Entries Tagged as 'Fun'

Gingerbread Traditions: Fun for Young and Old

Gingerbread has been a tradition throughout Europe for centuries, especially in Germany.

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“Gingerbread houses are what Christmas is all about for me,” said Stephen Schubert, executive pastry chef at River City Casino, who was raised in Hamburg, Germany. “My family always made gingerbread houses together when I was little. It was such fun and a big attraction for us when we were kids. Christmas without gingerbread wouldn’t be Christmas at all.”

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Schubert continues his family’s tradition of making gingerbread houses with his kids at home and at work, where he recently constructed with his team of bakers a gingerbread house that weighs in around 800 pounds, of which 500 pounds is gingerbread.

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“When you make a gingerbread house, no matter how big or small, the dough has to be drier to hold up under the icing and decorations,” said Schubert, explaining his gingerbread houses are always just a house. “I like to make traditional gingerbread houses. I don’t do castles or other stuff-it has to be a house with bricks, cookies and stained glass windows of sugar.”

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Smaller table-top houses are a feature among the holiday decorations at the Chatillon-Demenil Mansion and the Eugene Field House, two of St Louis’ fabled historic houses opened for public tours.

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“Gingerbread houses always draw such attention,” said Eugene Field House volunteer Shirley Zork, who had the idea to have a drawing for the gingerbread house on display in the Eugene Field House parlor. “It’s a way to help raise some extra money for the restoration of the house.”

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Whether big or small making gingerbread houses should be fun.

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“Making gingerbread houses is something families can do together. They don’t have to be perfect, so don’t put too many restrictions on it, Schubert said. Remember you want it to be fun for the kids. Then, once Christmas comes, you have a big party and everyone gets a piece to eat-just like Hansel and Gretel.” 

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To help you make your own gingerbread house, Schubert has shared his recipe for gingerbread dough. Use store-bought cutters or make your own house pattern to cut from the dough. Or, cut or shape into anything you like from gingerbread men or stars to hang on the tree.

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For those who are not into construction projects, but love the taste of gingerbread, I have included two soft gingerbread recipes. One from the Pillsbury test kitchen for Gingerbread Loaves, a tea bread that is a nice addition to a cookie tray. The other is a historic recipe that is dense and full flavored and has the claim of being one of General Washington’s favorite Martha-baked gingerbread cake.

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Click here for the the recipes

Recap: ‘The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills’ – ‘A Book, a Bachelorette and a …

I hope everyone has recovered from last weeks wholly uncomfortable Taylor trainwreck last week. I was thinking we might kick off this week with a limo drive through the gates of a mental institution or maybe a shelter for battered women, but no such luck. Instead, we will start the way all deep emotional healing in Beverly Hills begins — at lunch.

Lisa has a nice, relaxing meal of appetizers planned for Skeletor, I mean Taylor. Taylor, who is so thrilled that Lisa is now friends with her, seems completely oblivious to the look of horror and pity tattooed all over Lisas face. She wants to tell Lisa all about ruining Brandis Malibu beach party, but she cant remember a thing! She was blotto! Taylor isntwearing eye make-up OR false eyelashes, so Lisa knows this is a cry for help. Taylor doesnt want help, though — she wants to bitch about Camille. Shes not her true friend! She felt so betrayed! Um, Taylor, Camille is not your problem. Anyway, Lisa is going to be taking Taylor to Las Vegas for Pandoras bachelorette party, as Kyle cant make it. Taylor deserves some fun, Lisa thinks. Yes, its a grand idea to take someone who has just confessed to being blackout drunk to Las Vegas. That always ends well!

