Roller Derby Weekend!

Another busy weekend! Saturday was April's birthday, but since we were both going to be away we arranged a birthday dinner for her with some of the library people. We went to the Mercury Diner because...well, we initially wanted to go to Mangia Pasta, but evidently they're no longer in business! So Mercury Diner was April's second choice. She'd never been there, and neither had I. Have to say....really not impressed. I think it's WAY over-priced for mediocre food. Yea, not impressed. Not sure I'd go back. Bend has so many restaurants, why go to one that isn't great?
It was still fun though, had a good time.
But it wasn't a late night since both April and I had to get up early to leave for Portland. WE were going there with the roller derby gals to watch the Rose City Roller Girls bout the Rat City Roller Girls from Seattle. I rode up with Bawdy Czech (Emily), Mighty Muff (Chrissy) and Debbie. Oh, btw, my name went through, I'm officially Mistress Hush. WE were supposed to leave at 8:30, but didn't really get out of Bend until after 9:00, almost 9:30. Our plan was to go to Oaks Park in Portland and skate for a couple hours. Then go to our hotel, change and head off to the bout. Here are some of the ladies skating the hokey poky at Oaks Park. That's Wham Bam on her ass.
My shin splints were still causing me a great deal of pain, so I'd skate for a couple minutes, take a break, go back out, take a break and so on. This was quite the experience. They're really strict on their rules. Poor Muff broke 4 of them in under 10 minutes. You can't stand still, can't stop at the sides to talk to anyone, you can ONLY skate backwards in the center...and the best one of all, Muff was asked to put on another shirt because her BELLY BUTTON WAS SHOWING!!! Give me a friggin' break! Wow. Poor Muff was so pissed. She went and got her money back. She explained that she just didn't seem to be cut out for their skate rink. She was PISSED! As she should have been though, it was ridiculous. Four other derby girls also got in trouble. Don't weave, too fast, don't stop.....!!! Stupid.
So we headed off to our hotel. Most of the Derby girls were staying at the Jupiter Hotel and the after-party was at the Outlaws bar about a block away. We stayed at the TravelLodge across the street. I really want to stay at the Jupiter. Hopefully next time I'm in P'land. It's funky.

We were up there to watch the Rose City Rollers vs the Rat City Roller Girls. They were playing at the Expo center and had over 15,000 people in the audience. It was great. There were other leagues there form all over Washington, Oregon and even Idaho. Oh and one from Vancouver BC and one from California. We watched four teams from each league do a 20 minute bout. It was great, 'cause we got to see eight different teams, not just two. They were awesome! The bout started with this great funky marching band and dancers. Check out my LCRD gallery for more pics. Then they demonstrated, for those who don't know how roller derby works...and then the action was on!

They were great! Watching them really really really made me want to be able to skate. In some ways our league is as good...but you can tell that these two leagues are more established. They've been around longer, so everything is smoother. Great fun!!! This one is the Rose City Guns 'N Rollers vs the Rat City Sockit Wenches. The Sockit Wenches won. It was a good fight. The only one Portland one was the Break Neck Betties vs the Throttle Rockets.
Then it was off to the after party! I tell ya though...the first band was HORRIBLE!!! They were a garage band who should have stayed in the garage. Cross between punk and thrash...and off tune, loud and stupid lyrics. They were so bad we just got into it and embraced the badness! :) It was April's b-day, so she got lots of drinks. This is her birthday hug from me! Dame Deviant and Mistress Hush. :)

It was an ok time. Fun with the ladies, and some good music after the first band...but it wasn't as fabulous as it could have been. Of course, I was a little pissed about my $14 gin and tonic. I went and got my first drink, gave the bartender a $20 and later realized I only got $6 back. By that time it was too late, she would never have remembered who I was...and whatever. We had a good time. Some...like Vertigo :) should probably have stayed away from the hard liquor (she would up under the table...literally!) and others (MUFF!!) should have just used Red Bull and Jagermeister as an appetizer, not the main course! :) Stayed until about 1:00, but then I was done. Dead Air and I went back to the hotel together, others soon arrived back too. Except for those who seemed to have found...alternate places to sleep! :)

The next morning some of us went to breakfast and then it was the Critical Mass. Was supposed to start at 11:00, but they didn't get out until after 12:00. It's like the biking Critical Mass. Only problem...there weren't enough skaters to really stop traffic by the time they started. I don't have outdoor wheels and so I didn't go with. Here's Dead Air and I waiting around.

