I couldn't help but notice, a couple of weeks ago, the friendly banter going back and forth between highlowaha readers about who the winning football team would be this season. I was entertained and intrigued. I'm a college football girl.... sort of. I'm a college football girl... so long as the Arizona State Sun Devils or Georgia Bulldogs are playing. Other than watching those two teams, I can usually find something else I would rather be doing.
Have I mentioned, by the way, I don't know a technical thing about the game. That means I never really know what's going on, until a touchdown happens (I'm sure I just lost some credibility).
None of that stops me from loving football season and, this year, finding a creative way that we - the creative readership of highlowaha - can get off the bench and participate. So here it is... the next opportunity for you to show your stuff. Have NO fear. This is not a ten-day decathlon, nor will it require the same level of involvement. The name of the game here is... be the kicker. When your turn is up, put your best foot forward. Introducing...
COUNTDOWN to the SUPER BOWL
Half Time Throw Down
A joint venture between
Highlowaha.com and Struble Suds.com
This will be a battle of football snacks. Fourteen lucky Highlowaha readers will have the chance to go head to head creating the ultimate snack food. Beat your opponent and move on to the next bracket. Make it to the end and you will be named Highlowaha Super Bowl Champion 2009.
Now onto Struble Suds... Cristine is a somewhat regular reader of highlowaha and Matt, her husband, was first introduced to our blog in May when he won Blog Master for a Day. He used his guest feature to showcase all the reasons we ought to celebrate May 1. Matt and Cristine are the CONSUMMATE football fans. So much so, they had a literal bar constructed in their basement, allowing neighbors, friends, and family members to gather and watch Green Bay Packer Football. A literal bar.
So here's what we're going to do. Our world is going to meet theirs. Highlowaha readers will get weekly glimpses into the bar where everybody knows your name, in exchange for the seasoned taste buds of some die hard football fans. On designated weeks, highlowaha competitors will enter a snack to be judged by Matt and Cristine's bar flies.
To assure an audience, we will follow the Green Bay Packer Football Season. Before claiming one of the 14 spots, check out the details.
- A maximum of fourteen participants can compete. I would love if some lurkers would consider using this as a chance to jump in.
- Two competitors a week will submit a snack. Bar flies at Struble Suds will judge which of the two snacks they liked more.
- The winner of each week will advance to a future bracket. The number of times you would be required to submit a snack is determined by how far you advance in the season. The number of submissions will range from one to four (for the Super Bowl champion).
- Each week highlowaha readers will vote on a "secret ingredient" that must somehow be incorporated in your snack submission.
- All snack submissions must be able to be served in a BOWL.
- Matt and Cristine are willing to do minimal prep work on your behalf. Struble Suds has a refrigerator and a microwave. If it can't be done using one of those two things, settle on a new entry.
- Snacks will be mailed to the Struble residence, in time for the game to which you are assigned.
- The following day, Matt (or Cristine) will play Monday Morning Quarterback, letting us know how the snacks stacked up and who was named the weekly winner.
- Weekly winners will receive a football patch for their Patchwork Jeans (or jacket).
- The Super Bowl Champion will be presented with a custom-made, hand painted highlowaha super snack bowl!
In the upcoming days a page of frequently asked questions and answers will be posted. Now the dates up for grabs. Remember, we need to competitors per date.
- Monday, September 8
- Sunday, September 21
- Sunday, October 5
- Sunday, October 19
- Sunday, November 16
- Sunday, November 30
- Sunday, December 7
Wanna check out our home away from home for the next few months? Go to www. strublesuds.com
No time like the present to start generating ideas for secret ingredients. My husband insists men should weigh in on this process, as we can't risk 13 straight weeks of ingredients such as m&m's, Snow caps, and yogurt covered pretzels. Poll neighbors, colleagues, neighbors, and spouses. Make sure we end the day with a healthy (as in robust, not...food-pyramid-approved) list of potential secret ingredients.
I'm excited.
Signing off until tomorrow...
Posts
51 comments:
Stacie Walker, decathlete who ended up having to drop out of the competition with only 3 days to go, made me PROMISE I would appoint her one of the 14 slots. She is away for a series of medical appointments with her son and cannot guarantee daily internet access (coupled with the fact that I wouldn't tell her which day I was rolling out our next contest).
So, Stacie Walker is competitor #1, choosing game #3 (October 19). I picked that date randomly, so maybe she will want to trade with one of our other draft picks.
Whose next. Get 'em while you can!
Secret ingredient: cheddar cheese!!!