Camille and Dedra drink white wine to blot out their memories of Brandis beach party. But then Brandi drops by! Well, maybe they can drink for other reasons, because this is a grand opportunity to talk about what a nutcase Taylor is.Brandi thinks Taylor behaved like Linda Blair in The Exorcist, though she doesnt know the name of the actress or the movie and just refers to it as the one with the girl whose head spun around. Yes, Brandi is quite the conversationalist. The important nugget of information in this scene is not that Brandi would probably suck at a game of charades, but thatAdrienne has invited Camille, Kim, Brandi and Dani to have a fun girls weekend at the Palms on the same weekend Lisa and Taylor will be in Las Vegas for Pandoras party. Yes, Adrienne is determined to get her fair share of free publicity even if it involves putting up with Dana, which is quite something.

But before she can head off to Vegas, Adrienne and Paul are going to be appearing on The Doctors. Paul did not eat breakfast and coerces some stagehand into fetching him some desserts. Then on the show, Paul prattles on about how multiple small meals are the key to staying healthy when you have a busy lifestyle. Meals like pastries and chocolate cake lollipops? Im glad Paul is a plastic surgeon and not, say, a cardiologist.

Just as Adrienne has business to take care of before Vegas, so does Lisa. And it involves shopping, which is so much more important than silly TV appearances. Lisa and Pandora shop for bridal gowns, and Lisa loves them all. But Pandora wants more diamonds and tacky pink roses splattered all over her dress. Lisa is fine with anything her little Pandy wants. Meanwhile,Giggy is either bored or dying on the coach at the bridal gown store. If he is dying, it may be from the embarrassment of wearing baby blue footie pajamas in public, poor thing.

The girls, divided into two separate teams, arrive in Vegas. Except for Kim. Kim is still moving. She hurt her neck! Its so hard! She just has so many boxes! Adrienne nods and makes sympathetic noises, then promptly hangs up the phone and suggests Kim is a big, stinking liar. Im with Adrienne. Kim should just confess that shes become agoraphobic or Ken has locked her in the basement or something, because we see about as much of her has Charlie on Charlies Angels.

In a side-by-side comparison of the insane luxury suits everyone gets, I give the advantage to the Hard Rock. The Palms just looks junky, sorry Adrienne.Lisa makes Taylor drink tea and tells her that someday shell be horribly depressed that her little girl is all grown up. Yes, that Lisa sure knows how to cheer up a crazy woman!

Back in Beverly Hills, Kyle is writing a book — but theyre already shooting the cover. Because we know the cover will be better than anything printed inside the damn thing. Kyle is so exhausted from writing all night! Sometimes shes writing at 2, 3 in the morning! Its fun, but its A LOT of pressure. Shut up, Kyle. Still, this photo shoot is VERY important to Kyle, and she wants her sister to be by her side so she can gloat about how fabulous she is and maybe whisper that she should have been cast as the girl in Return to Witch Mountain, so there. But, oddly enough, Kim isnt answering her phone. Kyle is so frustrated! She feels that this is a terrible step back in their bonding relationship! Plus she was going to make Kim hold her robe and slippers during the fashion shoot!

Back to Vegas. What follows is basically cutting back and forth between Taylor and Lisa and Adriennes gaggle of gals to determine whos having the more fabulous time. I would say any group that doesnt include Dana is probably having more fun. She has to tell everyone at the table with her that shes wearing a necklace made of 125 carats ofperfect diamonds! And its a friggin lollipop holder. Its for sale for a million dollars! Ah, so Dana is just plugging stuff for a kickback. Thats why shes so annoying!

But Dana is drowned out once Adrienne invites them into the kingpin suite, which has its own bowling alley. How fun! If anyone had worn flats! Anyway, the girls bowl. In high heels. And, in Brandis case, a boot. This would be an excellent way for Brandi to break her other foot. Camille thinks Brandi is fun to be around, and we will soon learn exactly what that means, but I wont spoil the surprise for you.

Time to visit Lisa and Taylor. Lisa wants everyone to know its Taylors birthday! Lisa is trying so hard to cheer up Taylor its almost painful to watch, but Taylor does seem happier — her lip injections are smiling. Meanwhile, Pandoras friends all look a little miserable to be stuck with two old bags who are stealing all their thunder, but lets face it, this is Lisas big day, not Pandys.

