Margie's Fun Friday

Margie: Today is Black Friday which means all the folks will be out looking for sales. Not this girl. People go crazy on this day every year which is why you won't find me leaving the house!

Besides, nobody has given me a bailout so I can't even afford a sale this year. For those of you who do plan to shop today, here's something to think about before you go.

Happy Thanksgiving

We wish you all a happy, healthy, and safe Thanksgiving!!

Love, Margie and Edna

Margie and Edna's Thanks

Margie: Edna, I have a lot to be thankful for this Thanksgiving as I'm sure most people do. I hope our readers will share with us some of the things they're thankful for this holiday.

I am most thankful for my health. Having good health at our age might be considered a miracle. I try to eat healthy and drink my Special tea. That surely fights the germs.

I'm also grateful that I have a roof over my head and food to eat. I'm grateful for all my dear friends and everyone who visits us in the Basement.

What are you thankful for, Edna?

Edna: Well sister, I'm also thankful for all of our friends and family, and all of our lovely visitors here at the basement. You all keep two old ladies happy, so thank you.

I'm also thankful that as many bad things in this world that I've seen, I can still laugh. Laughter is the best medicine, you know, and it's kept me healthy and young at heart all these years.

Qualities of A Gentleman

Image Courtesy the NYPL Digital Gallery

Margie: I know a lot about gentlemen and I'm here to tell you what to look for if you want a real man.


1. A gentleman has honor. He is honest and his word is his bond. He doesn't lie, cheat, or steal and he's certainly not a criminal.

2. A gentleman has self control. He isn't abusive and he doesn't fly off the handle at the drop of a hat. He doesn't drink to excess or partake of any other vices.

3. A gentleman is kind, mannerly, and compassionate. He has a good upbringing and respects all humans and creatures. He never raises his voice and is comfortable in any situation.

4. A gentleman is chivalrous. He treats everyone with respect. He holds the door for a lady, never walks ahead of her, and is concerned for her feelings. If he says she's the only one for him then he means it.

5. A gentleman has a delightful sense of humor. He does not, however, tell vulgar jokes especially in mixed company. He laughs with you and not at you.

Edna, do you have anything to add? I doubt you've ever known a gentleman.

Edna: Margie, I suppose you're right. Folks, she's known more gentlemen than I have, so I suppose you'd best listen to her.

Edna's Fun Friday

Once again, it's time for Fun Friday here at the Basement.

Big-screen flibbertigibbet Carole Lombard with William Powell in "My Man Godfrey"

Edna: This may surprise some of you readers out there, but in my younger days I was a bit of a feather-brained flibbertigibbet. I simply had a lot of thoughts to express, so I talked--a lot--to everyone. (Well, Margie still complains that I talk too much, but then she's usually complaining about something so I barely even listen to her anymore. I'd advise you all to do the same). I've mellowed some in my old age, but I still have some days where the thoughts get to a-whirlin' around in my head. When that happens, I've just got to do something to calm down, or "center" myself (as those new-agey hipsters like to say).

When I get so that I can't even hear myself think, I sit down, close my eyes, and take a listen to this song. It never fails to remind me of who I really and truly am, deep down inside. I wanted to share it with you all today, I surely do hope that when you listen to it, it calms and soothes you as much as it does me.

Have a fun Friday!

*image property of Universal Studios

The Secret's in the Sauce

Image courtesy of Duke University Libraries Digital Collections

Edna: Margie, with Thanksgiving coming up, people's minds seem to be on what they're going to serve for dinner. Why, just the other day, Darcy Hawkins asked me for my cranberry sauce recipe.

Margie: Edna, I hope you didn't give it to her since you're no cook. If you made cranberry sauce you'd only do it to spite me. I hate that stuff.

Edna: More for me, then. And you can just hush up about my cranberry sauce, I'll have you know that it's always in demand at church suppers.

