Canastanuts Newsletter

Head Admin – Imbacatya December 5th, 2007

Newsletter Editor – Mstery56 Volume 1 Issue 5

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! I absolutely love the holidays – the sights, sounds, smells and spending quality time with family. Yes, the Christmas spirit turns even cynical smart- mouthed me into a puddle of sentimental mush. (Don’t worry – I’ll clean up the mess.) By the time Thanksgiving weekend was over, I had already decorated my house (inside and out), done almost all my shopping, and started playing my collection of Christmas CDs. (Please don’t send me any hate mail.) I even decorated my classroom with a Christmas tree, poinsettas, and many, many strands of blinking lights. What will I do the rest of December, you might ask? Bake…….bake….bake……

Hope you have as much fun with your holiday season! Wishing all of my Canastanut friends a joyous holiday!

From the Desk of Bacatya

Happy Holidays to all the Canastanuts! This is a great time of year but also a stressful one. Please be patient and realize that there may be fewer tournies this month. Our TDs have family commitments just like the rest of us and may not be able to offer as many. This is also a time of year when fewer people sign up to play because we’re all very busy. Enjoy the times we can get together and play, and relax, knowing that we’ll be back to business as usual after the holidays. Oh yes, one more thing – try not to overeat, but if you do – you can always make a New Year’s resolution!

Recipe of the Month

by Phud Send recipes to newsletter@bacatya.com

Just click on the name of the cookie and bam the recipe is there. Good to keep handy.