Back at the Palms, its girls night out! So, Adrienne and her tiny gaggle of friends bump and grind in a very small, exclusive spot on the dance floor where actual men cant get to them. Then,Brandi and Camille grind against one another. Brandi puts her hands on Camilles hips, and it starts looking like the opening scene in a Skinemax movie. No wonder Camille likes Brandi. From the way Camille tells it, Brandi may be more masculine than Kelsey Grammer anyway.

Meanwhile, Lisa, Pandora and Taylor are dragged onto the stage at Chippendales to engage in a fake Dating Game type contest in which they must give some mostly undressed guy a lap dance. Pandora, realizing her mother is watching, wiggles cheerfully and quickly sits down. Lisa, however, rubs her butt in some guys face and loses all of her English reserve.Taylor sort of hops up and down, so Lisa is named the winner. After spending much of the evening moaning about being the mother of the bride and how she didnt want to see sex toys or have any kind of bachelorette behavior inflicted on her, Lisa finally unleashes her inner skank and seems quite happy about it.

Kyle, who is preparing to host a white party, goes to Kathy Hiltons consignment store with Estella. Family plug! Estella picks out a dress thats painfully 80s, and after arranging to purchase said dress, Kyle walks outside of the store — and bumps into Kim! Kyle drags her back into the store like a prize turkey, even though Kim doesnt want to see Estella for some random reason. But none of that matters, because Kyle wants To Talk.

I thought this might be a case of Kyle lecturing Kim about being the worlds crappiest sister, but instead it turns into a tearful flip-out by Kim before Kyles said boo.Kim tells Kyle that her daughters Brooke and Kimberly are taking the move hard. Kim cries. Her daughters dont like her boyfriend Ken. Why cant everybody be happy for her? She cant eat! Shes been alone 18 years. Shes tired of being alone. Maybe Kyle can help her talk to her kids? She sobs. Kim crumples up like a snotty Kleenex. Kyle, who must be getting pretty good at handling lunatics between her sister and Taylor, tries to comfort Kim. She worries that Kim isnt eating (shes not). We now have two Skeletors on the show, fabulous. I guess its probably a good thing we havent seen much of Kim, because Kim is holding things together with spit and elementary school paste, and Im not sure turning a camera on the whole mess would have helped. But I think we can come to one conclusion – she needs to hire movers.

Oh my Lord of the Rings — next week, Kyle has her white party — and apparently has to uninvited Russell. AS HE SHOWS UP AT THE DOOR. WITH TAYLOR. So brace yourself for yet another uncomfortable episode of RHoBH!

Do you think Kims boyfriend is a bad influence? Which do you think was better — Adriennes party or Lisas party? Do you think Taylor really cant remember Brandis party?

Martin O’Neill has made it fun again at Sunderland, says David Vaughan

David Vaughan believes Sunderlands players are already benefiting from the self-belief that Martin ONeill has begun to instil in them.

The former Blackpool midfielder scored a sublime late equaliser on Sunday when his sidemarked ONeills first game in charge with a last-gasp win against Blackburn Rovers atthe Stadium of Light courtesy of Sebastian Larssons 90th-minute free-kick.

It felt different out there, said Vaughan, who feels Steve Bruces successor is making football fun again on Wearside. The new manager has come in and given us back some belief. He wantsus to go out there and express ourselves a bit and try to enjoy playing football. That helped us.

The last week with the new manager has been good. Training has been good. We have been having shorter, sharper sessions. We have had more tempo in the sessions and it has just been aimed at trying to get everyone enjoying their football again.

Hes been very supportive and has been telling us what he wants from us. He believes in the players he has got here and that gives us self-belief and confidence.

