We are in the home stretch now, after today the days will start getting longer. While we know for some of you this is no big deal, here in Washington state we really look forward to winter solstice. Going to work in the dark and coming home in the dark is not all that much fun. We look forward to it for another reason, it's Jenni's (our grandson's mother) birthday. Happy birthday Jenni!
      We think we're ready for Christmas but it seems like there are always some last minute things to do. Just to make sure everyone has a nice Christmas Marilyn even put out a Christmas tree for the birds. See our Kids Corner Project below.
      Since this is our last newsletter before Christmas we just want to say that we hope yours is the brightest and merriest ever. May all your Christmas dreams come true and we hope you have taken time this season to make someone else's dreams come true also. Merry Christmas!

     You are logged on to this newsletter as [[-Email-]] and receiving it because you are a friend of mine or a friend of theirs.
     If you would like to be removed from receiving this newsletter just send an email to unsubscribe@runnerduck.com leaving the Subject and Body blank.

Thank you,
Ken and Marilyn

VISIT OUR HOME PAGE AT www.runnerduck.com

Check Out Archive Newsletters Here

     It's absolutely amazing how many times a day someone tries to "ping" my computer. A "ping" is when someone on the outside tries to gain access to your computer. Most times it's harmless and from some company that is checking to see if you have the latest version of their software. The other occasions I don't know why it happens so much or what information they are looking for but it happens all the time. The reason I know this is because Zone Alarm the people who I got my firewall software from stops every one of them. A warning comes up on my screen and I can choose to reject the "ping" or accept it.
      Another thing this firewall software monitors is any program on your computer that tries to access the Internet. I would expect a program like Internet Explorer to require access to the web but why would my graphics program need it? That's right, every time I start Ulead's PhotoImpact I get a notice that it wants to access the Internet. I decline access every time and I see no difference in performance. If I didn't have Zone Alarm I'd never know that this was going on.
      If you have DSL or a cable modem I'd suggest getting a firewall like Zone Alarm and start monitoring what's coming into and going out from you computer.
      One more thing, some Grinch has put out another virus. This one has a lot of names but has been called the Christmas virus. This one comes into your email with a subject of Happy New Year and an attachment that looks like a cute Christmas animation as an exe file. According to McAfee.com it will overwrite some of your registry and can even disable your keyboard. It's sad but if you get an email with an exe attachment that you are not expecting verify it with the sender before you open it, otherwise delete it from both your inbox and your trash.

     Knowing that there are lots of kids home for the Holidays we thought a few pages to entertain them would be in order.
      The first one is a really fun snowman that you can dress up just about any way you want. Go to www.benjerry.com/fun/virtualsnowman.swf, click on the pictures at the top of the page and drag them down onto your snowman.
      Snow Boarding is big this season and here is a fun place to tune up your skills. You use the arrow keys to navigate your way around the course, www.quadgames.com/games/xtreme.html
      How about dressing up a skater and putting her on the cover of a magazine? www.postopia.com/ice/skate_fashions.jhtml will let you dress your model in a hundred different ways.
      Here are some more links to pages that have lots of activities and games just for kids.

• www.kidsdomain.com/games/winter.html
• www.quadgames.com
• www.candystand.com/default.htm

Please send me your favorite site. We all like RunnerDuck.com but we know there are lots more. Let me know and I'll share it with everyone. There are a billion sites out there and growing every day. I can't check them all out by myself so please share with us your findings.

     This project is strictly for the birds.

Here's what you'll need:

• A small Christmas tree, we used the top we cut off of our Christmas tree. You can also use a dead tree branch.
• 1 Apple
• Millet Spray, a naturally grown seed stick from Hartz.
• Dried bread, if it's not going to rain.
• Anything else that you can hand that the birds might like.
• A base for the tree to sit in.

Cut a tree top, or branch about 3 to 4 feet tall.
Mount it to a base. This can be a small tree stand or like the 2" X 6" we used.
Hang the bird treats on the branches to look like a Christmas tree.
Put it outside where the birds can get to it. If you are in a rainy area like we are you might try to put it under the eves or where the rain won't get to it.
It's most fun when it's where you can see the birdies feeding on your creation.

I think this is what they mean when they say "Merry Christmas everyone!"

     Send us a picture of your creation and we'll post it on our web page at RunnerDucklings Kids Corner.

Click HERE for a direct link to My First Accelerator^tm.

