Mcnana Family Story

Sallys Cookies

2011-01-11T14:15:00.000-08:00

In the foodfest that is the Mcnana Blog, Sally has been promising this recipe for a while now!

Ingredients

200g/7oz dark chocolate at least 70%

75g/3oz butter (unsalted)

225g/8oz light muscovado/caster sugar

2 fairly large free-range eggs

- about half a teaspoon of vanilla extract

ˇ 50g/2oz skinned macademia nuts or other nuts if you prefer (I use 75g, but that's a matter of taste)

150g/5źoz self-raising flour

Preparation method

1. Preheat the oven to 180C/350F/Gas 4. Melt the chocolate in a small heatproof glass bowl over a small pan of simmering water, with the base of the bowl not quite touching the water. Occasionally push any unmelted chocolate down into the melted stuff. Turn off the heat as soon as the chocolate has melted. And don't touch the bowl with your bare fingers until it's cooled down a bit...... (trust me).

2. Blend the butter and sugar together in a food processor until smooth. Break the eggs and vanilla extract in a small bowl or jug, whisk just enough to break up the eggs, then add the mixture gradually to the butter and sugar, beating/stirring constantly. Gradually add the melted chocolate and continue to mix.

3. If you use hazelnuts or almonds, toast them in a shallow pan until golden, shaking regularly so they colour evenly. Whichever nuts you use, grind the nuts coarsely using a pestle and mortar or small food processor, then remove half and continue grinding the other half until it resembles fine breadcrumbs. (I like to keep the whole lot fairly coarse so you can feel the nuts in the cookies. YMMV though). Add the flour and both textures of nut to the cookie mixture. Stop mixing as soon as everything is combined.

4. Place large, heaped tablespoons of the mixture on to a baking tray lined with baking parchment, leaving ample space in between each 'blob'. You should get twelve out of this quantity. Don't!!!!!!!! be tempted to flatten the cookies, they will do so in the oven anyway.

5. Bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes. This depends on your oven. I take them out of mine after 10 minutes. The cookies will have spread and be very soft to the touch. They will seem almost uncooked, check that the top is dull and no longer shiny and firming. Remove them from the oven and set aside to cool a little. As soon as they are cool enough to move without breaking, slide a palette knife underneath and carefully lift them onto a cooling rack.

Best eaten the same day.

In the unlikely event that you have stale leftovers (seriously....) crumble them over ice cream :D

And Heres the Recipe!

2010-10-09T04:06:00.000-07:00

crystallions I have tried two different recipes and like both so I will share them both here.
crystallions The first recipe is...
crystallions 2 1/4 tsp dry yeast
crystallions 480g white flour
crystallions 320g rye flour
crystallions 1 tsp salt
crystallions 1 tbsp anise seed
crystallions 1 tbsp fennel seed
crystallions 75g butter
crystallions 2 cups (5 dl) milk
crystallions 150g light syrup (I haven't found a syrup here in the US which tastes like the Swedish kind. You can buy it at IKEA and I would highly
crystallions recommend it if you live close to an IKEA)
crystallions (it is used for baking)
crystallions You mix it all up and let it stand for about 30 min. Then you divide the dough into equal parts (how big depends on how big your frying pan
crystallions is) and use a rolling pin to make them the size of the pan and as thin as you can without them falling apart when you lift them from the
crystallions table.
crystallions You are supposed to fry them dry in the pan but I like to fry them in butter because it makes them taste extra fantastic! (not strange..)
crystallions You may be able to replace the light syrup for Caro Syrup - some friends of mine says they do that - but I have never tasted how it turns
crystallions out so I can't say if that is good or bad.
crystallions The second recipe does not use the syrup...
crystallions Here it is:
crystallions 5 dl (about 2 cups) of either plain yogurt, milk or cream (or a mix of any of the above that comes out to 5 dl)
crystallions 75g melted butter
crystallions 1 tsp salt
crystallions 2 tsp sugar
crystallions 1/2 tsp baking soda
crystallions 12 dl white flour (about 5 cups)
crystallions 1. Mix all the dry ingredients
crystallions 2. Add the liquids (butter included in this but make sure it has cooled off)
crystallions 3. Use rolling pin to make thin round bread in the size of your frying pan
crystallions 4. fry in dry frying pan a couple of minutes per side.
crystallions (once again I like to fry it in butter...)

Lydias Wonderful Bread

2010-10-09T04:02:00.000-07:00

I found out a couple of days ago that the house my mother grew up in, which has been in the family for 3 generations, is being sold.It has been taken care of by my uncle, who passed away a couple of months ago, the last few years. His wife cannot afford to keep the house and none of his siblings can afford to buy it, and neither can any of us from the younger generation.

We used to go there for 2 months every summer. It is in the north of Sweden in a beautiful location.

It has a main house

and a barn (which you can see here with the house from the opposite direction from the picture above)

some fields, a forest, and a "baking house" which you can see below

I find the "baking house" particularly interesting (even though I never thought so growing up) because it was build for the purpose of...

you guessed it... baking.

They would bake something called "tunnbröd" (thin bread) which looks like this...

That is the kind of oven they used in the "baking house". They had stopped using it when I was little, but they still had everything

there that used to be used.

The house is by a lake where we used to go fishing...

and also walking distance to a river

I felt sad today thinking about how some things in life don't turn out the way we always imagined... but then decided to focus on the good

things instead. So - I decided to bake tunnbröd for the family. The kids have never had it. In lack of a "real" tunnbrödoven I did it in a

fryingpan on the stove...

(wasn't able to take a picture so this is not my stove - but it shows how it is done)

and then I told the kids about the "baking house

We visited in 2006, but the kids were 10 months, 2 years and 4 years - and don't remember it.

I wish I could take them now before the house is being sold, but I don't see how to make it happen. At least I have lots of pictures and

memories to share.

Greetings

2010-08-24T04:59:00.000-07:00

Greetings and felicitations to you and yours.

I hope I've done Karl proud.

If not, I'm gonna chuck this machine out of the den window. j/k

I am sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo not technical.

Kindest regards.

Mcnana Fambly Tree

2010-08-23T07:17:00.001-07:00

mcnanatree_tartan large
Originally uploaded by karlski_images

So there it is! The ever expanding McNana family tree! And somewhere at the top it says “Forever in our hearts”. It’s been a year today since Su, or sumar as many know her, died, but her memory is alive and kicking. Some of the new fambly members may not have known Su, yet it’s easy to see how she would have welcomed them with open arms and a giggle here and there. The fambly certainly seems to have inherited her humour, her love of mischief, her sense of justice, RAWRRRRING strength and courage.