And waiting. And waiting....! On the far left is Nicole, or Speedy Bandito. That's April's back to me with the bunny hat. Then Dead Air and Brazen Broad. The others are from other teams.

And off they go! It started with a VERY steep driveway down from the Jupiter Hotel. Four people crashed there...it should have been an indicator. Especially for Beep. He was still drunker n...shite, had never skated outdoor and had no pads on! Silly boy.

'Cause this is what he did. And he had a HUGE blood blister on his foot too.

They skated all the way downtown, over the Burnside Bridge. Then back again, to a skate park for some fun and then back to the hotel. They were very tired skaters when they got back!

Which is why Muff passed out in the car on the way home. I was totally bushed by the time I got home!

Canada Goose shocker

So this morning, I'm driving up my street, look over and see this:

What the hell????????? :) Made me laugh so hard. I had to drive around the block again to take the picture. I mean, it's a trailer full of Canadian Geese!!!! At first I really did think they were real. That a bunch of them had nested in this trailer for the night.


No, of course they're fake birds. Not quite sure what they're for...do people hunt them? Either way it was a hilarious sight. Nice laugh to start the day....

The Newbery...and others

The American Library Association announced the 2007 award winners! I know, maybe not that exciting to non-librarians...but it's one of the biggest days for us. Here are some of the results:

Newbery - The Higher Power of Lucky by Susan Patron (huh, never even heard of it!)
Caldecott - Flotsam by David Wiesner
Printz - American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang (young adult, a GRAPHIC NOVEL, HOORAY! I'm currently reading it)

The Stonewall Awards won't be announced until tonight. I'd love to serve on one of those... but I'd need to start getting published, or at least having published reviews to get there. Maybe there's enough on my plate right now...

Takin' Monday off!

Indoor weekend! Sheesh. Been a busy couple days, Friday I spent quite a bit of time on the desk...about 5 hours in a row. One of my employees had to be with her son at the hospital, so I covered the desk 'til she could get back. Then I worked Sat for another of my employees who is on vacation. Then today I was at the HDC board "retreat."

I was accepted onto the HDC board, and am very excited about the possibilities for the organization this year. It's their 15th year in existence, so we hope to do a large donor drive and media campaign to get the work out there. The Human Dignity Coalition is very important to our community. They work for social justice for all people. Sexual orientation, race, different levels of ability and a variety of other things.

Here we are getting to know one another in pairs. Afterwards a couple of us shared our personal stories about why we got involved with HDC. It was really...good. It's great to hear why others got involved, and it's a great opportunity for each of us to really think about why we do what we do. This is in part in preparation for talking to donors. If you can put a personal face on issues, people understand better and are more willing to get involved or donate.

I've had a LOT of opportunity the last month or so for a lot of self reflection. It's not always easy ... but it's always good. I really thought about why I want to be involved with HDC. Obviously, sexual orientation and rights for LGBT was the initial reason I got involved. But racial justice and accessibility are also very important to me. After Kate's accident in 2002, I really saw how many places in Bend were NOT in compliance with ADA laws. It was amazing. There were a ton of places we could not go, because she was in a wheelchair and couldn't get in, or couldn't use the bathroom. Now, her situation was temporary...but it so easily could have been permanent. People should not have to live like that. And my friend Sylvia, she shouldn't be hated simply because of the color of her skin.

I got involved, because I never want anyone else to live with the fear and isolation I have. Nothing will ever change unless we stand up for what we believe in, and get involved. It's so easy for us to get wrapped up in our daily lives. It's really good to be reminded about the world beyond ourselves. Don't you feel better when you help? When you do something that might make a difference to the world? I bet you do.

So, I challenge you to find something to get involved with. If HDC sounds interesting to you, oh believe me, I can hook you up! :) Or, the COPY program I'm volunteering with is also a great cause. Or Nomad Charities or COBRA or Healing Reins or even the Humane Society. There are hundreds of worthy causes and organizations out there. Get involved. Live outside yourself. Not all the time, but sometimes. I'm not Mother Teresa, and will never be able to be quite THAT selfless. But we can each do our own part, right?

Oh, as for the title of this post...I plan on taking Monday off. I have one morning meeting... then I'm taking the rest of the day for myself. So selfish, right? :)

What's in a name?

