Wow, can you believe Thanksgiving is now just a memory and it is already December? I know, I know…me either…..so, if you want to get into the holiday spirit, think Starry Nights.

What is Starry Nights? Why, it is the Mid-South’s favorite holiday light display. It was a holiday tradition back in the 90’s- it’s been “dark” for 10 years- now back this time to benefit Shelby Farms Park Conservancy.

Starry Nights 2009 will feature more than a million environmentally friendly LED lights illuminating dozens of all-new displays along with some of your old favorites. Pile your family in the car and be ready to drive the mile and half long, winding road through Shelby Farms Park to see (as they describe it as ) the dazzling light displays come to life. At the end of the show, you can visit the Starry Nights Village. There you can buy the Starry Nights 2009 holiday CD (featring the voice of one Steve Conley,) other merchandise and even hot choclate.

Purchase advance tickets at any First Tennessee Bank and you can use the special entrance (no waiting at Walnut Grove)…prices are $20 per car…see their website or call 767- PARK for pricing details on shuttles, minibuses, etc. Starry Nights runs through January 2nd.

Shopping this fun this weekend.

Okay, for those of who like to shop...would you like to know about an an around the world shopping experience? You only need to make your way to Germantown to Tout le Monde at 9067 Poplar at Forest Hill Irene. We welcome them as a new advertiser here at Classic Hits 94.1.

It is a wonderful store, full of unique gifts and accessories, plus custom décor for your home or office…..

And this Saturday, 11/14, your invited to the Tout le Monde holiday open house from 10 - 7, with beverages and snacks at 5.

Make the time to explore Tout le Monde, Italian and French gifts, foods from the south of France, liquid metal design jewelry and clothing, in home fragrances, and when it comes to enhancing your home or office, you’ll find furniture and lamps, plus they offer decorative advice and assistance, whether you need their in-house decorator or seamstress, or simply desire the perfect custom window treatments or custom bedding.

And Christmas can have a whole new dimension when you arrive at Tout le Monde, in fact you should ask for Deborah or Susan to help make your Christmas experience extra memorable. And be sure to stop by the holiday open house. It’s Tout le Monde for gifts, accessories and custom décor.

Happy Shopping!

Race for the Cure Oct. 31st!

Hard to believe it’s almost time to Race for the Cure in the fight against breast cancer.

It’s October 31st at the Shops of Saddlecreek in Germantown.

There is no race day registration, so get on over to the race store and get signed up!

Here are all the details about the race store straight from the RFTC website. :)

The Race Store is at the Carrefour shopping center
at the corner of Poplar and Kirby

(near Macaroni Grill and Borders).
6645 Poplar Ave, Suite 101
Germantown, TN 38138

RACE STORE HOURS
Day / Time Time

Wednesday, October 28th 4:00 pm 9:00 pm
Thursday, October 29th 4:00 pm 9:00 pm
Friday, October 30th 9:00 am 9:00 pm

Friday, October 30th is the final day for walk-up and online registration.

See you Saturday!!

Skate for Fun and Fitness

It’s time to get moving.

Remember how much you once enjoyed skating? When you got exercise and did not even realize it?

You need to know about Tuesday nights at FunQuest Skate in Collierville…. It’s Family Night….6 to 9pm …$4 admission to skate plus once inside, buy a pizza for $10 bucks and get a free pitcher of soda. Kids and parents can skate, but if you as a parent choose to just kick back and socialize with the other non skaters inside, so be it! Kids (and adults!) love to skate at Funquest!!

I’ll be there this Tuesday night (10/20) ready to skate, have fun and pass out KQK prizes! J

Find out more on the Funquest Skate website. http://www.funquestskate.com/

Funquest is on Hwy 72 in Collierville, behind the Freds. Call 850-1124.

Look for us at Wolfchase Galleria

Look for Conley and Karen next time you are at the Wolfchase Mall in Cordova.....we'll be looking at you. :)

Classic Hits 94.1 KQK to party in Collierville!

This Saturday night is the night for a fun fund raiser in Collierville. I have been going for years, now I am excited to announce Classic Hits 94.1 will be a part of the fun!