First impressions have been good. He seems to be fair with everyone. He has been approachable and seems to be someone who you want to play for. Sometimes it can be difficult when a new manager comes in because you are not sure which players he wants to have in his team or what his ideas will be. But he has come in and put his marker down on the team and its up to the players now.

Vaughan helped Sunderland to record only their third home win since New Years Day, and his attentions are now turning to the match against Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane on Sunday. Tottenham away is not going to be easy, the midfielder said.

We have shown we have enough quality in the squad to deliver in the Premier League. We have greater confidence now and we have climbed out of the bottom three – but that has to be just the start.

We cant just rest on our laurels. We have to keep going, particularly at home,and climb the table up to where we want to be.

Gary Takes Off to Fun in the Central Florida Sun

GARY, Ind., Dec 12, 2011 (GlobeNewswire via COMTEX) –
Allegiant

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today announces new, nonstop jet service between Gary, Ind., and Orlando, Fla., via Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB), will begin Feb. 15, 2012. The company, known for its exceptional travel deals, will introduce the new service to Gary residents with fares as low as $69.99* one-way.

“We’re pleased to bring an affordable and convenient travel option to Gary,” Andrew C. Levy, Allegiant Travel Company President, said. “We are confident that the Gary community will appreciate flying nonstop to Orlando and take advantage of the great deals we offer on hotels, car rentals and theme park tickets.”

“The Gary/Chicago International Airport is delighted to welcome Allegiant Travel Company to Northwest Indiana and the Chicagoland area,” said Steven Landry, Interim Director of the Gary Chicago International Airport. “Our partnership with such a renowned and established company in the travel industry is an incredibly positive step towards fulfilling a key aspect of the airport’s Strategic Business Plan.”

The new flights will operate twice weekly between Gary/Chicago International Airport (GYY) and Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB). For flight days and times, please visit
www.allegiant.com .

With plenty of shopping, dining, outdoor activities and entertainment, Orlando offers vacationers the perfect getaway. Located in the heart of Central Florida, Orlando is home to the world’s most exciting theme parks including Walt Disney World, Universal Studios and SeaWorld. Orlando’s famous International Drive is more than 10 miles long and features more than 100 hotels, 450 stores, several attractions and two major outlet malls. Orlando is also home to more than 175 golf courses, many of which were designed by pro golfers such as Greg Norman, Tom Watson, Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus.

Allegiant provides low-cost car rental service through its partnership with Alamo Rent a Car.

Allegiant’s $69.99* one-way introductory fare is limited, must be purchased by Jan. 4, 2012, and is valid for travel by May. 15, 2012. Introductory fares are not available on all flights.

Reservations can be made on the airline’s website at
www.allegiant.com or by calling the company’s travel experts at 702-505-8888.

About the $69.99* one-way fares:

Seats are limited. Fares are one-way and not available on all flights. Must be purchased by Jan. 4, 2012, for travel by May 15, 2012. Prices do not include PFC, segment tax or Sept. 11th security fee of up to $10.70 per segment. A segment is one take-off and one landing. A convenience fee of $10.00 per passenger, per segment is included in the introductory one-way fare. A fee of $14.99 per segment, will apply when purchased through Allegiant call centers. Purchases made at any Allegiant Airport Ticket Office will not incur a convenience or call center fee. For ticket counter hours of operation, please visit
www.allegiant.com . When purchased at the time of booking, a checked bag fee of $19.99 per bag, per segment will apply for the first two (2) checked bags. If purchased at flight check-in, a fee of $35 per checked bag, per person, per segment will apply for the first two bags checked. In all cases, additional higher fees will apply for three or more checked bags. Fare rules, routes and schedules are subject to change without notice. Restrictions apply.

Allegiant, travel is our deal.