A rose by any other name ...and all that stuff. I've got my derby name choices down to two now, but it got me thinking about names. What do they mean? Why do so many of us "epitomize" that name? According to others anyway. Do you think your name shapes who you are?

I was born Robin, but when I was adopted I was named and raised Chandra. Everyone says I'm "such a Chandra!" What does that mean exactly? Names have meanings, sure, but don't you think they have some sort other meanings? Names that are mousy, or strong, or...it's fascinating.

Ok, so for my derby names the two in contention are:
Mistress Hush
Lady Chaos.

Which do you think is more me? Mistress Hush seems to be winning so far. I really like both of them. Here's my chance to choose my name, one that suits me and embodies what I am. So if you, dear reader, have a particular preference....let me know asap! :)

Someone suggested that another alternative, 'cause I'm not really quiet, would be:
"Mistress Get the Hell Outta My Way or I put a Skate Wheel Through Your Temple!" Hee hee. I really do like that.

Can't lap her anymore!

Went swimming with Heidi tonight....and I seriously don't think I could lap her anymore! Last year when we first started swimming together I could lap her, but she's SO much faster then she used to be! :) Was still good, and I can stay in front of her. But I can't lap her. Or at least, not right now anyway.

Roller derby didn't go so well last night. After Sunday I was so excited, but I barely made it 20 minutes before I had to get off. 11:00 last night they were still very painful. Saw Jennifer again today, and she sure noticed. I'd been running out of my daily meds, do I'd been skimping, and I think that contributed to the problem last night too. If I'm not taking my full dosage I do get muscle cramps when exercising. Can't go this Sunday, since I have an HDC board meeting all day. So it'll have to wait 'til Tuesday. Then the following weekend I'm off to Portland with the roller derby girls to watch the Rose City Rollers vs Rat City. Now THAT is going to be fun!!!!! :)

Had a BBC executive meeting last night too. It was a great meeting, and we have some really exciting plans for this coming year. Roller derby hasn't replaced any of the other things I love ... I just have one MORE thing to love to do! Hee hee.

A little night snow shoe

Went for a night snow shoe last night with some Bellas. We went up to Meisner and we did a loop of about 4 miles. Went out along the ridge which looks back over Bend. It was so beautiful and peaceful. I wanted to go during the day, since I had it off, but so few others also had the day off. Oh well, night snow shoeing was fun too. Used my new show shoes for the first time, and they were great!





Colleen, our new librarian came with us. She took this picture and got her gloves in the way! :)

Tonight is a BBC executive committee meeting and then I go from there right to roller derby. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I can skate the whole practice again! I've almost got my name. The one I really wanted is already taken, and my backup may be too close to someone else. If that is the case I do have three or four that I could "settle" on. It's really hard! I'll let you know what I end up with.

HOORAY! I made it through one whole practice.

I am so freakin' stoked! I made it through a derby practice! I had to stop once or twice, but only for a minute or two. I couldn't do all the drills, but instead of stopping I'd just skate. Don't get me wrong, it still hurt, but nothing like before. Now it feels more like normal adjusting to a new sport, using your muscles in ways you haven't before. I'm so happy! :)

On Saturday LCRD had a skate-a-thon for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. They skated 26.2 miles each. We thought it was going to take longer, but the fastest was done in 1 hour 18 minutes. They were flying! I obviously couldn't skate, but I helped out counting laps. It was great.

Here are some of them getting ready. I was going to put on my skates, like Dead Air, and just roll around on them. It's ok that I didn't though...counting laps really took all of our concentration!

Beep explaining how it's going to work.

First lap of....let's see, 8 laps per mile, 26.2 miles...wow, 209 laps. I thought that they'd hit a wall at about mile 15 or so, but no. In fact, some of them seemed to be going faster at that time than when they'd started. It was pretty amazing to watch. Every twenty minutes or so they'd change directions for a while. It's really hard skating so much all in one direction. However, it made me job more difficult when I had two people going in opposite directions! :)

The final numbers aren't in yet, but I think we'll have made over $1,500 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Vertigo skated her laps for a young girl named Hannah who passed away from leukemia this past summer. She had her picture on her shirt. We actually took this picture to give to Hannah's father. Too late for her, but hopefully not for others.

After we had the LCRD awards dinner. Potluck and it was great. Watched videos of the bouts, and man it really fires you up. That's why I'm SOOOO happy that I was able to skate almost the whole practice today. Hooray

Went to the Grove after the dinner with the roller girls. LOL, yea, that was something. Here's one of our tables.