One year ago, we sat and remembered together, sharing songs and music, images, tears and tissues, and many people have expressed their thoughts and feelings in so many beautiful ways since then. One year on, Su remains a part of many lives, both inside and beyond the McNana fambly. Forever loved, forever in our hearts, missed but never forgotten.

'Sally'

Cinnamon Apple Bread

2010-07-30T01:55:00.000-07:00

Cinnamon Apple Bread with thanks to MJ Schrader

Preheat to 350.

1 ½ cups flour (opt: 1 c white ½ c wheat)

1 ½ tsp cinnamon

½ tsp baking soda

¼ tsp salt

¼ tsp baking powder

¼ tsp nutmeg

1 c sugar (I have backed down to ¾ c)

1 c chopped apple (can be shredded I like chopped)

¼ c unsweetened applesauce (or oil)

1 egg

OPTIONAL: ½ c chopped nuts

Combine flour, cinnamon, baking soda, salt, baking powder, and nutmeg. In a LARGE bowl, combine sugar, apple, applesauce, and egg. Mix well, pour in dry mix. Stir until combined. Add optional nuts. Add a splash of milk to thin the mix some. It's THICK and not pourable. Spoon into greased pan. Try to level the mix.

TOPPING

I normally make 2 loaves and this is the topping for 2 loaves.

Mix 1/3 c quick oats, ¼ c melted butter, 1 tsp cinnamon, 1/3 c brown sugar. Spoon over the top.

Bake in 350 degree oven for 50 to 60 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes in pan, then remove from pan to finish cooling Wrap overnight and slice in the morning to allow flavors to blend.

Another Recipe!!

2009-10-11T10:15:00.001-07:00

* 1 x basic bread recipe
* 10 slices of Parma ham
* 8 large organic eggs, boiled for 8 minutes and shelled
* 400g/14oz cheese (a mixture of Cheddar, Fontina, Parmesan or any leftovers that need to be used up), grated
* 2 handfuls of fresh basil
* optional: sun-dried tomatoes or plum tomatoes and olives, halved
* extra virgin olive oil
sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

This one is a Jamie Oliver Special and the link is here!

Basically make some basic bread dough, roll it out to half inch thick about a yard long.

Along the middle of the bread, lay out your Parma ham, eggs, cheese, basil and tomatoes and olives if you're using them. Drizzle with extra virgin olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Pull the dough over the filling so it forms what looks like a cannelloni shape. Then what you need to do is bring one end round to the other so that they join up. Pinch and pat the two ends together firmly to form a doughnut-shaped loaf. Transfer to a flour-dusted baking tin, allow to prove for 15 minutes, dust with flour and place in your preheated oven at 180ºC/350ºF/gas 4 for 35 minutes until golden. Allow to cool and then either transport to a picnic and carve it there – if you're lucky, it will still be a little warm in the middle – or eat there and then. Fantastic.

This one is totally awesome!!

Cheryls Christmas Cookies

2009-10-09T11:45:00.000-07:00

Christmas Cookies
General Notes

1. Line your cookie sheets with parchment paper.
2. Preheat oven to 400 (f)
3. Do NOT use any other nut than the Macadamia nut.
4. Use fresh Buttermilk-the leftovers can be used for making pancakes.
5. Any raisin is fine; I use the scrinchy dark ones.
6. This will make about 11 dozen smallish cookies. Do not try and make them any bigger.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1/2 cup Crisco
1 Stick Butter (Margarine won’t work)
2 cups Firmly packed Brown Sugar
2 large Eggs, lightly beaten (swish them around in a small bowl with a fork)
1/2 cup Buttermilk
2 teaspoons Vanilla Extract (Use real vanilla-not artificial)
3 1/2 cups Flour
1 teaspoon Baking Soda
1 teaspoon Salt
1 cup Sweetened Coconut, Flaked (The big flaky kind)
1 cup Macadamia Nuts, Coarsely Chopped (add a bit more if you’re feeling generous)
1 1/2 cup Raisins
3 cups Semisweet Chocolate Chips

In your biggest bowl, beat the Crisco, butter and brown sugar until smooth. Then dump in the eggs (you have slightly beaten them, haven’t you?), then stir in the vanilla and buttermilk.

In another bowl make nice with the flour, baking soda and salt-Let them get together intimately. No need to sift…just stir it around for a bit.

Stir the flour stuff into the butter/Crisco stuff. Do not use a mixer-you have to do this by hand. You want some incorporation here.

Dump in the raisins, chocolate chips, nuts and coconut. Stir, stir, stir by hand until everything looks okay.

When you are satisfied that everything in the bowl knows everything in the bowl, (and you’ve tasted the batter several dozen times) start dropping them by a level TEASPOON (trust me on this) onto your parchment-lined sheet (you may want to PAM the sheets ever so lightly). I use the 2-teaspoon method for this.

Bake 7 to 10 minutes until the cookies look sort of puffy and a tad brown (you don’t want them too brown).

Take them out and put on a wire rack to cool. After cooling, if you have any left, put them in AIRTIGHT tins. They keep well in airtight tins (2-3 weeks).

The cookies will be smallish and that’s okay because they are very rich. One dozen will satisfy even the Cookie Monster.

Myers-Briggs typology of a selective group of the McNana Plurk... - John D'Alton's MySpace Blog |

2009-09-18T01:05:00.001-07:00

Myers-Briggs typology of a selective group of the McNana Plurk... - John D'Alton's MySpace Blog |

Shared via AddThis

Mathmans Geometric Nibbly things

2009-09-17T15:48:00.000-07:00

Mr T’s Tortilla roll-ups

there are 3 variants. each one starts with a spread over a burrito size tortilla. Place in refrigerator for an hour, then slice into 1" circles and stack on plate. garnish with parsley and cherry tomatoes.

1) ham uses a spread made of equal parts cheez whiz and cream cheese with a tablespoon or two of chopped black olives. lay slices of ham over that and roll tightly.

2) Mexican use cream cheese and kraft old english spread with chopped green chiles instead of the olives, smoked turkey instead of the ham. garnish with cilantro instead of parsley.

3) cajun mix 2 tablespoons tabasco sauce and a quarter teaspoon of celery seed with cream cheese for spread and use cajun roast beef.

Mumz’z notes:

Mr. T gave me this recipe and I used it for Zeek’s Mum’s baby shower. I made all 3 varieties. It was just right! Very tasty, easy, and looks impressive. :-D

Skeez screamin' pickled chilis!

2009-09-17T15:11:00.000-07:00

Heres my favourite way to use an excess of the fabulous fiery fruits! And its a special vegan treat!

