If you have kids who love video games, particularly boys, you may have heard them talking or asking about some recently released games like Bioshock 2 or Mass Effect 2.  Don’t worry if you feel like your kids are speaking a foreign language when they ask you about games;  I want to help.  First of all, make sure you familiarize yourself with the ratings system for video games.  Just like movies can be rated PG-13 and R, games can be rated T (for Teen) or M (for Mature, 17+).

Second, use the tools you have at your disposal.  One resource I’ve appreciated is a site called What They Play.  This is a site for parents full of reviews on the games your kids are talking about, what’s in them, which games are good, and even games you can consider as positive alternatives to the games they want and you don’t want them to have.  You can reach the site at www.whattheyplay.com or by clicking the link above.

Posted: February 11th, 2010 under Cool Websites, Helpful Info, Show Notes.
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In this time of year, a war is being waged.  It is a war against your car and its tires, and the weapons of that war are giant, gaping holes in the road.  There’s nothing quite as bad as your jaw slamming shut and your entire body shaking, while you cringe at the noise of your fender slamming into the road because your tire just disappeared into a bottomless pit.  And sometimes it’s because you just can’t see them.  Sure, that shortcut was good during the summer, but now, you may want to stick to the highway just so you’re not swallowed up on your way to work.

So lets work together to stay informed.  I’ve put a map below.  If you know of a particularly nasty section road in Eastern Iowa, or the location of the biggest pothole you’ve ever seen, leave the address in the comments and I’ll add it to the map, so others can be aware of those spots as well.

View Eastern Iowa Potholes in a larger map

Posted: February 5th, 2010 under Helpful Info, Show Notes.
Comments: 2

Here are some fall recipes to help bring the scent and taste of Fall into your home.  Remember, if you have a favorite recipe, share it in the comments, or drop it to me on email at studiomike@life1019.com.  Enjoy! Read more »

Posted: October 16th, 2009 under Helpful Info, Show Notes.
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Some identify with Fall by the colder weather outside.  Another may look for the changing colors of the leaves as a sign that Fall is finally here.  It may betray the type of person I am, but I identify Fall by the scents that come from the kitchen.  This week, it’s been one of the sweeter smells of Fall: pumpkin.  My wife is a particular fan of the pumpkin flavor and so far we’ve had pumpkin pie, and last night we made Pumpkin Spice Bars; Fall is here.  Thankfully, there are a lot more great Fall foods to look forward to and I’d love to know what your favorite fall recipes are.  Click here to email me your favorite fall recipe and I’ll post it here so others can enjoy some of the best scents and tastes of fall.

Posted: October 14th, 2009 under Helpful Info, Show Notes.
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Growing up, one of the great fall traditions was when my Grandma would come over and she and my mom would spend the day making applesauce.  The house would fill the scent of cooked apples.  Not only was it a great sign of the fall, but it meant we had amazing home-made applesauce to eat the whole year.  So I was excited last year, my wife and I went to an orchard near us to get some apples that we could use to make applesauce.

Since it’s fall, I thought I’d try to help you out if you want to head to an orchard near you and get some apples for applesauce or other fresh fruit.  I’ve put together a map (via Google Maps) that shows quite a few Eastern Iowa Orchards.  Zoom in and out and grab the map to move around and find an orchard near you.

If you have one you enjoy going to that’s not on my map, post it in the comments and I’ll try to add it!  Otherwise, enjoy some family fun and large supply of tasty home-made applesauce! And, if you have any good applesauce recipes you want to share, post them in the comments below! I’ve included two apple recipes from my wife (which I highly suggest)!

Swedish Apple Pie

Fill an 8×8 pan ¾ full of peeled/sliced apples

Sprinkle apples with 3 T sugar and 1 t cinnamon

In a separate bowl mix:

1 c flour

1 c sugar

¾ c melted butter

1 egg

Spoon the mixture over the apples.

Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes.  Serve warm
Applesauce

Wash and quarter apples (softer, sweeter varieties work best)
Boil apples until super soft
Run apples through a food mill, grinder, food processor, etc.
Taste – add sugar or cinnamon if you like

View Eastern Iowa Orchards in a larger map

Posted: October 8th, 2009 under Helpful Info, Show Notes.
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