A present from Muff. I wasn't really that special though...I think she was giving them out to anyone showing cleavage! :)

Joyride and I comparing foot sizes. You know, no one ever really believes how small my feet are until they actually see them. I know, they are a bit freakishly small...but they sorta fit my body? Our heels are lined up. I just have small feet.

Back at my old job

Today I'm back working at Bend Children's again, covering while they're at a staff training. I miss working here. It's been....3 years? 3.5 years? since I worked here...but it still feels like home. But god it's hot in the children's department. A sweat box!!!! Good thing I wore short sleeves. Even with that I can feel myself start to sweat. Sheesh! It's nice to work here again every once in a while.

Had book club last night...only two of us showed up. Now, some people are sick, others out of town. As for the rest...not sure. I think that's my biggest irritation...people who can't commit, or say they're coming then just flake out. What's that all about? It's SO disrespectful. I know that maybe they don't see it that way...but that is the way it feels. Oh well. We still had fun. More chili for the three of us! :) Maybe it was the book too. We'll see next month.

Tomorrow is the LCDR skate-a-thon fundraiser for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. I still can't skate, but I'll be helping out. Should be fun, and it's a great cause. I've seen Jennifer 3 times now...or is it 4, so now the test comes to see if it's helped. I'm taking my "little brother" to the free skate at COISC tonight. Keep your fingers crossed that my shin splints don't act up...

Pimp My Bookcart!

I love my "Pimp My Bookcart" t-shirt my sister-in-law got me for Christmas! It's hilarious. And I think even non-librarians find it funny. It's by the Overdue Media guys, creators of Unshelved, a library-themed comic strip. They were the keynote speakers at our regional conference 2 years ago. They were great. This shirt started 'cause they did a sequence about a complaint about the magazine Slowrider, which resulted in a pimped out book cart. Read that week's strips and tell me that isn't funny!!!!

Well, they had such a good response from their readers they've started a Pimp My Bookcart contest. People are pimping them out and sending in pictures. I'll post a link when all the results are up. Can't wait to see them all!!! :) Anyway, I got this t-shirt for Christmas and wherever I wear it I get compliments. Hee hee. It's just sassy and fun. I'll tellin' ya, librarians rock! Other careers and occupations have comic strips and humour...and maybe I'm biased...but I think Unshelved is better than any of them.

I think this one might be my favourite. I don't know though, there are SOOOOO many good ones. I could post quite a few. You should see the staff room at the library,they're all over the kitchen cupboards.

But then there's this one:

And this one:Yea, not sure I can pick my favourite. I love them all.

New librarian

I'm so happy, our new teen librarian started today. She's in a split position between La Pine and Sunriver. I'm trying really hard to remember that she's just started, and I can't overwhelm her. The first week in a new job is always so overwhelming anyway...I want to make it as easy as possible for her. But....HOORAY!!!! :)

Saw Jennifer again today for my legs, and I'll see her one more time on Thursday before trying skating again next Sunday. I've been so good about drinking water too! When she first felt my legs she said that they felt like the legs of someone MUCH older than I am. I've done damage by being constantly dehydrated...and the not so great eating issues. But I'm devoted to fixing all that. So....drinking, drinking, drinking. Water that is. Of course, that makes me pee like a .... something.

One thing I've noticed ever since I've been drinking more water...I'm thirsty all the time! Well, I think that now that I'm trying to hydrate I'm starting to recognize the signs of thirst again. It's weird. Hmm.

Off to pee again...

Windy!

Man is it windy out there! Just spending a quiet evening at home reading, taking a bath...just relaxing. Had our monthly BBC meeting last night. Was really good. Heidi did a presentation on the trip she and Derek took this summer mt biking in Switzerland and France. She says it wasn't that hard...but I'm not sure I trust her judgement! :) She's one of the best bikers I've ever known!

Anyway, just a quiet night at home. I've been pretty busy lately, so this is just what I needed. Watched Millions again. It's wonderful. Based on a children's novel. If you haven't read it, you should. Don't assume that kids books are "beneath" adults. As I children's librarian I can guarantee you that the majority of kids books out there right now are WAY better than the majority of the adult novels! :)

Also went to see Jennifer yesterday. OUCH, OUCH, OUCH!!!! I seriously need to drink more water. Sigh. On average I can drink less than 8 oz in a day. I know, I know, I know! That's very bad...but I'm working on it. I need reminders, and bringing a water bottle with me is not enough. I need someone to say, how much water have you had to drink today? And then make me drink a glass right then. Sigh. Don't know why it's so hard for me...it just is. I hope she can help with the shin splints. But I also do know that staying hydrated will also help with this.