Chiles en Vinaigre
by Karlski

2 dozen green chiles
8 large carrots
2 red bell peppers
4 big onions

· Slice them all thin.
· Fry them off for about 2 mins each separately in a good 10 T oil and set aside, you are just softening the veg here not colouring.
· Put two pints clear vinegar in the pan with the remaining oil.
· add 2 tbsps sugar, 4 finely chopped garlic cloves, half teaspoon each marjoram, oregano and thyme.
· Bring to boil and reduce by a third
· Put boiling vinegar onto vegs and allow to cool.
· Jar up into sterile jars, seal up and store in fridge.
· Ready in two weeks or so.
· Eat with cold meats and cheese. Put in any sarnie.

Mumz’z comments:

The onions I used were probably too big – nearly softball size – and it seemed that they overwhelmed the other ingredients. Next time I will cut back a bit on the onions.

I used pint sized canning jars with the rings and seals and was quite surprised that they did seal tight when they cooled. This recipe made exactly 6 pints for me. If they seal, you can store them on a shelf until after you open the jar, then refrigerate. Be sure to shake or stir after opening because the oil tends to separate. It’s best to wait at least two weeks before opening as the flavor wasn’t quite full when I tried after about 9 days (I know, I know…I need to learn patience. Sheesh!)

These veggies can be used in many ways, besides on sarnies (sammiches to us ‘mericans), limited only by your imagination. So far I’ve tried them over scrambled eggs on a biscuit, and on a chili dog (using Philomath’s chili recipe). Mmmm!!!

Thanks for the recipe, Skeez!

Just a few Chilis more!!

2009-09-17T15:05:00.000-07:00

I guess the obsession over Chili is understandable,given the time of year with Autumn knocking on the door and all. But there is no need to think we are just able to post chili foodies here!! Any Mcnana faves are welcome for testing and inclusion here!! But there are still a few more to come along the chili tangent!!

Deez Double Dutch Chili

2009-09-17T14:59:00.000-07:00

It's a Deez chilly, my late mum styled. Years ago I saw my mum make that and I actually paid attention for once. Never forgot how to do that and it still tastes great.

Serves 4

1 pound of ground meat like you'd use for meatloaf, 1/2 pork, 1/2 beef [Mumz bought ½ lb of mild pork sausage and ½ lb of ground beef and mixed them herself]
15 oz. can of tomato puree
1 medium sized onion
1 paprika [bell pepper] (any colour should do)
1 litre can of brown beans (nearly 1,000 grams, incl liquid)
You can use kidney beans if you prefer, they end up a little crunchier
[Mumz couldn’t get brown beans so used a 15.5 oz can of red beans, which are NOT kidney beans]
black pepper, cayenne pepper and tabasco.

· My 'secret' is to use a cast iron deep pan, which you first use to grind the meat down with a fork, until it's nice and fine and turns brown.
· Then you add the tomato puree and mix.
· In the mean time, you've finely cut the onion and you can add it straight after the puree.
· Now I season that mix when the onions are also turning brown, with some black pepper (quite a bit) and some cayenne pepper. If you like your chilly a bit hot you can add about ten drops of tabasco to that mix, I usually add about 5 drops. I usually have a mild pepper (paprika) powder and add quite a lot into that mix. If you like hot, you can use the sharp variant.
· That's the base. Mix it well, and add tomatoes / paprika finely chopped if you like that in the mix. [Mumz used one red bell pepper]
· Lastly add the beans, which you first drain from the can, but don't drain all the liquid, use some of it in the pan so it doesn't go too dry. If you use the fresh paprika and tomatoes, you don't want the residue liquid from the bean can.
· I have the heat on low during the whole process and turn the heat up when the beans are added
· Add a 454 gram bottle of chili sauce [Mumz used a 12 oz bottle of Heinz chili sauce]
· Turn the heat on its lowest position if everything's heated through and through. Let that simmer for at least 1 hour, preferably 2, before serving.
· Serve with crisps, or tortillas, and have some sliced cucumber with that.
This chilly actually improves in taste if you eat it the next day. Just put it in the fridge after it has cooled off completely; slowly heat it the next day and voila! A very tasty meal....Most important is to season the half-and-half meatloaf correctly, and in that order and don't burn that base (that happens quite easily)

Mumz’z notes

This recipe was delightfully different from others our family has tried and we liked it really well! It has a slightly sweet and tangy flavor and we did not add cheese or sour cream, like we usually add to our chili. It’s perfect just the way it is and those things would probably ruin it, actually! I’m very happy to add this “Dutch chilly” to our family favorites.

Philo's multi morphing Chili

2009-09-17T14:53:00.000-07:00

SERVES 4 - 6

Ingredients

    * 1/4 cup cooking oil
    * 1 lb beef round steak, coarse chili grind
    * 1 lb beef chuck, coarse chili grind

    * 8 ounces can peeled, crushed tomatoes
    * 3 bottles of beer (Mexican if you can) One for the chili. One for you to drink while cooking the chili. One in case you need to add a little more.

    * 2 Guajillo chiles from Penzeys, stemmed and seeded. :D
    * 3 medium garlic cloves, minced
    * 1 medium onion, finely chopped
    * 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
    * 1 teaspoon paprika
    * 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
    * 1 1/4 teaspoons salt *or we will see*
    * 2 cinnamon sticks

    * cayenne pepper to taste (if when it is done you want it hotter, you probably won't need it)
    * some tomato paste to taste (a few teaspoons at most)
    * Louisiana style hot sauce to taste.Trappey's is best, then Crystal or Franks.

    * 3/4 lb monterey jack cheese, grated

Directions

   1. Heat the oil in a heavy 3-quart (or larger) pot over medium-high heat.

   2. Crumble meat into the pot.   Break up any lumps with a fork and cook, stirring occasionally, until meat is evenly browned. Brown it well. Brown food tastes good. Remember that :D

   3. Open beer. Drink a sip. Pour the rest in. Do not skip this important step. Add tomatoes, chiles, garlic, onion, oregano, paprika, 1 teaspoons of the cumin, salt, and cinnamon sticks. Stir to blend and bring to a boil.

   4. Lower heat and simmer uncovered, stirring occasionally, for 1 hour. Drink second beer.

   5. Taste and adjust seasonings. Starting to get too spicy, remove chiles. It shouldn't ever taste like cinnamon, once it starts remove the cinnamon sticks.

   6. Simmer covered 1 hour longer. Taste occasionally for too spicy and too cinnamony.

   7. You can add the cheese at this point. I like to add it myself when I eat it.   Add the remaining 1/2 teaspoons cumin. Here's where I will probably shake some of the hot sauce to add a little vinegary flavor. Here's where if you like it to taste more tomato-y you can add a teaspoon of tomato paste stir and taste again. Adjust cumin, salt, and add cayenne if you want it hotter still.