It did give me pause when she asked for the recipe though, since I never wrote it down. I cook like Mama did, from memory and by improvising. Here's what I came up with for Darcy, I hope it turns out well for her.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Edna's Cranberry Sauce

1 12-ounce bag fresh cranberries, rinsed
3/4 cup water
1/4 cup orange juice
1/2 cup sugar (more or less to taste)
1 cup grated apple
1 cup coarsely chopped walnuts
orange zest (if desired)

In Corningware or enamel saucepan, combine the water and OJ. Using medium heat, stir the sugar into the liquid until it's dissolved. Add the washed cranberries to the mixture and turn heat on high. Stirring the berries occasionally, listen for the berries to start popping--this should take about 10 minutes or so. Once the berries begin to pop, stir the mixture occasionally and cook for about 5-10 minutes over high heat. (Cook for longer if you want the berries to break down more and your sauce to be thicker; the less you cook them, the more the berries keep their shape and consistency and the thinner your sauce is. However, if you are going to cook the sauce for more than 10 minutes, reduce the heat to medium to prevent scorching.) After you have cooked the cranberries as long as you want, remove from heat and add the apples and the walnuts (and orange zest, if desired). Let the sauce stand for about an hour before putting it in the refrigerator to chill, preferably overnight. Do not store in a metal container due to the high acid content of the sauce.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Margie: Edna, you sully Mama's memory because she was a wonderful cook. What you call cooking would only be fit for pig slop.

You know what? It's not in demand at church suppers. People are just being mannerly to an old lady by taking some.

Edna: I suppose they were being mannerly by eating it all and coming back for seconds, too? Well that's just fine Margie, you don't have to eat any of my cranberry sauce when I make it for Thanksgiving dinner. Cousin T and will eat it all ourselves. Don't you think I'll share any of that pecan pie I'm making, either.

Margie: Thank you, Edna. That's right kindly of you.

Moving Pictures

Image property of The Walt Disney Co.

Margie: Edna, remember what fun we had when Daddy would take us to the moving pictures?

Mama wasn't so sure young ladies belonged there but Daddy overruled that notion.

Edna: Well, I've always thought that those Saturday afternoons at the picture show was what started my life-long love of movies, and television later. There's nothing like a good story to take you away, and that is the truth.

My lands, the things they'd show in those days! Newsreels, cartoons, such like you'd never seen before. What a wonder it all was.

Margie: It sure was a wonder. Daddy would explain why the newsreels were important and I still love watching the news.

The cartoons were the best. They don't make them like that anymore. Which was your favorite, Edna?

Edna: Well, I always did think that Betty Boop had style, she sure was fun to watch and she always made me giggle. What about you Margie, which one was your favorite?

Margie: I always loved Mickey Mouse. I met him once when I went to Disney World. Very sweet mouse.

Edna, I bet you don't know what happened on this date in 1928?

Edna: Well, since we're talking about the moving pictures, I bet it has something to do with them. Am I right? And what do I get if I am?

Margie: You're right, Edna. You win a prize! You get to do dishes and laundry for a week. Aren't you happy?

Mickey Mouse debuted in Steamboat Willie at the Colony Theater in New York on Nov. 18, 1928.

You can watch it here, Edna.

Edna: Okay, I'll go watch it, but I'm not doing the dishes or the laundry.

Margie: Tell me something I don't know, lazy tushie.

Family and Sacrifice

Image courtesy of Ohio History Central

Edna: Margie, I've been thinking a lot lately about the girl that Mama used to have come watch us when we were little, when she'd go to to Bible study or to her lady's group. Her name was Sylvia, do you remember?

Margie: Yes, I remember. I haven't thought of her in years. What makes you ask?

Edna: Maybe it's because of the holiday season and all the talk of families and such. I remember that she was just out of high school when the Great Depression started, and although she'd been talking about going to college to get her teaching degree, she went to work in a factory instead to make money for her older brothers to continue their schooling. I've often thought about how selfless that sacrifice was. I wonder how many young people today would do that for their siblings?

Margie: Times were sure different then. People had manners and they were caring and gracious. Family was the most important thing in the world. There weren't a lot of women who made it to college. Women were expected to help the menfolk.

I'm not sure how many young women would do that today. People think about me, me, me nowadays.

Edna: Margie, I would like to think that if times got really tough again like they were back then, young women (and young men!) would step up to do what they had to do to help their families out.

You know, I asked Mama about Sylvia after we were grown. She told me she'd heard that Sylvia never did get to go back to school like she'd wanted to. Sylvia's brothers all dropped out of school, but she never ever complained about having made a wasted sacrifice. Mama said she got married and had two girls (just like Mama!) and lots of wonderful grandchildren, and she was happy with the path she chose.

I guess what it all comes down to is being happy with the life you have. And that's a lesson you can take to the bank.

Margie: I agree, Edna. Be happy with the life we have. I have the utmost respect for Sylvia for being happy with her path. She certainly deserved happiness.