See the Official press release below or check them out on line at www.mainstreetcollierville.org

Party for Preservation & Taste of the Town with a French Quarter Flair

The 17th Annual Partners in Preservation Party & Taste of the Town, themed “Mardi Gras on Main Street” is scheduled for Saturday, October 3, from 6:00 to 11:00 p.m. on Collierville’s Historic Town Square. Sponsored by Brewer’s Pool & Landscaping Company, Superior Auto Body of Collierville, Fossett Paving Company, American National Insurance, Pepsi Americas, The Collierville Herald, Toof Printing, Champion Awards & Apparel, Classic Hits 94.1 KQK, AT Home Tennessee magazine, Hardy’s “Wines of Australia”, Affordable Party Rentals, Audio Enthusiasts along with the Town of Collierville. This major fundraiser assists Main Street Collierville in hosting many of the events held on the Square each year such as the Sunset on the Square Summer Concert Series, Treats on the Square, Veteran’s Day Ceremony and Magic on Main Street Movie Night.

Over 20 area restaurants will be serving their sweet and savory specialties as part of the “Taste of the Town” gourmet event. Guests can enjoy strolling the Town Square park that will be transformed into a French Quarter area. The Creole spirit can be experienced by stopping by Fat Tuesday Avenue where you will find Southern Hands, Costco, Red Robin & Jim’s Place then strolling onto to Fleur de Lis Lane featuring Corky’s, Booya’s, Chick-fil-A, O’Charley’s, Half Shell, Kooky Canuck, Bangkok Alley, Memphis Pizza Cafe, Homemade Gourmet, Blue Coast Burrito, and Gus’s Fried Chicken. Also, stop by King Cake Alley where you will find Cake & Catering, Tastefully Simple, Fino Villa, and Domino’s with a final stop at Zulu Zone featuring Mister B’s, The Rendezvous, and Rita’s.

Live entertainment will be provided by Van Gogh’s Ear during the evening along with many items generously donated by local businesses in the silent and live auction areas. Be prepared to bid on items such as CJ Lilly’s Flowers for a year, a New Orleans catered dinner package, a 1 week stay in a Condo in Gulf Shores, Al and Destin, Florida, a guided fishing trip on Kentucky Lake, reserved seating for Sunset on the Square Summer Concerts, along with a a limo ride and wine dinner for 6 at Café Piazza. So grab your beads and let the good times roll to party for Preservation!

Tickets are $50.00 per person or for a table for 10, $500.00. For more information, contact Main Street Collierville at 853-1666 or visit us on the web at www.mainstreetcollierville.org.

Bank of Mom and Dad

SOAPnet wants to get the word out on the new reality show BANK OF MOM AND DAD...sure it sounds simple and easy......yeah, you know better!!

So the deal is, each week a twenty-something woman who is drowning in debt must pay the ultimate price ... letting her parents move in! Add a financial expert to the mix and Mom and Dad will teach their darling daughter to rethink her spending habits and reform her relationship with money.

It's at 9pm Memphis time on Wednesday, September 30.

Pizza favorites around Memphis!

We were talking pizza today on the Classic Hits 94.1 morning show with Steve Conley and Karen Perrin.

Our discussion was prompted by a national survey that named Papa Murphy's Take 'N' Bake Pizza the favorite. But we wanted to know what folks around here were thinking…. So, we took PLENTY of calls….here are many (if not all!) of the suggestions….we just got so many.... both local and national. So, in no particular order…….


Café Piazza in Collierville

Memphis Pizza Café

Wise Guys in Southaven

Pizza Hut

Mama Mia’s

Victors Pizza in Holly Springs

Broadway Pizza

Skimos

Exlines

Ciao Bella

Johnny Bruscos

Old Venice

Pete N Sams

Colletta’s

Papa Johns

Italia in Desoto County

Pietro’s (sp?)

* thanks to Cafe Piazza for the tasty picture above!!*

Things I never thought I'd do........

1) I never thought I’d….enjoy gardening, but as of this month I have now successfully planted 10 shrubs. 3 are successfully flowering azaleas.

2) I never though I’d……let my boys play ice hockey...not because I am over protective, I just don't want the 45-minute drive to the ice rink. We are signing up my nine year old this week.