   8. Simmer uncovered for 1/2 hour longer, stirring often to keep cheese from burning (if you chose to add it). At this point... if the flavor isn't rich enough you could keep it cooking longer, just add some beer if it is starting to dry out.

It reheats great and taste even better the next day. Serve with cornbread, the cheese, some fresh chopped jalapeno peppers :D

A few new thingys

2009-09-13T14:26:00.001-07:00

Since the last published iteration of the official fambly tree a few thingys have occurred without fanfare or comment and these are worthy of official mention...
A) We adopted Michelle and her Beau Coll into the fambly some months ago
B) Mcnana V was also adopted and promptly celebrated by running off around the world
C) karlski was appointed new hubby for Mumz.

There are a few alterations still to come but wanted to get Da's latest version up so we could all see before messing around with it.

The Mathman super scientific Chili

2009-09-13T14:17:00.000-07:00

my recipe is the result of 20 years of experimentation and has been stable for about 12 years now. the recipe, like most of my recipes, is a little fiddly and complicated but it make a good chili. what happens is that i make 2 separate types of chili and then blend them together with a couple of ingredients for the final hour of cooking.

i generally make rather a lot of it because my chili has a lot of fans and it freezes fairly well for lunches to take to school.

i start with a crockpot into which i put 2 large onions coarsely chopped and 4 carrots peeeled and cut into half inch rings. to those veggies i add one can of crushed tomatoes and a packet of williams chili seasoning. while that starts heating i take a 2-3 pound eye of round roast. i trim the fat and cut it into half inch to three quarter inch cubes. i lightly salt and pepper the cubes and then i sear the cubes and put them into the crock pot. i usually split the meat into 5 or 6 parts for the searing so that it sears rather than steams in the frying pan. i do this dry and little bits will stick to the pan which is okay. after the meat has been seared i take a quart box of beek stock and deglaze the pan with that and pour it into the crockpot. i finely dice 1 fresh jalapeno and i take 3 dried ancho chili pods which have been rinsed and de-stemmed and bury them in the stock of the pot. i then allow that to simmer covered for about 4 hours. at that point i remove the pods and run them through a blender or food processer along with some of the stock. i then force this paste through a strainer back into the crock pot.

at this point it is time to prepare the other chili. in a large stock pot i put in one large can of diced tomatoes, 1 large can of rotel diced tomatoes, and six small cans of chopped green chilis and start heating on medium. while that heats i brown 2 pounds of ground sirloin mixed with one pound of ground chuck. i drain that over paper towels to eliminate most of the grease and then add that to the pot. deglaze the pan with one 12-oz domestic beer, i generally use budweiser, and pour into the pot. i then add 2 tbsp of paprika, 2 crushed cloves of garlic, and 2 tsp of cumin powder. allow that to simmer on low for about 2 hours.

at that point pour the contents of the crockpot into the stockpot and add 3 scant tbsp of cocoa powder, 1 tsp of sugar, and 2 tbsp of cornmeal. mix thouroughly and allow to simmer for 1-2 hours. i usually garnish with chopped jalapenos, chopped green onions, and grated cheddar cheese.

New Recipe Files

2009-09-13T14:15:00.000-07:00

Us Mcnanas kinda like a good feast, a lot! And theres nothing more secret than a family recipe, so whats the best thing to do with secrets?? Errrm.... make 'em not secret?? So we are sharing these ancient secret Mcnana concoctions with each other and recording them for later analysis and tasting and testing..
Just Enjoy these little gems!!!

Welcome To Z McNana!!

2009-03-04T08:49:00.000-08:00

It had to happen of course! We gets a new McNana in RealLife!! We celebrated the arrival of Z Mcnana in a proper Plurkiton fashion with plenty of woots, dancing bananas and headspins. Thomas has updated the family tree once more to include the newest member.

No Doubt we will get all the details documented in the near future. This post is made merely to mark the spot, where will the story of Z will begin!

The McNana Family Treasure

2009-02-23T14:43:00.000-08:00

Part One

The rain lashed down as Karlski stalked the McNana gardens with a heart blacker than the leaden sky over his head. Furiously berating himself, the black sheep of the McNana clan enjoyed the twisted torment in his soul. “It's days like this that make you feel glad to be alive!” he hissed between teeth gritted against the rampaging typhoon. “Foul weather for foul deeds, indeed”, he rambled on. Although no one was able to hear his internal turmoil, the thief knew his perambulations were closely observed from within the warm castle walls.

A flash of lightning illuminated the dark sky. Beckitty the cat quickly darted out of her hiding place and into the torturous rain to make a dash for the house. She knew that her fear of water was only secondary to her fear of Karlski's inner turmoil and rage. Frightened for the family, she hoped to come across one of the McNana's who spoke kitty-ese so that she could relate the darkness she had seen in Karlski and hopefully find someone who could help cure the dark pit of his soul.

Watching from within the castle, Sally quickly ran upstairs and got blankets ready for whoever made it inside. Worried now about Karlski, Sally prepared hot drinks and snacks in the kitchen, stroking the kitty to comfort her.

Karlski proceeded towards the Mcnana boatsheds and the jetty, slippery with slime from long decades of neglect and decay.

Sally started lighting lights around the castle so as to do away with the darkness, and shouted for Karlski to come inside. Ignoring the torrents coursing down through his, thin velvet jacket, the figure now stooped and hunched against the cold icy water, stepped in trepidation out onto the rotten timbers of the jetty, knowing that whatever was drawing him toward the black island in the midst of the dark waters of Lake McNana would not be good.

Sally, wondering whether the intrepid Karlski may, in fact, be on the trail of treasure, huggles the Beckitty closer. The cat snuggles into Sally's side and watches Karlski fearfully. Sally wraps a blankie around herself and the Beckitty and watches as the night seems to darken even further. The condition of the Mcnana dinghy was indeed poor, yet somehow it still remains afloat even with a foot of rainwater inside. Lowering his once fine pair of Italian shoes into the fetid water in the dinghy, Karlski takes up the oars and prepares to cross the lake.

Sally, shivering with concern and huggling the Beckitty, is glad to see Neez Da enter the castle.

Karlski feels drawn to the black island as yet untamed in the annals of McNana legend, and strikes out across the dark hissing surface of the lake, so friendly and welcoming in the daylight, yet so sinister tonight. The dark island drew ever closer as the warm welcoming yellow lights from the castle disappeared in the dark sheeting rain. Truly lonely and shaking with fear and cold, Karlski curses his folly in not obtaining the services of a trusted companion on his foolhardy quest, in search of the lost heart of McNana. The most fabled and wondrous of the missing McNana diadems.