Best football team: Pittsburgh Steelers!
This blog never ceases to amaze me!
Have a great day everyone!
Philly = T minus 11 days!
I'm in and I'll take November 30th as I need a break to recuperate from the Olympics!
Silly Julie..the Colts are the best team in the NFL. I mean just ask Peyton Manning.
Secret ingredient: Garlic Salt
YAY! i LOVE watching football. im not much of a fan of college ball. im all about the NFL... GO COLTS!!! but my second team is the STEELERS! i guess im with heather and julie! ill have to think about gettin in on the snack challenge. Julie, you stole my secret ingredient because cheese is my favorite food!
well, im off to my second day of classes!
PS- dr. b, at our first family weekend meeting of the semester last night, we started out with everyone's highs, lows, and ahas from the summer!!! i thought you would be happy to know that!
I will take October 19th.
As for all of you who THINK your teams are the best ask yourselves one question, "who won the Super Bowl"? Yes that's right "NEW YORK". Case closed! The other Manning!!!! Who beat the Patriots last week? Oops the other NEW YORK team THE JETS! Just goes to show Brady that looks aren't everything ... but he could do some modeling LOL!
As for football I used to hate it because it took my ex-boyfriend away from me on the weekends. Now that my son was on his HS team for the past 4 yrs. I have grown to not only love it but actually understand the game. We watch any football game that is on at the moment. I will miss the tailgate parties this fall:(
Thanks to football we even bought a 52in HD TV although Claudia thinks it isn't necessary any die hard football person knows it's mandatory for the full football experience...... Richard I will put in a word with Santa for you!!!!
Julie... are you in on the snack challenge. Claim your spot now before it's too late.
I'll play on December 7th.
I grew up with Friday night football. It was the social event of the week in the fall. My brother was on the AAA State Championship team in 1982. Go Bobcats! My mom is a huge sports fan. She was "Ms. Most Athletic 19something-a-long-time-ago". I didn't get that gene. I did grow up loving football.
And then, dun-dun-duh! Then I got married and the NFL Ticket was born and I had to watch EVERY NFL GAME broadcasted. All day Sunday. Monday night. Thursday night. Every team. It was all consuming and frankly- just plain irritating.
So when I got divorced, I boycotted football. For years, I didn't think about watching a game. I didn't have a clue who was in the Super Bowl. I didn't know the names of any really cute Quarterbacks. The malls are blissfully empty on game day. :)
So, now that I have control of the remote again, sort of, I can watch a little bit of football again. Do we have to actually cheer for the Packers? I guess I'm kind of partial to the Cowboys. Or the underdog.
Thanks, Claudia... I'm heading out of town tonight, so today's crazy-busy and I can't write much. But October 19th is a no-go for me, as we'll be going out of town again for a family wedding. My first preferences would be September 21 or November 16.
I'll work on my secret ingredient ideas, but cheese is a tough one. My fellow competitors, please try to keep in mind that some of us will be shipping our entries, and most of us can't afford to overnight something in a refrigerated box just because we think cream (or cheddar) cheese is the best ingredient ever! Unless the "minimal prep work" the Strubles are willing to do includes buying and mixing in cold ingredients, there are lots of things that would have to be nixed for those of us who are not able to hand-deliver our snacks. Perhaps the out-of-town competitors could be paired up on the same dates so the cold-ingredient weeks could be reserved for all you Texans?
Football AND cooking...count me in! Two of my favorite things in life.
Since we're on the topic of best football teams, I'm not going to say the Browns :) But they are my FAV! It's looking like another long season, but oh well. The Browns & Steelers kick off the regular season against one another on the Sunday night after Philly. I assured Julie that we'd be home in time to watch.
If you're interested in learning about football and trying to get more in to the season, you should try playing fantasy. I've always liked football, but now I'm HOOKED! I enjoy watching more than the Browns simply to see how my team is doing. Treye calls me a fantasy junkie, which is probably true, but I'm sure he's thankful I'm ok with watching the NFL on Thursdays, Sundays & Mondays and college (OH-IO) on Saturdays.
If there are at least 8 people here interested in playing fantasy football on yahoo (all you need to do is have a yahoo email address), let me know and I'll start a league for fun. Email me if you are: tmichalski05@jcu.edu
OMG, Tera! You are every mans dream!!!
Just to help Claudia out. Strubles is not in Texas. They are in Chicago so I think we'll all be mailing our snacks. Anyone else in Chicago?