3) I never thought I’d ….care that my boys don't get straight A's. I want my boys to get all A's, nary a B. A mom can dream can’t she. :)

4) And finally, I never really thought of myself as competitive, however, in our KQK Challenge I tied the listener and Steve decided that meant tie goes to the listener. Cool, give him the prize, but I want a tie in my column, not a loss! :) Also, while I tell my kids it's not whether they win or lose it's how they play the game...I must admit I enjoy when our team wins. Just being honest! Have a great day.

I love John Smoltz!

For those of you that have known me a long time, you are all too well aware of my love of baseball. Since the 90’s, I have been an Atlanta Braves fan. Since the teams arrival, I have followed the Memphis Redbirds. Even after I had both of my children, while my leisure hours to watch the game on TV waned, I was still pulled to the game with my children as they played.

Why is baseball my sport of choice?
One reason, one man…John Smoltz.

When I got married, we got cable to watch the Braves on the SuperStation! :) I had to find a reason to watch all these games with my husband. The team was loaded with superstars….Maddox, Glavine, Avery…..and those were just some of the pitchers. But it was John Smoltz that I was drawn too. I watched all the games, but every 4th game was the best as that was his night to start. “Why Smoltz?” my husband always asked. I guess I just thought he was cute. Turns out he was good too! Steve has always joked I would leave my husband for him. :) Over the years I cheered for him. I dreamed of meeting him. But alas, the closest I came was actually attending a Braves game in Atlanta and watching him be presented a pre game award back in the late 90’s.

Over the years, my Braves changed. We lost McGriff, Pendelton, Lopez, Lofton, and so many more. Smoltz had injuries, changed to a closer, but still my enthusiasm was intact. Then when I heard he was no longer going to be a Brave, but at BoSox team member, I thought it’s time to make the move to the American League. We tried, but alas, that was short lived and Boston let him go. Then just yesterday the news came……

John Smoltz will be a St. Louis Cardinal.

Baseball allegiance in the Perrin house has now officially changed. Out with the Braves and in with the Cards. (Only fitting since we already enjoy our Triple A Memphis Redbirds.)

So, world today you have a new St. Louis Cardinals fan and one excited Smoltz fan….I think it’s time for a road trip to St. Louis!! :)

Heart!!

A SOLD OUT show Live at the Garden HEART!

And, yes that is me separating the Wilson sisters!

Here I am with Sheri Misner from Live at the Garden,

we are waiting to meet the band!

Here I am waiting to go on stage to

make announcements with Sheri and

Jim Duncan, Executive Director of the Memphis Botanic Garden.

What a fun night!! Great show!!

Call Me Invincible!

Pat Benatar and Blondie are making stop in Memphis on August 1st at Mud Island. Promises to be a fantastic show!

When I was growing up, I wanted to be Pat Benatar. She rocks and is still cool today.

I know Blondie will be great too!! Can't wait!!

Back on the Blog

It has been quite some time since I last blogged…..sadly, I feel like I start many of my blogs off this way. I enjoy blogging, expressing thoughts, sharing ideas and funny stories, but sometimes it just falls to the bottom of the “things to do“ list. I just got back from vacation. We went to Walt Disney World. That alone would be worthy of at least 3 or 4 blogs. The best rides, best restaurants, favorite moments, amount of times I wanted to strangle my husband. :) The blogging opportunities are endless.

But instead, yesterday I spent the afternoon in a hot office with 5 other co workers for an HR meeting on benefits and stuff. Great to have benefits, but really not necessary to have an hour long meeting telling me only one thing has changed since last years hour long meeting.

Steve is on vacation for the next few days. My friend Ron thinks he is up to something, we just can’t figure out exactly what.
Is he out of town?
Is he having a surgery of some kind? Plastic surgery perhaps?
Is he serving time?
Is he cleaning out his closet?
With Steve, one can really never be sure.

Things going on this weekend, one is Joe Cocker at the Live at the Garden Concert Series. Weather looks like it will be great. Enjoy if you go.

I guess I am finally able to blog today since Steve is on vacation and not hogging the computer. We not only are forced to share an office, we have to share a phone and a computer. First one in the office when we get off the air gets the computer. I guess I’ll just have to be faster when he is back next week.