Las Vegas-based Allegiant Travel Company

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has posted 35 consecutive quarters of profitability. The company is focused on linking travelers in small cities to world-class leisure destinations such as Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Phoenix-Mesa, Orlando, Fla., and Tampa/St. Petersburg, Fla. Through its subsidiary, Allegiant Air, the company operates a low-cost, high-efficiency, all-jet passenger airline offering air travel and hotel rooms, rental cars and other travel-related services. The company ranked ninth this year in Forbes’ Best Small Companies. Allegiant was also recently named one of FORTUNE magazine’s “100 Fastest-Growing Companies” for the second consecutive year. In 2011 and 2010, Allegiant ranked 64th and 25th, respectively, on FORTUNE magazine’s Fastest-Growing Companies list. In 2010, Allegiant was ranked number one for low-cost carriers in Aviation Week’s Top Performing Airline study. Receive breaking news from Allegiant by visiting Allegiant’s Facebook Fan Page at
www.facebook.com/Allegiant or follow Allegiant on Twitter at twitter.com/allegianttravel.

The Allegiant Travel Company logo is available at

http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=8305

This news release was distributed by GlobeNewswire,
www.globenewswire.com

SOURCE: Allegiant Travel Company

CONTACT: Allegiant Media Contact:
Kristine Shattuck-Cooper
Phone: 702-853-4625
Email: mediarelations@allegiantair.com

(C) Copyright 2010 GlobeNewswire, Inc. All rights reserved.

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Add ALGT to portfolio

ALGT

Allegiant Travel Co.


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Volume: 182,104
Dec. 30, 2011 4:00p

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Add ALGT to portfolio

ALGT

Allegiant Travel Co.


$
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Volume: 182,104
Dec. 30, 2011 4:00p

Have fun AND learn at the zoo!

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (Mass Appeal) – Where can you have fun and learn something at the same time? The Forest Park Zoo!  Teralyn la chance is the assistant education director at the zoo and she brought some fun creatures for us to play with and we got up close and personal with them right here in studio 1A. 

THE FOREST PARK ZOO

The Zoo in Forest Park and Education Center is a non-profit organization governed by the Forest Park Zoological Society. Situated in Forest Park, a 735 acre woodland park in Springfield, the Zoo features exotic and indigenous animals representing a large variety of species found throughout the world and in North America.

The Zoo is dedicated to wildlife education and offers a variety of educational programs and special events for children and adults. Zoo On The Go, Guided Tours, and Discovery Programs can be adapted to all age groups and interests. Different events almost every weekend allow guests to explore all aspects of science, while having a good time. Animal Tales in July and August introduces the mystery and excitement of nature through literature. Zoo Camp, during both winter and summers school vacations all children ages 6-11 to explore nature, discover wildlife and meet exotic creatures.

South squad — and fun — prevail at Bayside all-star game

The second annual Bayside Senior All-Star football game concluded with team South defeating team North 38-22 on a very dry, chilly Saturday evening at Sea Gull Stadium.

For many of the high school seniors, this last game under the lights was not only to a time to put on a display for college recruiters across the country, but also a chance for them to enjoy playing the game they love most in front of family and friends for the final time in their high school careers.

Its very competitive between the South and North — we want to win, but at the same time we just want to come out here and have fun, said Wicomico High School running back OJ Byrd, the Souths Offensive MVP. Im glad (we) won and had a good time (doing so).

Byrd finished the night with 114 yards on 16 carries and three touchdowns.

The game was tied 14-14 at halftime. The teams seemed to rival each other drive for drive, both rushing and through the air. The game remained close until the fourth quarter, when, with the South squad ahead 31-22, Wicomico wideout/kick/punt returner Corray Heath returned a kickoff 86 yards for a touchdown with 6:36 left to play. The play came on the heels of a team North touchdown.

Team Souths defense stepped in from that point on and sealed the victory.

When we came together as a team, it seemed like we played well, said Stephen Decatur High School linebacker John Lewis, team Souths Defensive MVP. We (showed) teamwork. Everyone did their job.

Lewis finished the night with 13 tackles (four solo), with one tackle for a loss.