1-2-3 Cookies 7 Layer Cookies Allie Nelson's Famous Snickerdoodle Cookies Almond Crescent Shortbread Amish Sugar Cookies Andies Candies Cookies Angel Crisps Angenets Applesauce Cookies Apricot Fold-Overs Aunt Edy's Molasses Crinkles Auntie Linda's Ginger Gems Bakeless Dream Cookies Banana Drop Cookies Best Chocolate Chip Cookies in the World Biscotti Biscotti Blueberry Cookies Boiled Chocolate Oatmeal Drop Cookies Bronwnies Brown Sugar Shortbread Brownie Cookies Brownie Delight Brownies Buccaneer Snowballs Buried Cherry Cookies Butter Cookies Butter Nut Balls Butterballs Butterscotch Haystacks C.O.P. Cookies Candy Cane Cookies Candy Cookies Caramel Shortbread Cheesecake Brownies Cherry Buns Cherry Crowns Cherry Winks Chewies Chewy Noels Chinese Chews/Haystacks Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Chocolate Chip Cookies Chocolate Chip Meltaways Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Cookies Chocolate Christmas Trees Chocolate Cream Cheese Squares Chocolate Crinkles Chocolate Mint Snow-Top Cookies Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies (no bake) Chocolate Snowball Cookies Chocolate Streusel Bars Chocolate Sundae Cookies Chocolate Walnut Crumb Bars Choco-Scotch Crunchies Choose A Cookie Dough Recipe Christmas Crackers Christmas Crunch Bars Christmas Ginger Snaps Christmas Macaroons Christmas Mice Cookies Christmas Shaped Cookies Church Window Cookies Coconut Cookies Congo Squares Cookie in a Jar Corn Flakes Cookies Cornflake Christmas Wreaths Cowboy Cookies (oatmeal) Cream Cheese Cookies with Apricot Filling CrÃ¨me De Menthe Chocolate Squares CrÃ¨me Wafers Crescent Cookies Crispy Crunchies Date Nut Balls Date-nut Pinwheel Cookies Diabetic Peanut Butter Cookies Disgustingly Rich Brownies Doodles Double chocolate chip cookies Double-Chocolate Crinkles Eatmore Cookies Eggnog Cookies Elizabeth's Sugar Cookies Elves Quick Fudge Brownies Emily Dickinson's Gingerbread Cookie Recipe Emily's Best Brownies Famous Oatmeal Cookies Firemen Cookies Fluffy Shortbread Cookies Forgotten Cookies Frosted Peanut Butter Brownies Fruit Cake Cookies Fruitcake Squares Fry Pan Cookies Gems Ginger Cookies Ginger Crinkles Gingerbread Baby Gingerbread Cookies with Butter Cream Icing Gingerbread Men Gingerbread Men Ginny's Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookies Glory's Golden Graham Squares Glory's Sugar Cookies Gramma Chapman's chocolate coconut drops Grandma Elsie's Zimt (cinnamon) Cookies Grandma J's Butter Cookies Grandma Olson's Parkay Cookies Great Grandmothers Sugar Cookies Gum Drop Cookies Gumdrop Gems Haystack Cookies Ho-Ho Bars Holiday Cereal Snaps Holiday Chocolate Butter Cookies Holiday Raisin Walnut Bars Holly Cookies Hungarian Cookies (Little Nut Rolls) Ice Box Cookies Irresistible Peanut Butter Cookies Italian Cookies Jacob's Peppermint Snowballs Jam Bars Jessica's Famous Brownies Jessie's Chocolate Chip Cookies Jubilee Jumbles Juliet's Peanut Butter Blossoms Jumbo Chocolate Chip Cookies Kentucky Colonels Kiefle (cream cheese cookies with jam filling) Kifflings Kiss Cookies Lacy Swedish Almond Wafers Lemon Angel Bar Cookies Lemon Bars Lemon Cake Cookies Lemon Cream Cheese Cookies Lemon Squares Linzer Tarts Log Cabin Cookies Luscious Lemon Squares M&M Cookies Magic Cookie Bars Melt in Your Mouth Cutout Sugar Cookies Melting Shortbread Meme's Cream Cheese Cookies Milk Chocolate Florentine Cookies Mincemeat Cookies Mincemeat Goodies Molasses Cookies Molasses Forest Cookies Molasses Sugar Cookies Mom Mom's Crescent Cookies Mom-Mom's Ginger Cookies Mom's Nutmeg Sugar Cookies Mom's Old Fashion "Puffy" Sugar Cookies Monster Cookies Moravian Christmas Cookies Nana's Famous Soft Southern Cookies Nitey Nite Cookies No Bake Chocolate Cookies No Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies No Bake Cookies No Bake Cookies No Bake Peanut Butter Cookies No-Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies No-Bake Cookies Norwegian Sugar Cookies Nut Balls Oatmeal Bars Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Nut Cookies Oatmeal Coconut Crisps Oatmeal Cookies Oatmeal Scotchies Old Fashioned Sugar Cookies Ooey Gooey Caramel Chocolate Dunk Ooey Gooey Squares Orange Slice Cookies Parking Lot Cookies Peanut Blossoms Peanut Butter Bars Peanut Butter Blossoms Peanut Butter Cereal Cookies Peanut Butter Chewies Peanut Butter Chocolate Bars Peanut Butter Cookies Peanut Butter Cookies Peanut butter fingers Peanut Butter Reindeer Peanut Butter Surprises Peanut Marshmallow Cookies Pecan Puff Cookies Peppermint Snowballs Peppernuts Persimmon Cookies Persimmon Cookies Petey's Yummy Spicy Almond Thins Pfeffernuesse Pffefferneuse Cookies Pineapple Filled Cookies Pizzelles Potato Chip Cookies Potato Flake Cookies Praline Cookies Praline Strips Pterodactyl Nests Pumpkin Bars Pumpkin Bars Pumpkin Chip Cookies Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies Pumpkin Cookies Queen Biscuits Quick Cookies Raised Sugar Cookies Raisin Filled Oatmeal Bars Raspberry Meringue Bars Really Peanutty Butter Cookies Reese`s Brownies Reese's Peanut Butter Bars Rich Flavor Christmas Cookies Rich Lemon Bars Ricotta Cheese Cookies Royal Almond Christmas Bars Rudolph Cinnamon Cookies Russian Tea Cookies Russian Teacakes Samantha & Kelsey's Chocolate Chip Cookies Sand Art Brownies Santa Claus Cookie Pops Santa Claus Cookies Santa's Butterscotch Melts Santa's Shorts Santa's Special Squares Scotch Cakes Scotch Shortbread Scotcharoos Scotcheroos Seven Layer Cookies Short Bread Cookies Shortbread Skor Squares Snicker Doodle Cookies Snickerdoodles Snickerdoodles Snow Balls Sour Cream Apple Squares Sour Cream Christmas Cookies Special K Cookies Spice Cookies Spicy Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Spritz Cookies Stained Glass Window Cookies Stir & Drop Sugar Cookies Sugar Cookies Sugar Cookies Sugar Cookies Swedish Pepparkakor (Pepper Cake) Cookies Swedish Sugar Cookies Sweet Marie's Swiss Treats Taralle (Italian Cookies) Tea Time Tassies Texas Brownies The Best Shortbread in The World Thumbprint Cookies Thumbprint Cookies Toffee Squares Traditional Christmas Sugar Cookies Traditional Gingerbread Men Cookies Triple-Chocolate Chip Cookies Ultimate Chocolate Chip Cookies Vanilla Waffer Balls Walnut Butter Cookies Walnut Crumb Bars White Chip Chocolate Cookies Wild Oatmeal Cookies Will's Famous Apple Jack Cookies Yummy Yummy Peanut Butter Blossoms