Have a great day!

Power Outage

For those of you who live here in the Memphis area, you are all too aware of the storm system that moved through Friday night. Pretty scary deal as it was so unusually dark at 5:00ish and way windy. So, like about 130,000 of my closest friends, I was without power for part of the weekend. My thoughts?


Luckily it was not too hot.


I appreciate a cold drink, especially when I can't open my refrigerator to get one.


It is hard for me to sit and home and NOT do laundry. (I was going crazy!)


I am on the computer much more than I realized. I was having email withdrawal.


My kids can survive without TV....However, bless my neighbor who had a generator to power his TV so we could watch game 7 of the Stanley Cup!! Yeah Pittsburgh!!


How can I check the MLGW website for outage updates when I have no power?


Then, if used all my cell battery to check online from my phone, how would I recharge the phone?


It's good to still have a land line with a CORDED phone. (I could not get cell service immediately after the storm. Could you?)


It's good to have flashlights, lanterns, batteries and candles actually know where to find them. :)


I am one of the lucky ones. My power came back on Saturday afternoon. Sure, we lost some frozen/refrigerated food...in fact we have been grilling out all weekend to cook up the thawing meat. :)


So, I continue to check the MLGW website for my family members who still do not have power, but want to stick it out at their own homes. (I offered!) That MLGW outage map can take a while to pull up, but eventually you can see that they are making progress. They are even twittering for those of you so inclined to play along.


And my final thought on the power outage is just this.....why, when you know that there is no power, no electricity at all and you even have a flashlight in your hand.....why do you still flip on that light switch when you walk into another room? :)

golf joke

Since this is the weekend for the St. Jude Classic here in Memphis and we all have golf on our mind, it only seemed appropriate to pass along a golf joke I got from my friend Ed....here goes........................

A recent study found the average golfer walks about 900 miles a year.

Another study found golfers drink on average 22 gallons of alcohol a year.

That means, on average, golfers get about 41 miles to the gallon. :)

Train! Live at the Garden!

Live at the Garden 2009 is in full swing. Last night (6/5) I headed over to the Memphis Botanic Garden to see Train and opening act Sister Hazel.

The night was fantastic. The temperature was perfect. The grounds at the gardens were ripe and ready for the festive atmosphere of the evening. While I must admit I was there to see Train, Sister Hazel certainly did not disappoint. The band, who has done their share of shows here Memphis, still seems to genuinely love this town. They are fun to watch, fine musicians and entertained in between songs as well. As they wrapped up their set, the audience waited for Train. Then, it seemed suddenly without introduction (but I might simply have not been paying attention!) the melodic tones of Pat Monahan echoed through the park. What a fine stage show we were about to see….among the hits, Meet Virginia, Calling All Angels and When I Look to the Sky. We enjoyed a rockin’ cover of Led Zeppelin’s Ramble On……Pat was very Robert Plant-esque. It was a really good concert. Even those fringe Train fans I think left with a new appreciation of the band. Drops of Jupiter came near the end of the show. I wish they had played Cab…I like that song. And while I do know it was a band outing of Train, I would have loved to have heard Her Eyes which was one of the songs Pat did on his solo venture. My favorite song of the night was the second one…Get to You. What a song! Listen to the hook on Itunes and you may find you like it too.

So to sum up….Train was great! Live at the Garden is a social outing in Memphis not to be missed. Shows still to come as I write this as we embark on the summer of 2009…the Doobie Brothers, Joe Cocker, Heart and the Moody Blues. With a line up like this, you’ve got a good reason to get out of the house this summer and have some fun. : )

Where did May go?

I looked at the calendar and realized May is almost gone! Almost over....how did this happen? I guess when you have two kids in elementary school coupled with Memphis in May and all the 0ther events going on in this town, it is easy to lose track of time.