Sally, now shaking with concern and trying to keep warm, wonders where the other family members are, to try and keep Karlski safe on his courageous quest.

Meanwhile, lurking just below the surface of Lock McNana was the fearsome Slugasaurous, trailing Karlski in the dingy. As Karlski approaches the ink dark shore the small breakers playfully tossing the McNana dinghy in a sickening lurching fashion, a loud cracking noise issues from below the waterline as the spine of the dinghy snaps on an obstacle as yet unseen. The unmistakable sound of water entering the boat from below tells the master thief that the end is nigh for the little craft. The Slugasaur draws closer, closer, ever closer, as Karlski thrashes about in the sinking dingy.

Sally shouts “nooooooooo!!!!!!!” She throws salt at the Slugasaur.

Although the Slugasaur is oblivious to sally's actions, she would need a catapult and tremendous luck to hit the great beast from that distance. It was the slugasaur's sworn duty to protect theMcNana Heart at all costs because of the curse.

Sally shouts at karlski to hide or be quick!!!! and hides under a blankie with the Beckitty.

Karlski pulls harder at the oars, ignoring the pain as his delicate hands bleed. The stricken craft becomes hugely difficult to manage as the water pours in.

Beckitty burrows further into covers and hides, as Sally falls asleep by the fire, huggling the kitty in the hope that the hero Karlski will fare well and return with treasure unscathed.

Dylvid, watching on the security system, morphs into a bag of popcorn, and says, “This is awesome stuff.” He then morphs back, so as not to interrupt the story.

Sally is hoping the morpher will watch over the castle and Karslki.

Beckitty does not know what to do. With Sally sleeping, Mum at work, the slugosaur destroying Karlski's ship and poor Karlski near drowning, what is a kitty to do? She hopes that the fox will come along with his good counsel and guide everyone through the treacherous storm.

Sensing that the mighty Slugasaur has drawn way too close for comfort, Karlski abandons the rapidly sinking boat, diving into the pitchy icy water and gasping with cold, he is forced to swim for the shore, bringing an involuntary cry, “eeeeeep”, from Dylvid, still watching on the security camera. This is particularly difficult as thieves are not known for swimming abilities, and velvet evening attire is not really designed to be worn as a wetsuit.

Sally thinks the shape-shifter will come to the rescue and take karlski back to shore. Beckitty agrees that the shape-shifter should morph into a raft, sail to karlski and aid him on his mission!

The beast glides past the splintered remains of the boat picking up speed closes in on the velveteen intruder. Sally sleepily throws out a lifeline to Karlski, hoping it will reach. Dylvid would love to accommodate Sally, but believes this'd be too convenient. Swim, Thief, Swim!

Hurling his frail shattered body to Olympian efforts, the master criminal thrashes the dark water into foam in his efforts to escape, feeling in his hallucinating mind the massive jaws of the beast closing around his aching limbs.

Sally shouts for the shape-shifter to help! “Help!”

Coming within range, the massive amorphous invertebrate lifts its head out of the briny deep with a deafening ROOOOAAAAAARRRRR!!!!! and swallows the thief whole.

Sally gasps, huggles the Beckitty and faints.

Dylvid says, “Not on my watch!”

“Where am I?” asks the Karlski, “inside the veritable belly of the beast? Pooo! It’s smelly!”

Dylvid morphs into a ball of shiny steel, covered with spikes as sharp as the teeth of the beast, and places its handle into the thief’s hand. Karlski *thwaps the tonsils of the serpent* Dylvid encourages the thief to antagonize the beast into opening its mouth. Karlski *thwaps harder* Dylvid believed they were only in the beasts mouth and points out the gruesome and vile tongue. Karlski says, “It’s stinky wherever we are! Dylvid believes one sharp toss at the roof of the beast's mouth should do it. Ignoring these futile attempts at freedom, the Slugasaur descends to the bottom of Loch McNana. Karlski*beats nine bales out of the slugasaurs molars* and thinks that if only Dylvid could morph into a bottle of chili sauce – extra, extra hot… Dylvid was thinking the same thing, but alas he cannot. He whispers, “No idea why, actually.”

Sally wakes up to see the troops gathering to help karlski, throws a line around the monster’s tail to slow it down. Dylvid morphs into a torch of blue flame. Karlski exclaims, “Aah! At least we can see what is down here now!” Dylvid replies, “Not now thief - burn a hole in something!”

Down, down the Slugasaur dives - 500 meters to the mouth of his secret cave.

Karlski says, “Aaah - an oxygen bottle wedged into a rear molar!”

Sally ties the rope securely to the castle as she sees the monster struggle to dive deeper.

Karlski says, “That’s handy! Ooh – a roll of kitchen foil and some dried spaghetti!” He *constructs a thermic lance*

Sally watches anxiously as the blue light grows bigger under the surface of the lake.

The Slugasaur mutters that any attempt to escape now would only lead to certain doom to the thief, being so deep and all. Dylvid whispers, “Not on my watch.” Karlski roars, “OK, Slugasaur, it’s melting time!!!”

Finally, the beast surfaces in its secret cavern beneath the black isle. Karlski uses the torch to ignite the pasta thermic lance!! (At this point, Dylvid remembers that he loved MacGyver.)

Sally uses the leverage on the castle drawbridge to pull the monster back up.

Karlski mutters, “Hmmm, its getting hot in here!”

The Slugasaur, with a great snarf, ejects the struggling would be pilferer in a great big pile of goo. Karlski passes out from lack of oxygen... embedded in the mighty cleavage!

Sally has definitely gone to sleep!

Dylvid morphs into a copper diving suit, ignoring the distractions.

Sally grabs the Beckitty and a blankie, snuggles up in bed and leaves the stuff to the big guys.

The Slugasaur says, “I was trying to rescue you and here you are bashin' and burning my insides. How’s that for gratitude? If not for me you'd have been bashed to bits on the rocks. And you Dylvid, how did you get in there?”

Sally thinks the shape-shifter is more than capable of getting outta there.

Dylvid morphs into an annoying voice impersonator, and intones, “WHAT WILL BECOME OF THE THIEF? WHAT WILL BECOME OF THE GRUESOME BUT THOUGHTFUL MONSTER? STAY TUNED FOR TOMORROW NIGHT’S EPISODE!”

Sally dreams of shape-shifters making it to shore, monsters being nice guys really, and Karlski getting back to the castle for a hot drink.

Deez says, “Ooooooooooo!” (With howling echo that dies slowly into the night...)

Dylvid morphs into a heartwarming commercial by the Coca Cola Products Company.

Sally mutes the voice over, coz he's keeping the Beckitty awake.