Cookie recipe links courtesy of Bac.

At the Movies with Joe

if you notice, new movies are released on a friday or sometimes a saturday.there however was one that was released not on friday or saturday, but a monday..........why a monday you ask? the name of the move in question is little gaints(ed o'neil and rick moranis)and the reason for the monday release was because the 2 teams that played each other in the movie( the little gaints and liffle cowboys) just happen to be playing in that nights monday night football game.............and for you sports fans, the real cowboys beat the real gaints that night......this is a good movie which i would recommend to all my fellow nuts

Minister’s Corner by Scott

A Scent of Roses

Chestnuts roasting on an open fire.......Oh boy it's that time of year again. No matter how old I get at this time of year I become a boy again. It's not the gifts, it is just the atmosphere and smells that excite me. Warm fires, good food, and great friends and family, seem to make the season the most wonderful time of the year. As we celebrate the secular aspect of the holidays let us never forget that this is a celebration of the birth of Christ. The greatest gift you can give to anyone is the love of Jesus that you have in a great abundance in your heart. My prayer is Lord let me celebrate in such a way that I always lift up the name of Christ and always remember, even if it has become a cheesy saying : that Jesus is the reason for the season......Amen

Health Nut by Jen

Stress Overview:

Everyone is familiar with stress. We experience it in varying forms and degrees every day. In small doses, stress can

actually be beneficial to us. It is only when the stress becomes too great, affecting our physical or mental functioning,

that it becomes a problem.

In small doses, stressors can help give us increased energy and alertness, even helping to keep us focused on the problem

at hand. This type of stress is good. People may refer to the experience of this type of stress as feeling "pumped" or

"wired." As the level of pressure gets too great, stress eventually surpasses our ability to cope with it in a positive way.

 Often, people describe themselves as being stressed out, burned out, or at wits end. At this point, it is important to find

 positive and productive ways to deal with the stress and, more importantly, to address the person or situation that is

causing the stress. Everyone reacts to stress differently. Each of us has a different level of pressure and anxiety that

we can handle without a bad outcome. Only you can assess your level of tolerance to stressful situations. The best treatment

 for stress is to prevent getting into situations that are likely to overwhelm your ability to cope. This is not always

possible because the stressors may often come from outside sources that are beyond your control.

Stress Causes:

The following are risk factors for uncontrollable stress:

Social and financial problems

Medical illness

Lack of social support

Family history

Stress Symptoms:

Stress usually first affects the inner emotions. Initial symptoms may include the following feelings:

Anxiousness

Nervousness

Distraction

Excessive worry

Internal pressure

These emotional states can then begin to affect a person's outward appearance:

Unusually anxious or nervous

Distracted

Self-absorbed

Irritable

As the stress level increases, or if it lasts over a longer period of time, a person may begin to feel more severe

emotional or physical effects:

Excessive fatigue

Depression

Sometimes even think of hurting yourself or others

Headaches

Nausea and vomiting

Diarrhea

Chest pain or pressure

Heart racing

Dizziness or flushing

Tremulousness or restlessness

Hyperventilation or choking sensation

In most cases, these symptoms are very minor and don’t last very long. If they become more severe or increase in frequency

and severity, seek medical help. You should call your doctor when you are unable to identify the source of your stress or

anxiety and if the condition continues or comes and goes.