I was taking such a long stroll down memory lane I forgot to suggest secret ingredients. Uh...
thinking...
um...
y'all know I don't cook right?
um... yeah... I got nothing.
Thank you internet. Spices and herbs: Dill, Chili Powder, Basil, Cumin, Vanilla. Oh, I suck at this!
But! I'm a great cheerleader!
Count me in for fantasy!! I just emailed you my yahoo address!
Who Dey- GO BENGALS!
Stacie,
I think we are all on equal footing for this one as strublesuds is in the Chicago area and I definitely agree we need to steer clear of the secret ingredient being anything chilled. Perhaps Velveeta cheese could be the option.
Sending love and luck your way this week!
Tera,
I'd be in for Fantasy...and I could probably talk Bal into it too if we need an 8th!
my yahoo address is hsnow at ymail dot com
I LOVE football but must admit I'm sad that we won't be going to any Colts games this year.
In case you missed my late night post:
A quick update on our status at icerocket.com
We are now the 658 most popular blog on the website.
Forward progress for sure but still a LONG way from the top 500.
Be sure to visit lots and to list highlowaha.com as one of your favorites in your own blog as those are the things they weigh into consideration.
Consider this Claudia's quest for the superbowl and we are all her trainers, coaches, and supporters helping her get there.
Wow, I thought I was your only Illinois chapter of Highlowaha. I'm a big packer fan... since before 1968!!!! My dh actually has an autographed authentic cheesehead hat at work.... it's been so hard when we put our Packer flag out on game day since we are just over the Cheddar Curtain in the northwest suburbs of Chicago (moved here two years ago from WIsconsin).... I might have to think about entering this challenge!
I'd like to be included as one of the 14 to participate, though I'm drawing a bit of a blank right now in terms of potential secret ingredients.
I don't really care which Sunday I take.
Hope everyone has a great day!
I found this while looking for good "football snack foods"
"Super Bowl fans consume 11 million pounds of potato chips, 13.2 million pounds of avocados, 8.2 million pounds of tortilla chips, 4.3 million pounds of pretzels, 3.8 million pounds of popcorn and 2.5 million pounds of snack nuts"
So those are some good secret ingredients!
Here's the latest...
Confirmed competitors as of 10:40 a.m.
Heather, November 30
Maureen, October 19
Cheryl, December 7
Stacie, September 21
Tera, no preferred date noted
Treye, no preferred date noted
Maybes are Cassie P, Peggy, and Julie. Maybe with some encouragement from us, we get them to take the plunge. Peggy, as the Decathlon Bronze Medalist, I think you should do it!
CSPgradstudent what about you? Maybe you could host a building-wide contest, so your residents could come up with a winning recipe that you could advance into highlowaha's Super Bowl.
Who else? Ashlee where have you gone? We miss your posts. Your ChampionCHIP bake-off item was a hit! And what about the friend you brought on over. I can't think of her name this minute. Maybe Susan? No... I'll get back to you on that, but what about inviting her?
Montana... this is a GREAT chance to show us what you and your state are made of.
Melanie... Heather says you have a GREAT chex mix recipe, handed down from you grandfather. How about putting it to the test.
Lurkers... don't be shy. Use this as a chance to jump in on the highlowaha fun. I'll tell you what... the first "lurker" (I read, but I rarely/never post) to come forward will earn a special little treat from me.
Don't get ahead of yourself, highlowaha. I was going to talk this through with the staff first and then post back about what weekend we wanted...give me a few hours and I'll let you know. I just need to scrounge up a few staff members first to talk through it with...you know, collaborative effort!
Ooohhhh, I like it CSPgrad. I should have assumed you had something up your sleeve. You are usually quick to jump in with two feet.
I'll anxiously await the voice of Hillside! How about even raising the ante and getting your two other hall director friends who will be joining us in Philly to consider. Then it could be an inter-building competition right there on JMU's campus.
Yeah, I know... getting ahead of myself. Love me or leave me. It's one in a long line of character flaws.
Have no fear, the thought had already crossed my mind about an inter-building competiton! It is already penciled into the Planner Pad as a conversation to have with them...great minds think alike!
For some "penciled" would raise an eyebrow - being interpreted as non-comital. But for all us Planner Pad converts, we know writing in pencil is the only acceptable way to go, when writing in ones calendar.
Pencil raises no question marks in my head.