Decatur coach Bobby Knox, now in his second year coaching the South team, thought his players showed a great team effort.

The kids played hard, he said. All the kids got to play. I think they had a lot of fun.

At the end, members of both teams met each other at the 50 yard line and congratulated one another, wishing each other well before heading off the field for the last time.

Sportsmanship is great, Knox said. The players are fortunate enough to have coaches in this conference who (are willing) to volunteer their time to (come together) so they could have one last hurrah.

There was a little trash talk (during the game), but whats football without (it)? Lewis asked. At the end of the game everyone was like, Yeah, its over. It was a good game. It seemed like all the rivalries had ended.

WATCH: Alec Baldwin Pokes Fun at American Airlines in ‘SNL’ Sketch

Alec Baldwin isnt one to let a scandal just blow over! The 30 Rock star paid a visit to Saturday Night Live on Dec. 10 to make fun of American Airlines for ejecting him from a flight last week for continuing to play WordsWith Friends on his phone.

During the Weekend Update news segment, Seth Meyers introduces mustachioed American Airlines pilot Capt. Steve Rogers (Baldwin in costume), who says hes there to publicly apologize to Baldwin.

It was very important for me to come here tonight and on behalf of every one at American Airlines and issue an apology to Mr.Alec Baldwin, Rogers says in his thick Southern accent.

Alec are you sure this is the right way to handle this, Meyers stage-whispers to Baldwin, who breaks character and replies Yeah, keep going!

Then, the apologetic Capt. Rogers continues to ask for Baldwins forgiveness.

Mr. Baldwin is an American treasure, and I am ashamed of the way he was treated, he continues. What harm would it do to let him keep playing his game? Not any game, mind you, but a word game — for smart people!

When Seth asks, But dont phones interfere with the planes communication system? Rogers is dismissive.

Would you really get on an airplane that flew 30,000 feet in the air if you thought one Kindle switch would take it down? Come on! Its just a cruel joke perpetrated by the airline industry!

There you have it, folks. Baldwin is unlikely to receive a real apology from American Airlines, so he made one up himself!

Watch the sketch below!

Holiday fun for family and friends at ELC

WABASSO –
Due to popular demand, the Environmental Learning Center (ELC) is featuring several special adventures during this holiday season. Explorers of all ages can remain in Indian River County and treat themselves to an adventure of a lifetime.

A perfect getaway package for teens, ages 12-17, the “Winter Break Campout for Students” features three days and two nights that include paddling kayaks to an island in the Indian River Lagoon where they’ll set up base camp. Daily expeditions include exploring untouched islands that are teaming with wildlife. Teen adventurers will journey through winding mangrove trails and observe the secret lives of the wildlife that reside within the most biodiverse waterways in North America. Activities include days of sun and fresh air, and nights under the stars. What a way to spend a break from school with your friends from Dec. 27-29! This complete three-day package is all inclusive at $355 per person, $345 for ELC members.

Grandparents, aunts, uncles and anyone else experiencing the unfamiliar pitter-patter of little feet under their roof can begin planning an EcoVenture that is ideal for kids of all ages and the young at heart. Visit DiscoverELC.org to learn about the fun programs that have been added with you in mind. Sign up for a boat ride back in history and enjoy the many wonders of Pelican Island, where President Theodore Roosevelt once stood and proclaimed this precious estuary as the nation’s first wildlife preserve. Plan a guided nature walk with your not so tiny tots (recommended for ages 4-8) at the “For Grandparents and Grandkids.”

If you enjoy paddling amongst nature’s bounty, you will enjoy canoeing and kayaking adventures that launch on a regular schedule from the ELC’s dock and various other locations throughout the county.

All programs are offered to the public with discounts for ELC members. The “EcoVentures Calendar” is available for viewing online at DiscoverELC.org. Reservations are required for most programs, so planning in advance is encouraged. There are also many free activities, which are included in the price of admission.