Dylvid sings, “I'd like to teach the world to sing... in perfect harmony...” Sally joins in, “in perfect harmony!” Deez chimes in, “lalalalalala lala.” And Sally continues with, “da daaaa di daaaaaa.” Dylvid starts snoring. Sally says, “Sorry about the noise, singing in me sleep is not my forte.” She then goes off to look at the stars and dream musical dreams.

Dylvid must eat after a long night of being things he is not. *huggles all around* Deez is also hungry.

Mum McNana, in the master suite, awakens from a deep sleep, in a terrible fright with images of beasts, cold deep waters, a tragic dark hero, shattered boats, flames, strange metal things, ropes, frightened cats and maidens, piles of poo...or goo, spilled popcorn, and other miscellaneous images flashing through her head. She shudders, cries out, but then is comforted, told it's all just a bad dream, pulled back to the warm depths of the featherbed and comforted. She returns to blissful sleep, with hopes of finding a castle filled with happy McNanas in the morning.

Iyzie, the hedgehog, snoozes, unruffled by storm or beast, on the pillow next to Sis-Niece's head, quills flattened to their most peaceful and least pointy. Mum awakens briefly to welcome the gentle uncle-turned-brother-turned hedgehog (another morphing McNana), and hopes Neez's gentle snores do not awaken the family pets that gather for warmth and comfort. She snuggles in further to make more room, and dreams about the fabulous candlelit anniversary dinner she had enjoyed earlier in the evening.

Iyzie dreams of pancakes and berries, while Dylvid dreams of being a candelabra.

Part Two

Karlski hopes that its now time for part two of an epic adventure....

Sally shivers, but Mum McNana says she hopes so, too, and pulls Sally close to comfort her and keep her safe and warm.

Dylvid hears the end of a jingle... "It's the real thing......"

Karlski recapitulates for anyone who has not been paying attention (including particularly Andreas): “We left the mismatched, ill-assorted group in an undersea cave, after being regurgitated by a large sea creature, who seemed to have mercurial humours and taxi driver tendencies! The shape-shifter and thief were covered in digestive goo and spent some time unconscious through the malodorous miasma. So, back to the cave… “

“As our eyes became accustomed to the darkness inside the lair of the Slugasaur, we became aware that the darkness was not as absolute as we had believed. The slime ejected from the beast’s belly was faintly glowing in an eerie green light, as the bacteria from the great digestive tract did its work. But, more than this, a wan blueness issued from an area far back in the rear of the cavernous space.”

Mum McNana sets her daughter back on comfy cushions and covers her with blankies, as she sees her growing sleepy and also nervous.

Karlski lifted a handful of the vile ooze in order to search for his shapeshifting companion. Unable to recall which form the Dylvid had lastly assumed, Karlski started to interview the various objects around the cave. Dylvid responded that he was a copper diving helmet.

Meanwhile, on the surface of Lake McNana swims a little duckling, reeling to and fro with the waves, totally unaware of saurians, caves and castles.

Sally cuddles into the cushions and blankies Mum provided and hopes the rest of the family will provide a light for Karlski on his adventures.

With the shape-shifter remaining unconscious, Karlski hoped that the diving helmet might be the correct object. Printing on the side faintly indicated that Philomath Industrial Corporation would be the right object...

Mum tosses out some crumbs to lure the innocent duckling toward the castle, where he'll be safe.

With no sign of the Slugasaur, it was time to escape the cavern, placing the Philo lid on his bonce, the thief moved as swiftly as he could toward the blue illuminated area, which was not that fast whilst wearing a 30 pound copper morpher on ones head.

Sally lights the fire in the living room to provide more light and curls up under a blankie with the Beckitty.

The little duckling is appreciating the effort of luring him in, but crumbs won't do the trick. He quacks out a loud croaking sound.

Hearing a loud croak, Karlski opens the window on the front of the helmet to get a better listen.

Sally offers the little duckling a place by the fire as she sees sleep coming ever closer. Mum thinks that invitation ought to just about do it. Sally hopes Mum and the shape-shifter will look after the rest of the family.

Slowly the duckling moves up to the castle's drawbridge. Spreading his wings, he flies up and lands on the planks. Toddling to the door now… Mum sees a swan regally cross the drawbridge. The little duckling thinks a prosperous future lies ahead (even though he doesn't think he's ugly - at all).

Walking toward the ethereal blue light, Karlski hears a dreaded sound, even more scary than the strange Slugasaur, the most feared, the most terrifying, the worst sound ever heard by a McNana – “Shake it, Shake it Shake it like a Polaroid picture! Hey Ya! Heyyy Ya! Hey Ya! Heyyy Ya!” Elevator Muzak! Karlski staggers toward the call button and presses it with a gnarled digit, as he wonders if the Slugasaur can fit in the lift.

Mum McNana thinks the little duckling doesn't realize that he has grown into a swan. The duckling quacks, “Oops! Wondrous drawbridge that castle has!” And so a swan enters the castle, unharmed as it seems... Mum rushes over to open the door and welcome the swan in to dry his feathers by the fire.

Dylvid morphs into a walking cane. Mum is stumped about the need for walking cane... Dylvid notes that it's lighter then a copper diving helmet.

Karlski waits for the lift to arrive and does a little Fred Astaire routine, “I'm singing in the goop, just singing in the goop. What a gungyious feeling I'm happy again!”

Mum contemplates other uses for walking canes, but decides it's unbecoming of mums to thwap people whilst in the castle.

The elevator car arrives and Karl and Dylvid step inside.

Sally wants to share a song, but can't find it, gives up and snuggles back under the blankie with the Beckitty.

The duckling-turned-swan has watched some "House" tonight, so he has plenty of thoughts about what one can do with a cane, but as a swan? No. He notices that Sally's looking great there at the fire. Mum ushers the charming Swan Prince in and shows him a nice cushion beside Sally and her Beckitty, assuring the swan that this cat is harmless to him. The Prince finds plenty of room under that blanket. Even though a swan is slightly bigger than the little duckling he was until a few minutes ago.

Karlski, aboard the elevator, wonders which button to press. He cries out, “Hey Ya, Heyyy Ya! Hey Yaa!” Mum rethinks her position on thwapping... Karlski continues, “Heeeeey Ya!” Sally desperately looks for another song, gives up and sighs. Mum asks the cane if he's gonna do it himself, or... She covers Sally's ears and glares at the singing Karlski, who drones on, “Hey Ya!”

The Swan Prince snuggles up to Sally and the Beckitty cat by the fireplace.

Karlski snorts, “I'll be able to stop singing if someone tells me which bleeding button to press! Heeey Ya!”