Ok.........so I've been looking at Loki. I'm starting to wonder if she's pregnant! She's frickin' huge!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I mean, seriously! She gets about 1/2 cup of food a day, so really shouldn't be gaining weight on that. However, I got her last year from the Humane Society, and so she should have been spayed, right? But here are some pictures of her:






Dread on the other hand is loosing weight. I just hope he's not sick. He's eating the same amount of food as Loki, she's gaining and he's loosing? Odd. So what do you think of the FAT LOKI? I should probably take her in to be looked at...

Stupid shin splints!!!!

Maybe that should be my derby name, Shin Splints! Sigh. Practice tonight was so painful and I only made it 30 minutes. Going to see Jennifer B on Thursday to start working on my legs. Those muscles are rock hard at rest. She's going to really need to pummel them...over and over and over again. I just really hope it works. I love roller derby!!! I don't want to have to quit.

April on the other hand is amazing! She really really is. I spent a lot of time watching them all tonight as I sat there with ice on my legs. She's definitely in the top 10...maybe top 5. I wanna skate like her! Actually, I'd just like to get through one practice without having to stop 'cause my legs are giving out. I do really enjoy just watching the ladies skate though. Wait, that sounds bad ... well, it's enjoyable for a whole bunch of reasons! :)

So keep your fingers crossed that Jennifer can fix the spasms and help me stretch out and strengthen those muscles.

HAPPY NEW YEAR'S

Ring in 2007, out with 2006...thank frickin' god!!!! Had fun last night. I think it was one of the best New Year's I've had in a very long time. I made a ton of food (see recipes below), 'cause April got stuck in Minessota when she was flying back from Michigan. I felt guilty and wanted to make the party easier on her. I made 2 types of baked brie (one with mango chutney and cashews, one with onions, dates and mushrooms), Moroccan salmon, hot nacho dip, spiced pretzels and then a champagne punch. Spent most of Sunday cooking then headed over to her place about 8:00. Here is some of the food:

Jimmy and Julie. And me on the side. I have more pictures on my Flickr's New Year's gallery.

Trying to get a shot of Emily and Julie...but Jimmy just HAD to be in the picture too! :) Emily is a roller doll. It was nice to have some of them there. Breaks up the usual crowd. Of course, I really hope we didn't scare them off!
Standing around waiting for the grill to heat up so we could melt our tin. On the window you can see my feather lights. I got them for my birthday a couple years ago...never thought I'd have a chance to use them...I mean really, how often does an occasion call for feather lights???
Ok, I suppose I should explain melting tin, right? :) It's a Finnish tradition (maybe other countries too). You melt some tin, pour it quickly into a bucket of cold water, and then you can forecast your coming year with the shape that it makes. You use your same tin year after year. The one I have I've used for four years now. I didn't get to do it last year, 'cause I was in Peru though. Liisa's been using the same tin since she was a small child. I love this tradition, and everyone who tries it at our New Year's parties it finds it fun too. Well, mostly anyway! :) You melt the tin in cast iron ladles and once it's completely molten you pour it in the water bucket.
April went first, since she was the hostess, and the youngest too. Hers turned out pretty cool. David and Lynne looking on...just to make sure she did it right! Poor Jamie. She finally decided she did want to do it...she was worried about getting a "bad" one. So instead, hers came out like a duck. Really truly it looks like a duck...and she's a Beaver's fan. Hee hee. There's a great picture on my Flickr gallery of Jamie and her duck! :)

This one is Sheila's. Look at it closely...it totally looks like an alien from the Alien movies with Sigourney Weaver! Not just an small alien head like others of us have, but a full on side view. Can you see it? Look closely. It is kinda hard to see in this picture...but if you ask Sheila to see it I'm sure she'll show you.

Watching some pre-midnight fireworks...or firecrackers I guess. That's Joy and her room-mates and Emily to the right. Oooh. Aaah. Oooo.