The Environmental Learning Center is located at 255 Live Oak Drive in Vero Beach, north of Vero Beach off County Road 510 at the end of the Wabasso Bridge. Its 64-acre campus includes exhibit areas, native plant gardens, picnic facilities, gift shop, and visitor center. For more information about ELC membership benefits, and the EcoVentures Calendar visit http://DiscoverELC.org or call the ELC at 772-589-5050.

Have Fun That’s Actually Fun — For You

One of my favorite secrets of adulthood is, Just because something is fun for other people doesnt mean its fun for me, and vice versa. This sounds simple, but it actually was a huge breakthrough for me. So many things that other people consider fun are not fun for me, and it took me an astonishingly long time to realize that. Drinking wine, shopping, doing crossword puzzles, cooking, most games… I just dont enjoy those activities. But reading! Ah, reading is fun for me.

Even now, I have to remind myself that people go skiing because they honestly want to go skiing, not because they are made from a sterner moral fiber than I.

Ive realized, too, that its important to think about this in the context of my family. If I want to have fun with my family, I need to make sure that were doing activities that — at least some of the time — are honestly fun for me. Otherwise, I just get bored and try to end things, or even sneak away. Was it Jerry Seinfeld who said, Theres no such thing as fun for the whole family? Well, Im trying.

For instance, each night I read aloud to my 6 year old, and Im very careful to choose books that we both like. She loves some books that I just dont enjoy at all, but if those books are the choice, that reading time becomes a drag instead of a pleasure for me. There are so many books we can both enjoy, so why not make sure that its fun for me as well as fun for her?

Obviously, as a parent, I cant follow this rule all the time. My children enjoy things that arent much fun for me, so I get my fun vicariously, by watching their fun. But Ive decided to try to steer our activities more to things that we all find fun, because then Im so much more enthusiastic.

Weve all heard the saying, All work and no play make Jack a dull boy. But play, to be play, must truly be fun; the fact that other people find it fun, or I wish I found it fun, or I think I ought to find it fun, doesnt make it fun for me.

One of the great mysteries of happiness is: Why is it so hard to be Gretchen? Why is it so hard to know my own likes and dislikes? It seems that nothing should be more obvious than the question of what I find fun, yet I have to think hard about this, all the time. (On the subject of fun, here are the three types of fun.) In The Luminous Ground, Christopher Alexander remarks, It is hard, so terribly hard, to please yourself. Far from being the easy thing that it sounds like, it is almost the hardest thing in the world, because we are not always comfortable with that true self that lies deep within us.

This principle doesnt only apply to children, but also fun with your sweetheart, fun with your family, fun with your friends, fun with your co-workers. Have you found any good ways to have fun with others thats also fun for you? What do you find fun?

* There was an interesting post by Tara Parker-Pope of the New York Times about the importance of generosity in marriage, with a quiz to determine, Do you have a generous relationship? I love a quiz.

Im working on my Happiness Project, and you could have one, too! Everyones project will look different, but its the rare person who cant benefit. Join in — no need to catch up, just jump in right now. Each Fridays post will help you think about your own happiness project.

Want to get my free monthly newsletter? It highlights the best of the months material from the blog and the Facebook Page. Sign up here or email me at gretchenrubin1@gretchenrubin.com.

Zac Efron ‘Really Had Fun’ with Nicole Kidman

Zac Efron avoids the rain as he runs into LAX Airport on Monday (December 12) in Los Angeles.

The 24-year-old New Years Eve actor headed inside and went straight through to security for his departing flight.

PHOTOS: Check out the latest pics of Zac Efron

Zac recently spoke with E! about not only getting to kiss co-star Michelle Pfeiffer in New Years Eve, but also getting close with Nicole Kidman in the thriller The Paperboy.

Its high-class problems, Zac joked about Michelles kiss. Ill just say I am very happy. It was a lot of takes.

Its fun, Zac teased when asked about his scenes with Nicole. We get to really have some fun.