Month: November 2023

Blog by: Chris Louzader

My vice is pizza!  I could talk about pizza more than any other food.  The mere topic makes my taste buds dance in anticipation. There’s just something magical about the mere mention of pizza that sparks a craving that’s hard to ignore.  A thin & crispy crust, delicious melted cheese, a perfect blend of savory tomato sauce, and an array of toppings creating a symphony of flavors is enough to make anyone’s stomach growl.  It’s not just a dish!  Pizza is the perfect food … it’s life.  It can be dinner, or lunch or a snack – EVEN – breakfast AND served hot, warm or cold.  Pizza is a cultural phenom exceeding a lot of boundaries.  Just a conversation about pizza has the power to make me smile, make me feel as if not eaten in days, I just gotta have a pie! My fave is thin and crispy with mozzarella and even provel (if available) along with every veggie EVER, except mushrooms.  I must go friends … now, I’m hungry!

from Kevin’s recipe book…

I’ve been asked to post the recipe for John Wayne Casserole. The response was overwhelming. The people demanded it, so here it is… I don’t know exactly why it’s named after the actor but I think he really liked it. It’s easy to make and it’s a crowd pleaser. here’s what you’ll need. 1 Canned biscuits ( I use crescent rolls for the crust.) 2 lbs ground beef, 1 taco seasoning, 1 onion, 1 red pepper, 2 sliced tomatoes, 1 4oz jar of jalapenos, 1/2 sour cream, 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 8oz shredded cheese.

First, make the crust. Press the biscuit dough in the bottom of your baking dish and bake in the oven until lightly browned. 2) cook your meat, drain the fat and mix in taco seasoning. then transfer to a bowl. 3) In the same pan cook your sliced onion and red pepper until tender. 4) combine 1/2 cup mayo, 1/2 cup sour cream and 1/2 of your cheese. (use as much cheese as you want. I used a total of 8 oz.) stir it up. 5) layer the ground beef onto the biscuit crust, the onions and peppers and the sour cream mixture. Then place sliced tomatoes and jalapenos followed by more cheese on top. 6) Bake at 350 for about 30 minutes until the cheese on top is browned and bubbly. Eat and enjoy!

Blog by: Chris Louzader

Friday is a day following Thanksgiving Day!  This shopping day has been known for its significant retail discounts and the unofficial start of the holiday shopping season. On Black Friday, of course stores often offer huge discounts on a wide range of products. 

Remember back in the day when you’d wake up while it’s still dark to go wait along with a throng of people in line for the doors to open for special hours and hope you don’t get trampled going for that 55-inch TV that was $100 – LOL!  And, you hoped radio station personalities were handing out free donuts!

What happened to Black Friday?  It has evolved, there is the massive growth trend to online shopping.  Also, does it seem like Black Friday pretty much begins the day after Halloween with all sorts of special prices and deals.  Are they really that special when THE Black Friday hits?

I don’t miss the old Black Friday. The current Black Friday, along with Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday are plenty enough.  Enjoy the season!

Blog by Kevin howard

Eating until I pass out and watching football has always been the priority on Thanksgiving. I do have one other tradition. Watching the Macy’s Day parade. I just keep it on in the background. My favorite part is the balloons. Snoopy and Spiderman and my very favorite, Sponge Bob Square pants. He’s hard to beat. The part I don’t like about the parade are the lip syncing performances. C’mon, everybody knows you’re not really singing. That aside, I’ll be watching the 97th Macy’s Day Parade just like I do every year…it means Christmas is coming!

A lot of people ask me what the heck do you eat on Thanksgiving?  I usually tell them, don’t worry about it.  But, here it goes:  I do not eat meat, so that makes turkey or ham or any other meat a bit of an issue.  Then, there are the sides:  I can’t stand stuffing (wet bread), sweet potatoes (mushy texture (I’ve TRIED to like them), gravy is a NO GO, ANY kind of casserole just makes me cringe and want to barf, cranberry salad is average, and pecan pie is the absolute worst.