If, in conjunction with your friends, family, or spiritual advisers, you cannot identify a source or solution for your

anxiety and stress, your first resource should be your doctor. A physical problem may be causing your symptoms. There may

be a hidden cause that requires the assistance of a counselor to help uncover. Once your doctor has ruled out a medical

cause for your symptoms, your doctor can be a great resource for other options in treatment of your stress symptoms.

Primary care doctors have many resources that they can use to help get to the source of your stress. You should never be

embarrassed about your situation or the fact that you are seeking help. It is the doctor’s role to help.

Remember, the sooner you get help, the sooner you will feel better. If you are having physical symptoms that seem either

unrelated to stress or are worse than you have experienced in the past, you should consult your doctor immediately.

You should call 911 or go to the nearest hospital’s emergency department if your stress is resulting in any of these

symptoms:

Thoughts about harming yourself

Thoughts about harming others

Chest pain

Fluttering or rapid heartbeats

Headaches unlike your usual headaches

Any condition that you feel might cause you serious harm if not treated immediately

When you find yourself feeling the bad effects of stress, you need to take action immediately. The sooner you begin the

process of treatment, the easier it will be and the quicker you will be back to your normal state.

The first step in the process is to try to identify the cause of the stress. Sometimes this is a known source such as a

deadline at work, a pile of unpaid bills, or a relationship that is not working out. It can at times be more difficult to

find the source of your problem. Often, many relatively mild stressors occurring at once can bring on the same stress as a

larger problem or known source of anxiety or worry.

Some people experience stress from events that occurred in the past (post-traumatic stress disorder).

If you can identify the source of your stress, remove yourself from it or address the situation. That may be all that is

needed to resolve the situation and your anxiety. Even if you are only able to get away for a few seconds or minutes, the

break is important and can help you on the way to a more permanent solution.

This break can be accomplished by physically removing yourself from the provoking situation (such as an argument) or mentally

removing yourself from the stressor (such as financial worries) through a mental distraction, often called a time-out.

The point of these actions is to allow you a moment to relax and formulate a plan for dealing with the problem at hand. Just

having a plan can be a great stress reliever. It gives you a set of positive steps that you can work on to get yourself back

to your baseline and out of the stressful situation.

These steps should be broken down into tasks you can accomplish easily. Working toward a goal is rewarding. It prevents the hopelessness and lost feeling that can accompany stress and make it worse.

If you are unable to determine the source of your stress, you need to seek outside help. Sometimes discussing your situation with family, friends, or a spiritual adviser can be helpful. If these routes are not successful, you should make an appointment with your doctor or a mental health counselor to help determine the source of the stress and rule out any potentially reversible medical causes of your stress.

You can take steps to prevent stress in your life.

PREVENTION

Set realistic goals and limits for yourself.

Put things into perspective and try not to get upset about insignificant or relatively unimportant matters.

Take stress, time management, or anger management classes.

Find activities that you enjoy and set aside time to participate in them on a regular basis.

Participate in regular physical exercise.

Maintain a positive outlook.

Set goals and break them into easily achievable tasks.

Reward yourself for the good things that you do each day

PLEASE DONT STRESS YOURSELF OUT THIS HOLIDAY SEASON ONLY PLAN TO DO WHAT YOU HAVE TIME TO DO.

MAKE TIME FOR YOURSELF AND REMEMBER THE HOLIDAYS ARE MEANT TO BE ENJOYED WITH LOVED ONES THEY

REALY WONT CARE IF YOU DONT GET THAT SET OF LIGHTS UP.

