Tree Topper

 First an update on the ongoing battle with Facebook's AI...I received a notification that they changed their ruling on yesterday's post being spam and at some point would repost it. It never appeared on my home page though it did post so your guess is as good as mine on what's going on though I would hope they get their AI fine tuned before they jump into editing thing that don't need editing. With that said, on with today's offering. A family in Virginia had a surprise visit from a Barred Owl who flew down their chimney, then took his place of honor as the tree topper after pushing the star topper to the side. The Animal Welfare League were able to capture him then release him outdoors so he could continue making his rounds! 

It's Got To Be a Joke

Liquid Death, a US company selling sparkling water with heavy metal-style images and marketing has added yet another peculiar item to their stable of the odd. This time it's a pit diaper for those who don't want to leave the action at a concert to brave the bathroom scene. Would anyone really wear a pleather diaper complete with metal studs and chains?  I don't think they could be serious yet at $75 a pop they sold out. Some other items Liquid Death has offered are: misfortune cookies, a soap designed for psychopaths, and a can of their drink duct taped to a wall as opposed to a banana duct taped to a wall. 

 

Why?

 Speaking of greed and entitlement why do they give out million dollar gift bags at the Golden Globes? That is what this year's bag is worth and it doesn't make sense to give that away to people who can clearly buy most anything they want anyway and may not even want some of the items. What would make sense if for the various companies who want to ingratiate themselves with the elite to make a million dollar contribution to that stars favorite charity...then again maybe I'm just a Scrooge. 

    

1. ACX Access and Helsinki Citycopter: A private flight and stay in Finland to see the Northern Lights ($48,000, available to one recipient)
2. The Reserve at Grace Bay by Beach Enclave: Three-night stay in a beachfront villa in Turks and Caicos ($507,492, available to nine recipients)
3. Celestia Phinisi Yacht: Five-day luxury yacht charter throughout the Coral Triangle in Indonesia ($60,000, available to all 100 participants)
4. JOALI BEING: Five-night stay and wellness experience in the Maldives ($33,800, available to 50 participants)
5. L’Ermitage Beverly Hills: One-night stay in a Beverly Hills suite ($1,500, available to all 100 participants)
6. Mandapa, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve: Three-night stay in the Bali Jungle ($5,800, available to three participants)
7. Round Hill Hotel and Villas: Three-night stay in a 6-bedroom Caribbean estate villa ($35,000, available to one participant)
8. The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman: Five-night stay in a Grand Cayman resort ($55,000, available to all 100 participants)
9. The Tasman, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Hobart: Two-night stay and whisky experience in Tasmania, Australia ($4,935, available to five participants)

1. BEAU DOMAINE: The Fluid Cream ($209, available to all 100 participants)
2. Coyuchi: A choice of decadent organic-linen or cotton sateen sheets  ($572 – $1,392, available to all 100 participants)
3. CurrentBody: A cutting-edge LED Light Therapy Face Mask Series 2 ($469, available to all 100 participants)
4. Dr. Simon Ourian: A non-surgical Stemcell Facelift ($40,000, available to one participant)
5. EXPONENT: Vitamin C Serum and COQ10 ($98, available to all 100 participants)
6. FEMMUE: A kit of flowery skin-care essentials ($290, available to all 100 participants)
7. FORWARD__Space: A personalized, dance-focused workout and wellness experience ($15,000, available to 25 participants)
8. La Prairie: Pure Gold Radiance Concentrate serum ($935, available to 40 participants)
9. NB44: A custom-designed suit handcrafted in Italy ($11,400, available to three participants)
10. NordicTrack: A cutting-edge NordicTrack Ultra 1 treadmill ($15,000, available to four participants)
11. Perfumehead: An exquisite small-batch fragrance from the award-winning LA Collection ($615, available to 50 participants)
12. The Maybourne Beverly Hills: Oxygen Facial ($1,400, available to 10 participants)

Wine, Spirits, and Cigars

1. Casa Komos Brands Group: A rare bottle of Komos XO tequila ($2,000, available to 10 participants)
2. Casa Komos Brands Group: The celebrated collection of Reposado Rosa, Añejo Cristalino, Añejo Reserva, and Extra Añejo ($950, available to 15 participants)
3. Casa Komos Brands Group: A sustainability-minded trip to the Komos Foundation in Tequila, Mexico ($5,500, available to one participant)
4. Davidoff Cigars: A humidor made for travel ($440, available to 20 participants)
5. Isle of Harris Distillery: A bottle of The Hearach Single Malt Scotch Whisky and/or Isle of Harris Gin ($90 and $150, available to all 100 participants)
6. Liber Pater: Wine tasting and dinner experience in Bordeaux, France ($272,000, available to one participant)
7. Liber Pater: A trio of ultra rare 2015, 2018, and 2019 vintages ($34,8000, available to one participant)

Of Cabbages and Kings

The Walrus and the Carpenter by Lewis Carroll was thought by many to be a nonsense Victorian poem but was actually a jab at entitlement, greed, and the abuse of power. It's still strangely fitting today but I digress. The cabbage part is the key to today's post, as in ancient times it was thought that cabbage was the key to treating hangovers. The idea was that cabbage and the vine were enemies so to counter the vine you needed cabbage, some ate it raw or steamed while other actually wore a cabbage on their head. Other cures at the time involved wearing a garland of laurel around your neck, amethyst, and Pliny the Elder swore by raw owl eggs and fried canaries. Hope these hangover tips come in handy for those of you who over imbibe over the holidays. 