What does my plate look like you ask?  It’ full of macaroni and cheese, mashed potatoes (no gravy), if there are deviled eggs – look out, any kind of fresh salad and vegetable NOT casserole-ized, rolls–oh the rolls (yes, yes and yes) and all the pumpkin pie I can find with copious amounts of whipped cream.

Truly the day is not about what is on my plate … it’s about who I share the day with.  I’m blessed with a wonderful husband, a wonderfully large family, fabulous friends and an incredible j-o-b with the most amazing listeners!  Hug your people this week!  Happy Thanksgiving ALL!

By Chris Louzader

I was born and raised in Springfield, MO and I’m so very fortunate to have some of the greatest longtime friends.  These are my anchors. Our shared history is beyond priceless.  These are the loyal pals who have been in it to win it with every chapter of my life, from high school to college to the triumphs and tribulations of adulthood. They are comforting and constant…a testament to our enduring strong bonds. The inside jokes, the memories created through so many years, and an unwavering support system above everything!  The understanding between us allows for our own language!  In life, these enduring friendships are the threads that not only connect the past with the present but also weave a future rich with shared experiences.  Call up one of YOUR pals today and tell them how important they are to you! I’m doing that with my posse, my BESTIES now!

By Kevin…

They say as we get older it’s harder to find friends, so it’s pretty nice to have a best friend in your life. It’s especially convenient if you’re married to them. Kelly Howard has been my bestie for more than 20 years now. I’m probably getting the better end of the deal. Sure, we’ve had a few spats but there’s nobody else I would rather hang out with on the regular. We’re pretty much homebodies. We don’t party a lot these days. We watch TV. We sit around and talk about the kids and the dogs. Sometimes we just sit around and don’t talk at all. I love it. I’m grateful. Be grateful if you have a best friend and keep your eyes open for one if you don’t. Happy Birthday Kelly and I love my tee shirt!

THE HOLDOVERS = Director Alexander Payne brings this 1970’s flick to us with every nuance and detail of the decade.  This is the story of teacher Paul Hunham … masterfully portrayed by Paul Giamatti.  Nobody likes him, no students or faculty and he finds himself supervising students unable to journey home.  One of the holdovers is a trouble-making 15-year old.  This is where the story really begins.  The pair forms a bond of understanding, caring and nurturing. This is a quiet film with excellent performances.  More of a performance piece from the heart.

THE MARVELS = Carol Danvers AKA Captain Marvel has reclaimed her identity from a tyrant who has taken revenge on the Supreme Intelligence.  But, Captain Marvel finds herself shouldering the burden of a destabilized universe.  Brie Larson is back in the lead role, Samuel L. Jackson is Nick Fury.   If you’re keeping score, this is the 33^rd film in the MCU-Marvel Cinematic Universe and marks Jackson’s 15^th turn in the MCU.    I’m little bit “over” the superhero movies.  I want fewer and better releases from these worlds.  THE MARVELS is definitely a good one for the ‘tween crowd.  Of course, if you’re a Marvel fan, you’ll love it more than likely.

I couldn’t think of a better weekend than VETERANS DAY WEEKEND to talk about Honor Flight. Participating in an Honor Flight is an incredibly humbling experience that cannot be described with words. It’s a journey of honor and a deep sense of gratitude. As veterans depart for this experience, they’re not just passengers on a plane, they become embodiments of their valor – TRUE heroes. The overwhelming support and appreciation they receive from fellow citizens and the heartfelt gestures along the way magnify the significance of their service. For so may veterans, Honor Flight is not just a trip, it’s a profound realization that their commitment and sacrifices will never be forgotten. It’s a brotherhood/sisterhood like no other.

To be a part of the flight was so humbling and life-changing. It was as if I wasn’t worthy to be in their presence. I had the fortune to be a media representative on the very same flight my father-in-law, Donald Louzader (Korea) and my husband, Don was his Guardian. To see Donald’s interaction with other veterans was incredibly heart-warming. He told us after the very long excursion … “this was the greatest day of my life!” REMEMBER to thank a veteran for their service and honor them, they will not forget it … we do owe them a debt of gratitude for selflessly serving their country.