December Birthdays

3- SCOTT_GRANT84

4 ~ WV_ANGEL47

5 ANGEL_N_PATRICK1991

November Tourney Winners

abfalter1977 2

a_4x4momma_maine 3

befree14ryhme2002 1

betty_brown94 1

bigsispat 1

bilbo1962us 5

bud8753 1

cgkelly01 2

cheeky_babe0 2

countrygirl92410 1

gestes1 4

IMBACATYA 9

Kimberlyjorucker 3

ladysue58 1

liloldme57 2

love_gmamoocow 1

majormomof3 4

mello7593 1

mrmello7593 1

MsMandy2u2 4

mstery56 8

NoWinner 9

phud_mi 1

POOPNOODLE69 3

RED3BANDIT 1

scott_grant84 4

SHE_ADM 6

sweetcake_467 9

that_fantastic_place 3

will_td4nuts 13

Carol’s Crafts

Sparkling Beaded Napkin Rings

Your child can help you set a pretty holiday table, with these easy to make beaded napkin rings. This is also a festive touch to a New Year's Eve party table. Easy enough for little fingers and a super holiday craft for classrooms, Sunday school or scout troops! Supplies: Tinsel pipe cleaners (craft store) Metallic shiny pony beads Directions: Simply bead approximately 24 beads to the pipe cleaner, leaving about 2” on each end. Make a circle with the beaded segment and secure by twisting the pipe cleaner once or twice. Then loop the remaining pipe cleaner segment around a pencil to make the curly design on top. Variation: Use two pipe cleaners for each napkin ring. This provides extra pieces to swirl and add more glitter effect.

Mary Mayhem

A contestant on "Who Wants to be a Millionaire?" had reached the final plateau.

If she answered the next question correctly, she would win $1,000,000. If she answered incorrectly, she would pocket only the $32,000 milestone money.

And as she suspected it would be, the Million-dollar question was no pushover.

It was, "Which of the following species of birds does not build its own nest, but instead lays its eggs in the nests of other birds?

Is it:

A) the condor

B) the buzzard

C) the cuckoo

D) the vulture

The woman was on the spot. She did not know the answer. And she was doubly on the spot because she had used up her 50/50 Lifeline and her Audience Poll Lifeline. All that remained was her Phone-a-Friend Lifeline. The woman hoped she would not have to use it because .. Her friend was, well ... Blonde.

She had no alternative. She called her friend and gave her the question and the four choices. The blonde responded
Unhesitatingly: "That's easy.

The answer is C: the cuckoo."

The contestant had to make a decision and make it fast. She considered employing a reverse strategy and giving Regis any answer except the one that her friend had given her. And considering that her friend was a blonde, that would seem to be the logical thing to do. But her friend had responded with such confidence, such certitude, that the contestant could not help but be persuaded.

"I need an answer," said Regis.

Crossing her fingers, the contestant said, "C: The Cuckoo."

"Is that your final answer?"

"Yes, that is my final answer."

Two minutes later, Regis said, "That answer is...Absolutely correct!!

You are now a millionaire!"

Three days later, the contestant hosted a party for her family and friends, including the blonde who had helped her win the
Million dollars.

"I just do not know how to thank you," said the contestant. "How did you happen to know the right answer?"

"Oh, come on," said the blonde..."Everybody knows that cuckoos don't build nests. They live in clocks."

Ask Will

Send questions to newsletter@bacatya.com

DEAR WILL, WHY IS IT THAT WE TDS POST RULES IN 2 DIFFERENT PLACES ON OUR TOUNRNEY PAGES...SOME SPAM RULES IN LOBBY AND STILL SOME MEMBERS STILL HAVE NO CLUE?? WE ALL HAVE TO CLICK THE BUTTON THAT WE HAVE READ THE RULES WHEN JOINING THE TOURNEYS BUT YET THEY STILL ASK "WHAT WE PLAYING" "WHATS THE RULES" "WHAT YOU MEAN I DQ?" I MEAN COME ON WHAT ELSE CAN US, AS TDS, DO TO GET SOME OF THESE PEOPLE TO GET WITH IT???

SIGNED

PISSED TD

Dear Pissed TD,

Believe me, as a fellow TD I understand how you feel. At times members who need constant reminders can be a bit troublesome especially if we TD’s are already not having a good day. But, we must remember, some people have more trouble understanding things then others. We all, before becoming TD’s, have been in the position whomever you are referring to are in. Patience is a virtue remember. Remind them to read the rules before hand. I am sure you are not the only TD that feels this way, but some take longer to learn than others. Also members…be sure to read the rules…as TD’s can get testy if you keep asking the same questions over and over again. We try to be patient, but we are human just like you and prone to frustration. Both Member’s and TD’s need to do their part. The best we TD’s can do is be patient.

Love

Your Nutty Advice Giver

Will

Fun Fact of the Month

Ronald McDonald is considered the second most recognizable character in the world, after Santa Claus and ahead of Mickey Mouse.