Memorial Day weekend is over...I don't know about you, but I could have used another day off. :) I did get some rest, visited with family. I also got stuck on some of those long weekend tv show marathons. I know I am a few years behind, but after a few back to back hours of Jon and Kate Plus 8, I now have a new TV show to watch. Watching some of the early episodes and comparing it to the premiere this season...wow. What pressure 8 kids and a reality show must put on your life. I know life is tough enough with two kids and a full time job. Up until last night, all the shows I had seen had them making comments on the couch together as if they were a united couple, but It was pretty sad last night. They were each on the couch alone.
Is it the fame?
Is it 8 kids?
Were they already growing apart and it was just time to acknowledge it?
It's also hard not to compare your own marriage and family life with kids to theirs when you watch...both good and bad.

And as if there was nothing else going on this weekend, the Sci Fi channel had a real blast from the past...a Land of the Lost marathon. Yes, Holly, Will and Dad on a routine expedition....that's how the song went.....sure it was an attempt to promote the upcoming Will Ferrell movie of the same name. Not sure how that movie will be...how can you duplicate Grumpy, Dopey and Cha-ka? :) And in watching this show from 1974.......is so evident how special effects have changed! The most challenging part was trying to explain the Sleestacks to my kids. :) But what I can't remember about the show is...how did it end?
Did they ever escape the Land of the Lost?
Did they ever make it home?
Were they ever able to change clothes?
I can't remember....maybe we'll find out in the all new high budget movie version of Land of the Lost.
Ah, every thing old is new again. :)

....mirror,mirror....

Who is beautiful? If you are not sure, the folks at People Magazine will tell you. Who is number one...gracing the cover of this years 2009 edition..... ...yes, Christina Applegate........

Going Green

Going green…this is an initiative we have been tasked with here at Classic hits 94.1. Is task the right word? Perhaps I should say this is a mission and we have chosen to accept it. (It seems some more willingly than others.) : ) Either way, our company wants us to think about the environment…and rightfully so. We are about to move in to a “green” building, much of it made with recycled or environmentally friendly materials.

Once we are inside, you’ll find eco-friendly initiatives, plus recycling and reusing. No more paper plates, plastic utensils or styrofoam cups. Whoa! Let’s focus on that last one…nor more disposable cups…that is a tough one for us morning show folks. We are a group of coffee lovers. For us, coffee is not a luxury it is a necessity. I have been working in morning radio for 15 years now. And now, I will now no longer use styrofoam cups. The 1Thing folks gave us each our own coffee mug, the ceramic washable kind! I’m about to label one as my own. While I do joke, this was a long time coming and probably one of the easier things we can do for the environment, simply trying to cut back on what we waste and starting with a little ol’ foam cup.

At home, I am already an avid recycler, if it’s glass, aluminum, or a “1” or “2” plastic, it’s in that recycle tub. When I finish reading a magazine or newspaper, in the recycle bin it goes. When it comes to yard work, we don’t bag our grass, we mulch it. (My husband would actually prefer never to mow it again, but that’s another blog for another day!) We rarely use our sprinkler; we leave the watering up to God. We turn old shirts into rags. We take old toys to Goodwill. We reuse paper bags for recycling and we reuse plastic store bags for trash or cleaning out the litter box. I already try to buy products made in the USA, now when it’s an option, I will look for items that are made with recycled products as well.

So, now at work, I will do my best to be “greener.” Will I be perfect, probably not. Products with excessive packing will manage to find a way into my life (have you seen how they package toys these days!!) And I am sure I’ll be spotted with a bottle of water now and again. But I do know anything I use that can be recycled will be recycled. You have to think every little bit counts. I will certainly try to do my part.

...ready to cook...

Our guest today on the Classic Hits 94.1 KQK Morning show (with Steve Conley and Karen Perrin ) was former Memphian Claire Robinson..as seen above. She has a new TV show on the Food Network….Five Ingredient Fix….wow 5 ingredients or less….my kind of show. Not only did she once live in Memphis and work in Midtown at Maggie’s Pharm, she was also in sales at FM 100 while Steve and I worked there. Her name has changed and now she is quite the cook. The show is on Saturday mornings at 8:30am on the Food Network and it is worth watching! : )

Happy Easter!

I hope you all had a Good Friday and are embarking on a Super Saturday as tomorrow is Easter. For those of us with kids, there are no sporting activities this weekend, thus these few extra minutes that I have to blog on a Saturday.

Now the real challenge for the day begins. What to do with "all" this free time?

Clean the house?

Get to the store to buy eggs to dye for Easter?