Hello People. Thank you for letting me play along for the next couple of months in one of your activities. In speaking with Claudia, I have agreed to send an "official" Struble Suds collectable item to each weekly winner. Also, I am sure there is much anticipation during the competitive days, so if you need up to the minute information on judging or how the competition is going, call the Struble Suds hotline at 630-CLD-BEER (630-253-2337). All questions will be answered, for example- how many judges in attendance, ratio of men, women, and kids, how the Packers are doing as that really is the only thing that matters (ha ha).
As for who hasn't signed-up yet...I know Denise Yager (wife of Chip who was in school with Richard and myself) is reading this and needs to jump in here.
As for ingredient of the week, how about taco or cajun seasoning, but beyond seasoning, I vote for BACON.
If anyone is in town and would like to joing the Struble Suds festivities, I have a place for you and being a friend/supporter of Claudia, you get automatic VIP seating.
Lastly, although I don't want to run to the store, I will if asked (on Saturday prior to the game is when I stock up on items) if it helps support the cause.
Is that your real phone number? Hilarious!!!
Ooohh Peggy...I would SO take him up on the offer of VIP seating for a game.
Comment 1- Yes that is my number.
Comment 2- VIP seating at Struble Suds, not an actual Packer game just to be clear. There are 17 1/2 (yes...half) established seats in front of TVs. If a visitor comes who would like other than the Packers (really???), we have the football package and would be happy to show your team.
First off I need to correct my last post.. The Giants beat the Jets... My son is having a heart attack that I made that mistake.... I guess payback is becoming an embarrassment to your kids LOL!
As for the secret ingredient, will each week have a different one? If so I only need to worry about the week I am involved in right?
I wish they lived closer I make some awesome "Buffolo Hot Wings" and really good finger sandwiches. If there is a way I could mail them let me know and let me know how many people will be there. I would overnight them.......
Claudia as for the reunion at Cardozo in November are you still thinking of going? I was thinking about it... Let me know.
Matt- I'm assuming Mattoberfest is something similar to Octoberfest.
When is that event and is there a polka band?
Maureen... The secret ingredient will be voted on weekly by highlowaha readers, so it will change from week to week. You will be most interested in the secret ingredient you are assigned, but the others will be of interest to you, because - after all - they are you competition.
We don't want people spending an arm and a leg on shipping, which is why we settled on a snack that could be served in a bowl. If, however, you have a competitive streak and will stop at nothing, I am sure Matt would be happy to provide whatever additional information is necessary to overnight something.
Maureen... I am feeling more and more serious about the reunion. I will talk to Richard about it this evening and let you know toward the end of the week.
A gentle reminder that we would LOVE to see you, Layne, and your daughters in Philly.
Still no new takers... Denise, where are you? Peggy, have you been convinced yet? VIP seats at Struble Suds would be something worth writing about! If feel like Katie is inching closer.
Lori? Where are you? This is right up you alley.
Cassie - our Silver Medalist... Beeny's don't sit on the side lines! Toni, for that matter, where are you?
Hmmm... who else can I pick on?
Chaotic, this is your chance to jump right in.
We have a loyal reader from Boone, North Carolina. What about you, Boone?
EIGHT SPOTS STILL OPEN. Get 'em while the gettins' good.
This is guaranteed to be a fun challenge!
Brian! You were masterful during the decathlon. Don't fail us now.
A couple more thoughts...
Katie in Iowa, go for it! And what about your friend, Carrie?
Kat, how could I forget about you? Where are you today? Keep your eye on the prize. This chip bowl would look GREAT in your house. Our very own resident artist, Cheryl, has design the inside.
Stacie.. before you leave town, dial up Nicole. Make sure she knows what she's missing!
If you knew Matt like I know Matt, you would not be waiting a second to claim you spot. This is going to be fun, fun, fun!
I haven't mentioned your name? Jump right in and claim you spot. How dare I leave you out!
Lurkers... my offer still stands
Jayme...
Hey, folks! Go on over to my blog to get the latest! We need to put something to a vote... again.
This is exciting stuff.
-H. Hand.
I'm in... give me a September or October date, please.
This sounds fun. (I think we should all share our recipies too.)
-Brian
Mattoberfest is similar to Octoberfest, but bday cake is served to Matthew 2 (turning 4). Leinie's Octoberfest (keg of course) is the beer served. As for polka band, I have looked into a one man band before. I also have polka dot boxers, just so there is some kind of polka going on.
Ah. I'll have to store that party idea away for future use. I could have a Drewtoberfest.
Julie- DID YOU SAY T MINUS 11??? I can't believe we're going to be in Philly in 11 days! How exciting!