After midnight we did a white elephant gift exchange. I got that lovely talking wreath sitting in front of me. The bubble blowing gnome was Lynne's gift, but Sheila stole it from her. It blows bubbles out it's butt! Hilarious. I do think the "best" one was the cd case that April got from her brother this Christmas (immediate white elephant gift!). It's this fluorescent fuzzy...alien thingy that holds 25 cd's in it's tummy. I just have no idea what he was thinking when it bought it for her!

A New Year's hug from Jimmy. I got my neck lick earlier. It was very wet!

April and Sheila rockin' out in the kitchen. After cleaning up some stuff we needed just one more drink. Well, maybe we didn't need it, but you can't let champagne go to waste.

HAPPY NEW YEAR'S!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Everyone loved what I brought last night, so I said I'd blog the recipes. Here they are:

Cold Roasted Moroccan Spiced Salmon
Ingredients:
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3/4 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon mustard powder
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/8 teaspoon ground allspice
2 teaspoons white sugar
2 pounds (1-inch thick) boneless, skin-on center-cut salmon fillets
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice

Directions:
In a small bowl, combine the cinnamon, cumin, salt, ginger, mustard, nutmeg, cayenne, allspice, and sugar; set aside. Line a baking sheet with foil, then spray with nonstick cooking spray. Rinse the salmon with cold water and pat dry. Lightly sprinkle the skin with the spice mix, then place the salmon skin-side down on the prepared baking sheet. Sprinkle the remaining spice mix evenly over the salmon. Allow the salmon to come to room temperature, 30 to 40 minutes.

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C).

Sprinkle the salmon with lime juice and roast in the oven for 12 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to stand at room temperature for 15 minutes. The salmon will still be rare when removed from the oven, but will continue to cook as it rests. After 15 minutes, wrap the fish tightly with foil and refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving.


New Year's Champagne Punch
Ingredients:
1 quart orange sherbet
2 quarts fresh orange juice
1 (2 liter) bottle ginger ale, chilled
2 (750 milliliter) bottles champagne, chilled

Directions:
Place the orange juice, ginger ale, and champagne in the refrigerator to get them well chilled.
In a large punch bowl, place the block of sherbet in the center and pour the orange juice over the top. Next, pour the ginger ale over the sherbet. Finally, pour both bottles of champagne over the sherbet. Stir gently to mix the liquids, resulting in a foamy top. Serve immediately.

Stuffed Brie
Ingredients:
3 tablespoons butter
1 onion, chopped
2 cups fresh sliced mushrooms
1/2 cup dates, pitted and chopped
1 (8 ounce) wheel Brie cheese

Directions:
In a medium skillet over medium heat, melt butter and caramelize onions and mushrooms; add dates and warm mixture for about 2 minutes.

Slice the Brie wheel in half down the center so that there is a top and a bottom; fill with the onion mixture. Replace the top of the Brie. Microwave Brie for 1 to 3 minutes or until bubbly; serve.


Chutney Baked Brie
Ingredients:
1 (2.2 pound) wheel Brie cheese
2 teaspoons ground curry powder
1 (12 ounce) jar mango chutney
1 cup chopped cashews
1 French baguette, cut into 1/2 inch slices

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

Sprinkle curry powder over top and sides of Brie; rub the curry powder into the rind to thoroughly coat the surface. Place the Brie wheel in a large pie plate or oven proof dish. Spread a generous layer of chutney over the top, and evenly sprinkle with cashews.

Bake 15 minutes in the preheated oven, or until cashews are slightly golden and cheese inside the rind is melted. Serve with slices of baguette.


Hot Nacho Dip
Ingredients:
1 pkg cream cheese
3/4 cup sour cream
guacamole
beef chili
salsa
cheddar cheese
black olives, sliced
green onions, sliced

Directions:
Mix the sour cream and cream cheese together and layer in the bottom of a 9-inch glass pie dish. Layer on top of that guacamole, chili and salsa and top with cheese, black olives and green onions.

Bake in oven at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until cheese is bubbly.


Spiced Pretzels
Ingredients:
18 oz. pretzels
1 cup oil
1 pkg Original Hidden Valley Ranch dressing mix
1 tbsp. garlic powder
1 tbsp. oregano
1/2 tbsp. onion powder

Directions:
Mix ingredients, pour over pretzels. Stir and bake on cookie sheet 10 minutes at 350 degrees. Stir again and bake 10 more minutes. Pretzels will absorb the ingredients.