Decide I need new clothes for church tomorrow and go shopping?

Organize my closet? (right...NOT!)

Play outside with the kids?

Take a nap?

Grocery shop?

Take that pile of stuff to Goodwill?

Make another pile of stuff to take to Goodwill?

Do laundry?

Call my friend Darla and discuss the season finale of Friday Night Lights?

Sweep the garage?

Learn a second language?

Watch a movie?

Ah, so many choices....while all the things I "need" to do seem to fill up the list, the nap option seems to look the best! :)

I hope you have/had a great weekend (depending on when you read this) and you made the most of it!

Wake up weekday mornings with me!

Karen Perrin
Classic Hits 94.1 KQK
Steve Conley and Karen Perrin in the Morning
www.941kqk.com

...so many choices.....

So, Memphis was psyched when we got two...yes two...contestants on American Idol this season. So, imagine our disappointment when Alexis Grace got voted off the show last week. How did that happen? That girl can sing!!

Was it because we had two girls from Memphis and our votes were split?

Was it because half the city was on spring break?

Were the judges too harsh in their criticism and that swayed America's vote?

No way to know, but I do know after watching the show last night, the judges may have wished they used their save option and kept Alexis. She would have rocked on the show!! Motown night should have been great, and while there were a few stand out performances, overall it was not all I had hoped for. Well, tonight we will see who goes. I don't know who it will be, but I do know, Alexis should still be on the show! :)

Choosing what to watch tonight on TV will be quite challenging,....what to watch...what to DVR?!?!? The choices for me are....American Idol (a special Thursday night show since the President spoke on Tuesday,) The Office, Grey's Anatomy, Private Practice, ER and most important, what I will watch live Tiger Basketball!!! GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO TIGERS!!!!!!!! In your mind insert the Tiger Fight Song now!!! Sweet 16 baby!! Let's keep it rollin'!!

What else is on TV?

What else is on TV?
That is the question…….we are all watching American Idol here in Memphis since we have two contestants remaining in the top 11, both Lil and Alexis.

But what else is on your TV watch list…..here are some suggestions we got today on Classic Hits 94.1 KQK…….

ER

House

24

Amazing Race

Hell’s Kitchen

Ghost Hunters

Gray’s Anatomy

Lie To Me

Private Practice

Jon and Kate Plus 8

New Adventures of Old Christine

Gary Unmarried

And I added to the list my favorites, Friday Night Lights and The Office…..and finally, the other show I DVR each day is Days of Our Lives. I just can’t help myself! :)

....tis the season.....

Well, we are well into the school year and my boys had made it through the school year virtually sickness free...until this week!!

Is it because I thought to myself how lucky we had been on the sick front? I didn't even SAY it out loud....that's usually what it takes for me to jinx myself. :) Oh well, so that's how it goes. Zachary, my 8 year old, did have perfect attendance until Monday. That is when he had to miss school for a fever. He was feeling better and ready to return to school Tuesday. But get this, 30 minutes after I checked him in, I got a call from the school that my 6 year old, Walker, was not well!! So, he is home today with that darn fever.

I was laughing with Steve as he is the parent of only one child; he has not experienced the joy of passing sickness from kid to kid. I can only hope that this fever deal is short lived...and that my husband I don't get it either......so, now I’m off to disinfect the house, just in case :)

Have a great day and be well!!

Keeping up with American Idol

American Idol…it was a special Wednesday night performance show last night (2/25) with the results to come tonight. Our Idol expert Darla Atlas joined us with her predictions…she is hopeful for Adam and Allison as the top two vote getters. It is that third slot that is up for grabs. And for the AI purists among us, the concern is will it be Norman Gentle? Yes, the headband wearing silly guy who is hamming it up all the way through each round of the competition. How will America vote? What city has the most support for their contestant? Since we are in Memphis, I am still hopeful for Jasmine from Mississippi (even though she was not as good as she needed to be last night) or the guy from Conway, Arkansas. We will all watch and see!