Count us in here in Hillside....we'll take October 19th!
Claudia:
Do you remember when we discussed putting something up on highlowaha blog so people that you have highlighted on making things could get orders from us for christmas. Sorry I do not remember everyone but I know that you do. Maybe you could work on this. I know that Christmas is still a couple of months away but I have already started shopping.
Sue... Yes. Your idea is a good one. We have quite a few talented readers, so a highlowaha insiders catalog of sorts could be a good idea.
I will work on creating something. Thanks for the reminder. That's the thing about a blog for creative people. So many ideas, so little time to get them all done. A NICE problem to have !
UPDATE:
According to my calculations, we have 8 of our 14 spots filled. Our fierce competitors are:
Heather
Maureen
Cheryl
Stacie
Tera
Treye
Katie, and
Brian
Six spots left and we're half way through the day. Come on highlowaha. We don't want Matt to think we can't handle this! The decathlon yielded 21 decathletes the first day.
Erica and Mike... jump in the game! And Susan... what about you. Make us Georgia, Bulldogs proud!
Hi everyone - this is the other half of the Struble Family. Thanks for everyone wanting to participate in this fun event.
Peggy - you're a Packer fan- try to stop by Struble Suds. Have you been to the Cheese Castle in Kenosha? It's one of Matt's favorite places to stop. The King of Clubs cheddar cheese is the best - everyone should stop at the Cheese Castle and say hi to Mario when driving through WI.
I know that Matt already said that we'll help with the prep work - so don't worry about perishable items. If you're recipe needs them, we'll help make it happen - trust me, in our house, we make things happen.
Just a few helpful hints - We don't have any allergy issues in the Struble Suds regulars. The crowd is more male than female. You're in the midwest - tofu probably wouldn't be the best secret ingredient. I'm happy to prep dishes too - within reason - if it takes longer than a football game to make you're out of luck.
So I can't wait to see everyone entries. I'll post a picture of a one of the weekly prizes on www.strublesuds.com and http://strublesuds.blogspot.com/ for those who are interested.
Good luck to everyone!
No one other than Katie & Heather are in for fantasy football? Brian? Matt? Christine? How about you, Julie?
If you want to play HLA fantasay football, all you need to do is email me your yahoo email address. My email is tmichalski05@jcu.edu.
No money...just for fun. Oh, and bragging rights for the next year!
And, P.S., I'm game for the Fantasy football thing.
That'll make the third or fourth league I'm in now.
:)
Peggy... if you're out there, knock on Denise's door and let her know we are hoping she'll enter the contest. I don't have her email, but I know Matt and Cristine would love an entry from her.
Speaking of entries.. we haven't gotten your confirmation yet. Six spots left.
OK ... I just walked in the door, with enough time to change my clothes and run back out. If there's still a spot open for a snack ... count me in . I know I'm a little late on the draw with this. Hopefully I'll have more time later tonight to read through everyone's comments.
Claudia- I just spoke to Denise... she took her dad to the airport today when I left a message you guys were talking about her here!!She hasn't had time to play on the computer all summer .... unlike me :0) She says with all the posts and comments it's just too much for her to take in, she doesn't know what's going on.
A hey to Matt and Christie... I lived in Racine WI... so ... depending on how you look at it... the Mars Cheese castle... no big deal 'cuz the Piggly Wiggly has great cheese... much cheaper.
Peggy... maybe you can help bring Denise up to speed. Tell her we said to jump right in and within a week she'll be back in full swing.
Now onto YOU! Are you in or are you evading my inquiries?
Evading... you mean comments here right? You haven't sent me any emails lately that I've missed?
Not sure if I want to surrender any more cash to the U$P$. Not finding a job yet puts a damper on extras, know what I mean???
Peggy - are you a neighbor of Denise? Were you at Chip's 40th B-day party? If you were you might have seen the Strubles. My kids were the ones in the Packer hats.
As for the cheese @ The Cheese Castle- there's a whole story to it. Matt tells it better - the "lounge", cheese, crackers, beer and Packers. And of course the owner Mario.
I'm just now hopping on. Gosh, I don't know if I am in yet or not. I'll confirm tomorrow (if there are still spots left).
Hello All
I feel so out of the loop! I confess to not keeping up with highlowaha but I hope to get back into the swing of it now that the boys are heading back to school. So give me a day or 2 to catch up and I will be back! Take care Denise
I don't think I understand the snack thing. Do we make it or just send the recipe to them. I have a great dip but could not ship it to them it would go bad.
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