After sledding with the niece and nephew yesterday — lots of fun — I went home and made ribbon pumpkin bread. I had to bake it for almost twice the time indicated in the recipe, and it was still pretty mushy inside. Tastes good, but it’s not really worth the amount of points, so I doubt I’d make it again.

(See part I and part II.)

It amuses me when people are oddly specific about what they’re looking for in a partner, or when they state the obvious (you’d think with the cost of these ads that people would condense, condense, condense). A lot of women put in their ads that they’re looking for someone “non-abusive.” It’s right up there with non-smoker, non-drinker. Then there’s things like this:

Seeking a tall, White businessman, age compatible, attractive shade/color hair. . . . Classy appearance when not dressed casually.

Some people also state the obvious about themselves. One guy is an “adoptable, adaptable, adorable WWM” with “matching bright blue eyes.” And a “pleasure loving” woman tacks on at the end of her ad, “Enjoys sexual activities.”

And of course, there’s a neverending supply of WTF. From Men Seeking Women:

Correctional institute inmate. Charismatic SBM, 26, 5′6″, 185 lbs., going crazy from unshared love, rue, sensations. ISO attentive, titillating personality that’ll whisper beautiful ballads into my ear with each thought of you, yes you.

And from Women Seeking Men:

RV, financially self-sufficient, retired military, etc. Baggage-free, take to the road, itinerary input, frequent home visits, and all expenses paid by one to two fun straight blondes, 49 forever. Mostly along southeast coast, lacking a very experienced huge luxury motor coach.

Are they looking for a guy or a vehicle? Or is there a dirty metaphor in there that I don’t get?

Apparently Carnation’s classic five-minute fudge turns out the same whether you follow the recipe or just dump all the ingredients in a pot, start it all cooking, then realize that’s not what the instructions said to do, vainly try to remove the marshmallows, chocolate, vanilla and salt from the melting goo, and wind up just stirring till your arm falls off. Then again, it’s sugar and butter and marshmallows and chocolate. How can you really go wrong?

I made these pumpkin-bran muffins tonight — part of the getting-back-on-diet thing, of course — and they turned out salty as all get out. I know I put in the amount of salt called for; I did, however, accidentally spill a buttload of ginger into the bowl. Connection? Some kind of chemical mishap involving the baking powder? Bottom line is, I won’t be making them again.