Fantasy Flight

 For 30+ years United Airlines has partnered with Make-A-Wish, Children's Hospitals, Girls Inc., Down Syndrome Association and various other organizations to bring holiday cheer to children age 3-10 by taking them on a fantasy flight to the North Pole. This year 13 cities around the world participated. First they load around a 100 kids on a plane decorated with streamers, paper snowflakes, and tufts of cotton, then the attendants haul a bubble machine up and down the aisle while  holiday songs play followed by a snack of apple slices and juice. After about 45 minutes they land at the North Pole where they are greeted by Santa and Mrs. Claus, elves, an ice cream truck and gifts. They then play games and do fun activities before it's time to board for the flight home. 

How the Cookie Crumbles

Today's post will look at the most popular cookies in the 50 states, once again courtesy of Google data.  Topping the list in several states are Italian Christmas cookies which are glazed with almond extract then covered in round sprinkles. The second position goes to gingerbread cookies (any shape counts). The rest of the list consists of various favorites like sugar cookies, shortbread, and snickerdoodles. Check the list for yourself to see the top cookies. 

1. Alabama // Oreo Cookies
   
2. Alaska // Gingerbread Cookies
   
3. Arizona // Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
   
4. Arkansas // Gingerbread Cookies
   
5. California // Christmas Monster Cookies
   
6. Colorado // Cookie Bars
   
7. Connecticut // Kitchen Sink Cookies
   
8. Delaware // Gluten-Free Cookies
   
9. Florida // Cake Mix Cookies
   
10. Georgia // Gingerbread Cookies
    
11. Hawaii // Sugar Cookies
    
12. Idaho // Italian Christmas Cookies
    
13. Illinois // Spritz Cookies
    
14. Indiana // Chocolate Peppermint Cookies
    
15. Iowa // Shortbread Cookies
    
16. Kansas // Christmas Crack Cookies
    
17. Kentucky // Snickerdoodle Cookies
    
18. Louisiana // Italian Christmas Cookies
    
19. Maine // Shortbread Cookies
    
20. Maryland // Christmas Crack Cookies
    
21. Massachusetts // M&M Cookies
    
22. Michigan // M&M Cookies
    
23. Minnesota // Crinkle Cookies
    
24. Mississippi // Sugar Cookies
    
25. Missouri // Snickerdoodle Cookies
    
26. Montana // Peppermint Cookies
    
27. Nebraska // Italian Christmas Cookies
    
28. Nevada // Italian Christmas Cookies
    
29. New Hampshire // Italian Christmas Cookies
    
30. New Jersey // Ricotta Cookies
    
31. New Mexico // Shortbread Cookies
    
32. New York // Chocolate Peppermint Cookies
    
33. North Carolina // No Bake Cookies
    
34. North Dakota // Sugar Cookies
    
35. Ohio // Cookie Bars
    
36. Oklahoma // Gingerbread Cookies
    
37. Oregon // Peppermint Cookies
    
38. Pennsylvania // Sprinkle Cookies
    
39. Rhode Island // Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
    
40. South Carolina // Peanut Butter Cookies
    
41. South Dakota // Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies
    
42. Tennessee // Almond Cookies
    
43. Texas // Italian Christmas Cookies
    
44. Utah // M&M Cookies
    
45. Vermont // Italian Christmas Cookies
    
46. Virginia // Thumbprint Cookies
    
47. Washington // M&M Cookies
    
48. West Virginia // Sugar Cookies
    
49. Wisconsin // Spritz Cookies
    
50. Wyoming // Peppermint Cookies

Round 2

 It's time for another dose of gift offerings, some of these are really out there though others might be just what someone on your list would enjoy. With that said here are the Round 2 selections. 

Cookie dough flavored whiskey

For the mechanic in your life an engine block coffee table

Pickle flavored toothpaste 

Grinch bong 

Dill pickle lip balm

Mouse shaped cat cave 

Christmas Puzzle

 For all you spy wannabes the UK's very own GCHQ (Government Communications Headquarters) in charge of electronic and cyber intelligence is sending out their yearly greeting card that doubles as several difficult puzzles about solving cyphers and finding clues. This year's challenge features seven puzzles plus several hidden elements for those who want an extra test. If you would like to give it a try the card can be downloaded at the GCHQ website. Happy puzzling! 

Rate Your State

Generally Americans love Christmas though not equally among the fifty states and some of the ratings are surprising. For instance most people would associate Alaska with Christmas since they have a lot of snow but Alaska is dead last for Christmas spirit which brings us to which state is the most Christmassy? Utah grabs the # 1 spot. Now for map and some lists so you can see where your state stands in the grand Christmas scheme! 

 

According to the findings, the top 10 states for Christmas-related searches are as follows:

1. Utah
2. Massachusetts
3. Virginia
4. Illinois
5. Washington
6. Texas
7. Maryland
8. Pennsylvania
9. California
10. New Jersey 

The 10 least Christmas spirited states 

1. New Mexico
2. Arkansas
3. Vermont
4. Maine
5. North Dakota
6. Mississippi
7. Montana
8. South Dakota
9. Wyoming
10. Alaska