Also, just for fun, Darla not only blogs about American Idol she is also a columnist. You can read her latest column at www.dallasnews.com go to the life/travel button then look under columnists and you’ll find it.….and yes, the Karen she is writing about is me. :)

Valentine Movie Suggestions

As it is Valentines weekend, we took a listener poll today on Classic Hits 94.1 KQK to find the most romantic movies….here they are……

The Notebook

Sleepless in Seattle

6 Days, 7 Nights

Nights in Rodanthe

Somewhere In Time

Under the Tuscan Sun

Thomas Crown Affair

P.S. I Love You

Message in a Bottle

Say Anything

Must Love Dogs

Ghost

Pretty Woman

French Kiss

City of Angels

You’ve Got Mail

Moonstruck

Gone with the Wind

An Affair to Remember

Pure Country

A Walk in the Clouds

Serendipity

The Illusionist

On Golden Pond

50 First Dates

It's Thursday......

Things on my mind today….

Joaquin Phoenix on David Letterman last night…wow…

Memphis own Lil Rounds and Alexis Grace advance to the final 36 in American Idol! YEA!

Valentines Day is Saturday…don’t forget your sweetie!!

Kooky Canuck (formerly the Big Foot Lodge) our Classic Hits 94.1 KQK discount dining deal (if you are not on our website, it is www.941kqk.com)

A special shout out to Kate Bond Elementary, I read to some classes there yesterday, what a great group of kids and teachers. Thanks for the invite to read!

The “new” 90210 TV show is better when the original cast members are on. And it goes without saying Rob Estes and Lori Laughlin are welcome additions! More adult time on the show!

I am trying to go days without drinking a soda of any kind, diet or regular. So far, so good, I’m on day 4.

While I remind everyone it’s Valentines day Saturday, I have yet to buy anything for anyone. Hmmmm…I’ve got some shopping to do today.

When my 6 year old reads to me, it makes me happy.

Love is in the air.....

The most romantic song of all time….what would it be? The NY Daily News created their top 100, in at #1 MY GIRL by The Temptations…while our listeners like that song, they did not think it was number one. In fact, today we compiled a list of Classic Hits 94.1 KQK listener romantic favorites…among them,

Unchained Melody – The Righteous Brothers (got the most votes on our station!)

When a Man Loves a Woman – Percy Sledge

Endless Love – Lionel Richie

Something - Beatles

You Light Up My Life – Debby Boone

Lady – any version by Kenny Rogers, Lionel Riche or Styx

I Can’t Fight This Feeling – REO Speedwagon

Anything by Air Supply

3 Times a Lady – The Commodores

I Will Always Love You – Whitney Houston

Faithfully- Journey

And anything by Barry White

...the day after the big game....

Today is the day, the day after the Big Game, the day that we all wished we had taken off. Whether you have a hangover (from food even) or you are just exhausted from yelling at the TV, the alarm seemed extra early today. I also stayed up to watch The Office which is one of my favorite shows.

Now would be a good time for me to mention that just a few years ago, when my oldest son Zachary was 6, he decided he would be a Pittsburgh Steelers fan. (In fact, such a fan, last year my son wanted to go to Pittsburgh on our family vacation, I must admit the beach won out over that one!) Anyway, last year when they got knocked out of the playoffs, my son still proudly displayed his Steelers garb in the off season. Well, today, I know my 8 year old was extra excited to wear those Steeler gold and black shirts. He even loaned his little brother a shirt.

So, back to the game, we cheered for the Steelers as did all but one guy at our party. He was a good sport about the whole thing. We all passively enjoyed many of the commercials, but with so many there was quite a bit of chatting, so you just catch the ads you can. The 3-D ads were a big hit, my youngest was more excited about that than the game.

As for the food, I brought Rotel dip, because no party is complete without Rotel. (For those who may not know, it’s a can of Rotel tomatoes and melted Velveeta cheese! YUM! ) Steve has always laughed at me for my love of Rotel, but it can’t be helped, and if you can’t have Rotel during THE football game, when can you have it!! My neighbor Jay decided to make wings. He worked on the perfect buffalo wind recipe for days. I was happy to be a test taster. He has decided this will be this “thing” you know, his signature dish of sorts. He is off to a great start. They were a hit. My husband supplied the extra hot sauce.