Sally wants to share a song called “family coach” by Lilac Time and will eventually!

Mum asks Karlski where he'd like to go, so she can tell him which button to press.

Sally decides to keep silent, fearing that she might be disturbing the adventure and possibly the Beckitty. Mum chastises her daughter for telling herself to shut up and asks if she needs help finding that song? ...not that Mum has any idea how to help... However, Karlski, addled as he is by his elevator dilemma, comes up with the song link and communicates it to Sally telepathically. Sally is overjoyed, and Dylvid is amused, knowing that the link is not what Sally is expecting.

Karlski decides, “Perhaps I'll just push the button at the top then!! Going up!”

Mum chases Karlski with a cane and wonders if anyone else actually checked that song link!!! He’d better ascend pronto for his own protection!

Karlski calls out, “First floor ladies fashions!” and adds “Mum got rickrolled!”

Karlski calls, “Second floor!”

Meanwhile, the Swan Prince has fallen asleep by the fire. Sally hopes the swan and the Beckitty are snug by the fire.

Karlski calls, “Third floor - hardware department!”

Dylvid thinks the story is a little less focused tonight. Sally hopes Mum and granddad will take care of the Karlski in the bestest possible way.

Karlski calls, “Fourth floor, merkins and weirdness!”

Sally huggles anyone who needs huggles.

Kaflski calls, “Fifth floor, fancy dress costumes and Licorice comfits!”

Sally is working on sharing a ride for the family.

Karlski thinks this is getting very strange.

Mum agrees and wonders if Sally, Dylvid and the Swan Prince realize what naughty Karlski has done?

Karlski mutters, “Ahh!... well... sort of wuz an accident…ish”

Sally says, “I kinda saw that one…”

Deez bursts in, wondering, “What’s on the top floor?”

Mum comforts Sally and distracts her with a question about what "sharing a ride for the family" means? The Swan Prince is asleep by the fire, dreaming of princesses and whatnot. So, no recognition of any foul play by the Karlski is possible. Mum covers Sally's ears and suggests that the swan click the song link if he wants an answer. Sally can still hear, and says, “Phew!” The Swan Prince thinks he has lost the ability and all possibility to sleep ever again after having made the fatal click on the link. Mum apologizes to the swan, and then asks Sally if she has to become a member of something to enjoy that link? Sally cuddles those near to her and falls asleep by the fire, knowing that Mum and Granddad will keep the family safe. The Swan Prince curses the Karlski under his breath for rickrolling him but is falling asleep anyw............ Sally tells Mum, “No, it's a download link.” And then goes to sleeeeeeeep! Dylvid huggles Sally and says, “Night, night.” Mum takes Sally to her bed and tucks her in so she doesn't fall down and hurt herself.

Karlski chortles, “Hehehe - I love a good rickrolling!”

Karlski calls, “Here we are then! Top floor!! Doors opening - stand clear please!”

Deez says, “The suspense is killing...”

Karlski says, “Anyway back to the narrative…” Deez responds, “Please do!”

The duo steps out into a brightly-lit white space, blinding in its intensity, with its intense lighting emanating from within the very walls themselves. The room contained nothing but an old wooden box with a huge iron lock banded with iron straps with huge malevolent iron hinges.

Deez is concerned that his brother Karlski may be wearing down, and says, “I wonder if bro Skeez is giving up? Hope not...”

Karlski reaches into the inside pocket of his now ruined jacket and removes a small leather roll.

Mum sneaks up to the top floor to watch Karlski in action.

Karlski unrolls the toolkit that is his sole heritage and legacy and thinks fondly of his grandma as he selects a number 7 lock-pick. It was always her favourite pick, too. He inserts the pick into the massive lock and sets to work on the wards. The lock falls open and Karlski carefully sets the precious lock-pick back into the case. Carefully, slowly, delicately the box lid is raised to reveal the sacred jewel, the very diadem missing for centuries from the heart of the McNana family. Mum tiptoes closer to have a look, hiding behind a pillar.

Karlski beholds:

And exclaims, “Treasure indeed!”

Beckitty suddenly appears and asks, “Our sacred jewel is pepper cookies?”

Karlski answers, “Yup! – heart-shaped!”

Mum says, “Of course! McNana treasure is food. Of course.”

Karlski chuckles, “Longest setup evaah!! And now I better exit fast! Before I get caught!”

Beckitty thinks that she should have GUESSED that the treasure would be food. How silly of her!

Dylvid sees the treasure and says, “Holy….. Yum!”

The Slugasaur grumbles that the script needs a little work. “Not nearly enough Slugasaur. What about the curse of the McNana Heart? How did Mum get from the castle to the top floor of the island?”

But answer came there none.

Mum McNana's Birthday

2009-02-18T10:38:00.001-08:00

Today is Mum McNana's Birthday!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MUM

Lots and lots of and , Mum!!!!

PRESS RELEASE

2009-02-13T14:37:00.000-08:00

For Immediate Distribution.

Mcnana Family central press office today announces the selection of the Mcnana security squad, headed by the legendary Sensei of the Immortal Ketchup Ninja Army, this new appointment guarantees a 24-7 presedential level of security for Mcnanas whilst at home and away. It is gratifying to know that in times of strife, security is the highest priority for the loyal Mcnana bodyguards. The continual training and refinement of ninja skills by Sensei Allie will ensure that the Ketchup Army remain effective against the changing threats in a changing world.