Edna: Yes, she did. And she got it too.


This one's for you, Grandma.

Changes coming to the Basement...

Dear Readers,

We're announcing a bit of a change in schedule here at the Basement. Due to real life issues (work-related, health-related, family-related...heck, you name it, it's going on), we need to change the way things are done around here for the time being. We wanted to let you all know that we will still be posting as regularly as we can. However, in addition to taking the weekends off as we've been doing, we will now be taking Wednesdays off as well. Rest assured, this blog isn't going anywhere; this is simply a temporary measure until things in real life simmer down a bit.

We love Margie and Edna, and blogging as them is like a balm for the soul, especially when the going gets tough. We will return to our usual 5-times-per-week posting schedule as soon as we can. Thank you all for being regular readers here at the blog. We really do appreciate all the love and support you've given the ladies this past year, just like we appreciate your patience with us now.

Love, Jane ("Margie") and Beth ("Edna")

Fun Friday

Margie and Edna would like to introduce a new feature here at the Basement: Fun Fridays. Each week, we'll present a little something that we particularly like, as a nice pick-me-up for us all at the end of a hard week. Enjoy!


Margie: Edna and I would like to share with you one of our favorite TV shows of all time. We used to watch it with our grandma. Poor granny had to explain to Edna that Edna was not ever going to be the queen of anything. We hope you enjoy it.

Mr. Jensen Ackles at the picture show

Edna: Margie, you talk a lot about that talented young man from the "Supernatural" television show. But I bet I know something about Mr. Jensen Ackles that you don't.

Margie: Edna, I talk about him a lot and I have sweet dreams of him too.

What do you think you know?

Edna: Don't get snippy with me, you harpy! I'm being nice and sharing this information with you. I even have pictures. But if you don't want to see them....

Margie: Have a brownie, Edna, and let me see. I hope he has clothes on.

Edna: Margie, I don't even want to know what would make you think that I would show you nekkid pictures of that nice young man. You must be out of your gourd, and I'm going to ignore that you even said that. I'll take the brownie, though.

Now, the first thing I'm going to show you isn't really a picture of him, it's a link to a movie trailer for his new movie coming out in January 2009. It's called "My Bloody Valentine 3-D" and you can look at the trailer here. But hold on to your bloomers, it's a might scary.

Margie: Sakes alive, Edna. Are you trying to scare an old lady to death? I just don't know if I can go see that movie.

I'd sure like for that young man to pick me as his regular Valentine though. Hunka burning love is what he is. Whoo Wee!

Edna: Get your mind out of the gutter and pay attention, I have something else to show you. These pictures are from a movie Mr. Ackles made some time ago called "Ten Inch Hero" but it hasn't been released yet here in the US. I bet you won't even recognize him!

Image courtesy "Ten Inch Hero"

Item name blurred to protect the delicate sensibilities of our readers.

Image from Supernatural Wiki.

We wonder what kind of glue they used for these "piercings"?

Margie: My word, Edna. Blue hair? Tattoos? Well, I always did love a bad boy.

I'm glad you call him Mr. Ackles because he probably wouldn't like you calling him by his first name.

Edna: Good grief, Margie! I take the time and the trouble to show you these things I found, and all you do is insult me. See if I show you anything interesting again. From now on, I'm keeping Jensen for myself, you can go kiss a toad.

Margie: I'd sleep with one eye open if I were you, Edna.

+++++++++++++++++++++++

Announcement for our readers in the
Los Angeles/Southern California area:
There will be a special screening of "Ten Inch Hero"
in Los Angeles on Monday, November 24th!
For more information, including theater location
and ticket prices, head here: "Ten Inch Hero" blog.

Time to make the donuts

Edna: Margie, take a look at this cooking show I found on YouTube. He makes donuts the same way you do! I bet they taste about as good as yours, too.



Margie: Edna, I'm calling my lawyer! That nitwit stole my idea. You know he copied my way of making donut holes!

I'll be a rich woman when my lawyer is through with him.

Edna: Your lawyer must be a fool, you don't have to have gone to law school to know that you can't sue a puppet. Besides, I've been after you for years to stop making donuts that way, it puts too many holes in the ceiling.

You know, I think I've found my new favorite cooking show!

Margie: And I think I've found your perfect nitwit match. I'll make donuts for your wedding.

Only a puppet would want to live with you, Edna.