     We have a special on our RunnerDuck Christmas stockings at the RunnerDuck Goodies Store. These stockings are usually $12.99 but for the Holidays you can get them for just $7.99. Happy Holidays from the RunnerDuck Goodies Store.

Click here to Vote for this E-zine!

     Roger, one of the Tempos trumpet players is on the mend after blowing his back out. He won't be joining us for a wedding party we are playing for in Sumner, Washington but we expect him back soon.
      Once again we are saddened by the passing of another wonderful artist. Rufus Thomas influenced the lives of many musicians over the years including Ken's. Ken use to play with the Serfs back in the late 60's and played many Rufus Thomas songs. As a final tribute you can get The Best Of Rufus Thomas: Do The Funky Something at www.runnerduckmusic.bcentral-vstore.com

---

The RunnerDuck web site is hosted by

If you are looking for a great hosting service at a terrific price check them out at www.fastwirenetwork.com. If you mention that you heard about them from RunnerDuck you will get a $5.00 per month "duck discount" for as long as you have your account.

   THIS WEEKS FREE RECIPE

Nuggets     

This is a very traditional Christmas treat. We suggest making a double batch, you won't be sorry.

• 7/8 Cup Flour
• 1/2 Cup Butter
• 2 Tablespoons Sugar
• 1/2 Cup Chopped Nuts
• 1/2 teaspoons Salt
• 1 teaspoon Vanilla
• Powdered Sugar

     Be sure and check out our December recipe at the RunnerDuck Kitchen Store. We'd be happy to post your favorite recipe there or in our newsletter and give you credit. Just drop a line to marilyn@runnerduck.com

Cooking.com is having a 15% OFF Bakeware, Cook's Tools and Specialty Foods offer on orders over $50. Just enter Coupon Code C82823 at checkout. Expires 12/31/01. Take advantage of this offer by clicking on the banner below

ANNOUNCEMENT: Next week Martha Stewart.com will be back with RunnerDuck. Be watching for some great specials from Martha Stewart and RunnerDuck.

Pop Sickle Stick Manger Scene

     This project is a little deceiving in that it is not as simple as it looks.

• A bag of pop sickle sticks.
• 3 wooden clothes pins, not the spring type.
• Tacky glue

This project requires a little imagination and creativity. We are not going to go into great detail but just give you some basic guidelines.

The floor is pretty easy just leave room on the ends of the joists to attach the studs. We used some pieces to help keep the joists vertical. The floor joist spacing will need to match up with the rafters.
We made the rafters one on top of the other so they would each be the same.
Cut the tops of the studs to match the angle of the roof. Make then all the same length.
Basically, glue everything together to look like the picture.

For the people cut the clothes pins to different lengths.

For the manger make it a little longer than the baby and allow room for some straw.
The best I can say about the manger is follow the picture and again be creative.

That's it! Have fun with this project and don't get frustrated. It can be a little tedious but the results are worth it.

     We are always looking for new projects to feature in our newsletter. If you have a project that you would like to share please drop us a line and we'll help get it published in the RunnerDuck review. We are looking for woodworking, gardening, crafts and kids projects so send us your thoughts at projects@runnerduck.com.

     Have you seen the new LED (light emitting diode) Christmas tree lights? They are really cool and save tons of energy. While we know it's a little late to be buying lights for this year it's about to become a perfect time to buy lights for next year. Christmas lights generally go on sale right before or just after Christmas so it's a perfect time to get ready for next year.
      These LED lights can save around 80% to 90% over traditional lights. They cost a little bit more but will last for many years to come and will eventually save you money.

If you have a conservation tip please send it to duckmaster@runnerduck.com and we'll post it in our newsletter.

A man went to his dentist because he feels something wrong in his mouth. The dentist examines him and says, "that new upper plate I put in for you six months ago is eroding. What have you been eating?"
The man replies, "all I can think of is that about four months ago my wife made some asparagus and put some stuff on it that was delicious...Hollandaise sauce. I loved it so much I now put it on everything --- meat, toast, fish, vegetables, everything."
"Well," says the dentist, "that's probably the problem. Hollandaise sauce is made with lots of lemon juice, which is highly corrosive. It's eaten away your upper plate. I'll make you a new plate, and this time use chrome."
"Why chrome?" asks the patient.
To which the dentist replies,"It's simple. Everyone knows that there's no plate like chrome for the Hollandaise!