While the game, ads and food were fun, for me at this party there was one facet I had not experienced during a football game. I remind you here, that I have boys. In my house, it’s me, my two sons (Zachary who is 8 years old and Walker who is 6) and my husband. Well, several of the couples at the party we attended had little girls. The little girls decided to dress up in dance clothes (pink tutus and the like) and put on a “show!” As a kid I loved to play dress up! And while I did not join in, it was a nice change of pace for the little girls to “take the stage” dance, cheer and karaoke. But let me add, they did their share of cheering for the Steelers too….between costume changes!

the weather is not delightful......

The weather is cold that means it is winter in the mid south. Get that calendar going, you better know when Valentines Day is …..February 14th!! It’s on a Saturday this year, so no getting out of it guys!! At least do a breakfast in bed, which would get you off the hook for the rest of the day.

Then on Sunday, February 22nd, Steve and I invite you to Soup Sunday to benefit Youth Villages. This will be our first Soup Sunday because it was always sponsored by the radio stations across town…..well, now we are part of those stations! J More info to come on our website, but know it’s 2/22/09 from 11-2 at FedEx Forum, with free parking in the attached garage.

Speaking of soup, one of my favorite soups is the Hot and Sour from Formosa on Quince at Kirby. I love it. It is perfect in everyway. Perfect when you are sick, speaking of which, lots of folks are getting sick this time of year. Poor Brad who works here, his whole family is sick. It’s never fun when you or your spouse is sick, but throw in a sick kid or two and it makes even worse. Remember, especially this time of year, wash those hands! That[‘s my public service message for the day.

Have a great day,

Karen

I am back!

Here I am after a pretty long "non blog" writing drought...so much for that resolution to blog more! :)

As I write this it is a Friday and this is one of those Friday's that is very deserved. While you are online today, be sure to sign up for a spot at our Conley and Karen Chef's Table Class. If you got to my blog on our website, click on the contest bar that you can see. If not, go to http://www.941kqk.com/ and enter! You can also check out the music on this Class Reunion Weekend on our audio stream, check out Brad's tour of our upcoming new studio, and see footage from our free lunch day at Sole Restaurant downtown. (FYI...Sole is also our Discount Dining Deal partner and you can get a 1/2 price gift certificate to dine there.) Take advantage of all the cool things on our site.

So, I, like many of you, am looking forward to a relaxing weekend. I'll spend some time with my kids, grocery shop (the pantry is near empty so it will be a full cart shopping trip) and maybe I'll even.....gulp......clean the house! UGH!!
Okay, maybe not. :)

Have a great day,

Karen

Best Burgers in Memphis!

We took a poll today of our Classic Hits 94.1 KQK listeners favorite burgers.....here are all the suggestions....in no particular order...thanks to all who called 535-9494!

Huey's

Sole

Houston's

Bennigan's

Superior Bar (Beale burger)

Bayou Bar and Grill (blackened burger)

Topz (sp?) Burger

Mr. T's

Dale's Restaurant in Southaven

Ubee's

Skimo's

Cafe Ole

Big John's Shake Shack

Hollywood Cafe in Tunica

Willie Mae's in West Memphis

T.O.Fuller Golf Course (only open March - October)

Jack's BBQ on Summer

Alex's Tavern

Rust in Clarksdale

As heard this morning on Classic Hits 94.1 KQK http://www.941kqk.com/

Have a great day,

K

(The great mouth watering photo came from the Commercial Appeal from their article on best burgers.)

Things to do in 2009

Okay, I have decided to go ahead and make a list of things to TRY to do in the New Year, I refrain from calling them resolutions. I always tend to break those. So, here is my list of things to do in 2009....

1) Eat healthy...cut back to one (okay, maybe two) soda(s) a week.

2) Be patient....especially with my kids...they won't be young forever.

3) Get organized....not the whole house right away, maybe just a counter, a closet or the spare room to start.

4) Write thank you notes....and many of them.

5) Let as many people as I can know about Classic Hits 94.1 KQK!

6) Set a better example for my kids, using "please" and "thank you" more.

7) Blog more often....maybe even get crazy and finally join Facebook.

8) Remember to take pictures!

9) Have fun.

10) and finally try not be bothered that Steve Conley never buys our morning coffee.......ever..... :)

Happy New Year!!!