Veterans Day

Margie and Edna would like to pause a moment today to give thanks to all of our nation's veterans, past and present. This Veterans Day, please say a special word of thanks to all of those who have kept our country safe and our freedoms secure.

Image courtesy the North Carolina Museum of History

Qualities of A Lady

Image courtesy of New York Public Library Digital Gallery.

Margie: Edna and I were talking last night and we suddenly realized that many people don't understand what a lady truly is these days. If you're one of those folks then we'd like to offer a few tips on what qualities a lady needs.


1. A lady always needs to smell as fresh as a daisy.

When Edna and I were girls, Mama warmed a washtub of water every Saturday so we could take our baths. All we had then was lye soap. That was not something that smelled like a lady.

A lady's perfume should never overwhelm. You should smell Edna's fake French perfume. Even pigs wouldn't wallow in that. Neither should a lady smell like some arthritis cream or a funeral parlor.

Here's a lovely scent you should try. This is what I use and it's wonderful.


2. A lady is sexy without being vulgar.

Sexy is not letting all your assets hang out of your clothes for all to see. As Edna often says, gentlemen prefer a bit of mystery. Just the glimpse of a trim ankle can be a subtle hint.

Think of it this way; is a wrapped Christmas package more appealing than seeing the gift just sitting under the tree? Gentlemen like to unwrap their gifts if you get my drift.


3. A lady's manners are beyond reproach.

Mama always told us to have pride in ourselves and our appearance. Not only were we taught table manners but Mama taught us how to behave around others. Never let it be said that you have no manners. That's most uncouth and unladylike.



4. A lady is dignified and charming.

This means no tattoos or piercing of your anatomy. Dignified means holding your head high, shoulders back, as if you rule the world. Edna tries to act like a ruler but she's not.

Always be charming. A smile or quiet laugh can turn many a head. Attend a good charm school or ask me for advice. I really should offer classes since I am one of the few ladies left.


5. A lady always takes the high road.

Remember when Loretta Lynn sang, " You Ain't Woman Enough To Take My Man?" This is an example of taking the low road.

A lady does not participate in smackdowns, throwdowns, mud wrestling, or hair pulling. This would be plain tacky.


Always remember that you too can be a lady. Let's hope Edna takes my advice.

Thank you, EC droppers!

Margie and Edna would like to thank our top five Entrecard droppers for the month of October. Thank you very much, fellow bloggers!

Please take a moment to visit each of the blogs below, you'll be glad that you did.

The Ad Master

Kitchen Retro

Online Games

1 Blog & 2 Sides

30somethingandsearching

The Charleston

Edna: Margie, I liked the look of this video. The music got my toes a-tappin', but I threw my back out trying to do the dance. Why don't you give it a try?

Margie: Get me the heating pad, Edna. I declare, I tried to kick my leg up and couldn't even raise it above my knee. Remember when we could actually do this dance?

Edna: I surely do, but we're not so young and limber any more.

I'll get you the heating pad if you get me some special tea, Margie. I think I need some sippin' medicine to ease my aches and pains.

Margie: That sounds like a deal, Edna. I do believe I need some of that medicine too.

Edna: Make mine a double, please.

The Kitchen Sink Post

Edna: Margie, take a look at these messages from some of our fellow bloggers. We've been tagged to do a book tag, and we've won a few more awards. Let's blog about that today!

Margie: That's wonderful, Edna. I love all our fellow bloggers. They are such thoughtful folks.

Edna: Aren't they? We got tagged by Cactus Jack Splash and his owner to do the book tag. My goodness Margie, he surely is a handsome horse! Well-spoken, too.

These are the rules of the book tag:

• Grab the nearest book.
• Open the book to page 56.
• Find the fifth sentence.
• Post the text of the next two to five sentences.
• Don’t dig for your favorite book, the cool book or the intellectual one. Pick the Closest.
• Tag five people to do the same. (We opted not to do this.)

Edna: Now, here's the book I have closest to hand: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV). I know that must seem like heavy reading for such a sweet old lady, but let me tell you folks: something is wrong with that doggone sister of mine, and I aim to find out what!

Here's the fifth through seventh sentences on page 56: "The most common associated feature of Expressive Language Disorder in younger children is Phonological Disorder. There may also be a disturbance in fluency and language formulation involving an abnormally rapid rate and erratic rhythm of speech and disturbances in language structure ("cluttering"). When Expressive Language Disorder is acquired, additional speech difficulties are also common and may include motor articulation problems, phonological errors, slow speech, syllable repetitions, and monotonous intonation and stress patterns."

Well shoot, that won't help me find out what's wrong with Margie. I'd best keep reading, there's got to be something in here about "Pain-in-the-tushie disorder."

What book are you reading, Margie?

Margie: I'm reading Jack Knife, Edna. It's all about time travelers trying to stop Jack the Ripper. I must say, though, that page 56 is a short page and the only sentence doesn't have much to do with the book.

Edna: That surely sounds interesting, and that's not something I often say when I'm talking about you. Why don't you still share what's on page 56 with our readers? You've got me curious, too.

Margie: "He tipped the corner of the certificate into the candle's flame. The paper caught, and he let it burn to within an inch of his fingers before he dropped it into the empty chamber pot."

Edna: Now I'm intrigued; you take good care of that book, I want to read it next.

We also got a whole heap of awards recently. I am so happy that people love us so much, but we just can't choose anyone to pass this along to. It seems unfair since there are so many bloggers that we love.

Maitri from Magic and Moments at Dragonfly Cottage and Lidian from Kitchen Retro each gave us the "I heart your blog" award.

Sweet Maitri also gave us the Butterfly Award and the My Favorite Blog award.

Angie from In Pursuit of Fulfillment gave us the Uber-Amazing Blog award.

Thank you very much, ladies!

National Candy Day

Image credit to The Confectionery.


Margie: Edna, today is National Candy Day. I do believe we should celebrate so I have an idea.

Deputy Jimmy said he'd come by and take us to vote so we could visit the candy store as soon as we're finished. What do you think?

Edna: Here's what I think: I think I'd rather focus on candy than on politics. We're getting too old and tired to be subjected to all the mud-slinging and nonsense that goes on in elections these days. So yes, we can go vote then spend the rest of the day eating candy. Maybe they should make that a federal mandate: candy for everyone on election day! Then maybe more people would vote.

Margie: Edna, did I just hear you have a good idea? People would love getting candy after they vote.

Speaking of nonsense and mud-slinging, I suppose you have something to say about my red dress. I read that gentlemen love red and a lot of gentlemen will be at the polls.

Edna: Margie, need I remind you that we'll be with Deputy Jimmy? He told you the last time what would happen if he caught you "soliciting" again. Besides, the gentlemen will be too busy voting to give you any notice, so maybe you'd better save that red dress for another day.

Now, tell me what kind of candy you're going to buy. One of the blessings of wearing dentures is that we don't have to worry about cavities any more!

Margie: Looks like I need to solicit a hit man!

I'm buying Reese's Cups, Edna, and some of those Three Mouseketeers. I love those.

Edna: I'll be getting a box of Junior Mints, but I'm saving those to eat when we watch "Supernatural" on Thursday night. For today, I think I want one of those Snickers bars that have almonds in them. Those are mighty tasty! Maybe I'll get a bag of lemon drops, too. Margie, my mouth is watering just thinking about it. I'm going to go get a notepad and make a shopping list.

Margie: Me too.

Happy Birthday Cookie Monster

Image by Sesame Workshop.


Margie: Edna, look at this. Your picture is in today's newspaper. Oh dear, they got your birthdate wrong. You weren't born on November 2nd.

Edna: Oh, very funny Margie. You know, one of us in this conversation got sick recently from eating too many teacakes, and it wasn't me. So I think you'd best check in the mirror if you want to see the real cookie monster.

Margie: Edna, I didn't say Cake Monster. Good grief! It describes you right here:

"can (and often does) consume anything and everything, from apples and pie to letters, flatware, and hubcaps."

That's you sister.

Edna: Margie, you're so unattractive when you're insulting. Besides, you know I eat like a bird. I inherited my delicate constitution from Mama's side of the family. You're the one who eats like a goat. I once saw you eat an entire cupcake, wrapper and all, without even blinking.

Margie: Edna, you are so funny when you lie. Delicate constitution my eye. You eat like a pig. Is a pig a bird?

I may have eaten a cupcake but I don't eat 2 funnel cakes in one sitting like you do.

Edna: Margie, I only ever did that once, and that was because you refused to eat the funnel cake I'd bought you. I just didn't want it to go to waste.

I'm getting hungry, I'm going to go make some brownies. And I don't plan on sharing.