The Magic McNana Box

2009-02-11T06:00:00.000-08:00

Beckitty awakens to a day of rain. Fearful of getting her paws wet, she puts on some strong rubber kitty boots and heads off in search of whichever McNana family members have already awoken. Knowing the family's love of coffee, she of course checks the kitchen first. Sally has once again prepared a coffee feast for the family. Some of the McNanas have already come and gone off to another day of work and play, or play and work, it really depended on the specific McNana.
Beckitty decided to meow in hopes that Sally would give her a saucer of coffee for the morning and perhaps a nibble of salmon. Sally notices the Beckitty roaming around and sets out a saucer of fresh coffee and a plate of smoked salmon.
Mum McNana watches the Beckitty from afar via the castle video monitor thingy and smiles. Beckitty has forgotten that the castle has many video cameras to keep Karlski from pilfering silverware and now worries that Mum McNana has realized that she is the culprit behind everyone's socks occasionally disappearing while she makes herself a kitty bed of socks.
Andreas’ socks are all black and almost the same style, so it really doesn't matter which he put on or if some are buried in Kitty's bed. Beckitty snuggles into her sock bed and contentedly watches the day go by.
Sally goes on a hunt of old and odd socks around the castle. Beckitty's ears perk up and she prances off to follow Sally around.
Grandpa looks for the box of catnip, to make the socks more interesting. Sally wanders around the castle and on her way finds a beautifully coloured box with a big ribbon on it. She decides to take the box to the living room and hopes Mum or Granddad will know what's in it.
Grandpa opens the box, pulls out a small bag of catnip, and pours a small amount into a sock - then ties a knot in it and places it in front of Beckitty. Her eyes light up as she sniffs at the colored box. She paws at the box and looks at the McNana's hopefully since her paws cannot open the box.
Sally is worried that she may not be allowed to open the beautiful box, strokes the Beckitty and looks at granddad. Beckitty purrs.
Mum thinks Grandda got the catnip out of the box, but suspects it contains additional treasures...
Grandpa says, “Oh dear! I need to learn to be more careful about opening things.”
Mum eagerly awaits the next opening of box ... Beckitty thinks it is a magic box containing presents for all of the McNanas! Each time we close the lid, another surprise will appear. Mum hopes no one steps in front of video camera and blocks her view. Grandpa says, “Oooh! Those leprechauns have been in here again!”
Sally hopes someone will come along and open the box, coz she likes prezzies!!!!
Mum slips in unnoticed, package in hand. She has new soft, colorful socks for the Beckitty, but doesn't give them to her straightaway, so as not to spoil her fun. Mum tiptoes around the castle and hides socks in out-of-the-way places that only the cat will find: little gifts for her as she prowls by night.
Mum then enters the living room and warmly greets her dear Da with a huggle and kiss. Sally hears Mum arrive home and runs over to give her lots of huggles. Mum strokes the cat, smiling to herself, takes her daughter in her arms and snuggles her up, then steps over to the magic box, and carries it to her Sally, who jumps up and down with excitement. Mum opens it, revealing fresh, plump, sweet, juicy blueberries, just for her girl.
Beckitty meows, and hopes that Mum will find something of her own in the magic box. Sally huggles Mum and thanks her for the yummy berries. She hopes Beckitty can now go diggin’ in the box for more goodies for everyone else!
Beckitty crawls into the box and scrambles around. She snatches something between her teeth and drags it out. She presents a big soft blanket to Mum, meowing happily at the snuggly discovery, she hops on Mum's lap and nestles into the blankie.
Sally applauds excitedly, because she thinks Mum will like that! Mum does like that! Strokes the Beckitty and listens to her purrrrr.
Aric, the magical stallion, shakes his mane and swats the window with his tail. With a swagger and a nod he says hello. Sally strokes the Aric's mane, is glad to see him. Mum rushes outside for a quick canter on the stallion.
Beckitty climbs in the box to retrieve a gift for the stallion. Accidentally clunks her head on something and mews until somebody retrieves her from the box. In kitty-ese she tries to explain that her head collided with brand new shiny musical horse shoes. Mum understands the language of her pets and kisses the owwy. She pulls the shoes out of the box and sets them on the courtyard stones. Aric only needs to step onto them and prance around to make music.
The Fox, too, had been watching (from one of the video monitors) all the bustle in the castle. Striding over to where the cat was sleeping he laid down a freshly caught salmon. The Fox, too, wondered at what other surprises lay within the pretty box...
Mum watched the Stallion prance around the courtyard and accompanied by the musical rhythm of his hooves, returned to the living room to find the Fox eying the box. She tucks herself into a corner with her blanky gift and watches.
While wondering about the box, the Fox decides to check out potential huggle victims and dashes off in pursuit... all of two feet and then leaps into Mum’s arms for some snugs.
Mum wraps the Fox in her arms, scritchies and huggles him, and then sends him off to visit his sister, the Beckitty. The Fox then sets off in search of the Sally and the other McNanas to see what else is happening... Sally notices the fox is in the castle, huggles him and follows him to see what marvelous adventures he might find. Mum decides to rise from her corner and follow as well.
After the Sally at last turned up and having gotten his huggle the set out with his party to conquer the world! A leap! A charge! Suddenly they were at the castle gates. The cattle of humanity waiting for enslavement... Then, of a sudden, seemingly from the bowels of the earth itself came a great tremor that shook even the great castle walls. With it a roar bellowed and resounding even unto the heavens! At last set aright the fox realized the futility of world domination on an empty stomach, and so began the night's food plurk....
Mum, seeing Sally in fright, put her under one arm, tucked the Beckitty under the other, and waited to be sure all was well. She then followed the Fox into the kitchen.
Sally was glad for Mum's rescue, shivered and thought the kitchen to be a good place to gather.
The Fox says, “Sorry, the bottomless belly of the Fox can get pretty noisy.”
Mum hopes the Fox will let us know what he finds in that magical box after he fills his belly and tells us what he eats. The Fox says, “Oh, I found some roast and mashed potatoes and buttery biscuits with blackberry jam! I'm approaching the box with a mixture of caution and anticipation.” Beckitty crawls back into the box to retrieve the fox’s gift. She tugs out a table cloth covered in delish foods for the McNanas to feast on! The Fox is still hungry and excited about the prospect of more food. Beckitty is unsure where to start on the feast... she decides carrot cake is the best place to start and dives into the middle of the cake. She watches the frosting go flying everywhere and hopes that Mum McNana won't be mad at her as she slurps up the cream cheese frosting. The fox happily assists in the devouring and cleaning of the carrot cake, and Beckitty is glad to have the fox's help in devouring the bits of cake. The Fox comments that he is always at the Cat's service, especially when it's of a food related nature, doffs imaginary cap and winks. Beckitty moves on to the next dish which is filled with guacamole! The Fox cries, “guacamole!!!” The elated Fox sets to feasting on the guacamole, struggling to remember to leave some for everyone else.
Sally wakes up to find the fox and Beckitty asleep in the kitchen and food remains all over the table. She tucks the fox and Beckitty under some blankies, tidies the kitchen up and prepares hot drinks for what will likely be a quiet day at the castle. With a sigh, Sally takes a cup of coffee and blanket and curls up by the fire. Mum straggles in, too late to enjoy the feast. Hugs her cherished daughter and joins her in a quiet cup of coffee by the fire.

Morning Party at Castle McNana

2009-02-05T12:29:00.000-08:00

In the darkness of the night the fox sat watching the glow of distant lightning from beneath the bare branches of a Chinese pistachio. The events of recent days replayed in his mind like the stiff north wind rushing over his thick coat of brown fur. The Sally had searched faithfully for the chronicles of McNania only to find they were still being written. The search for pirate treasure had been put on hold. The amorphous shape-shifter had delivered each to their proper shore and abandoned the ship to flutter between forms as he fancied. The Magic Vine had sought some time to refocus and re-gather her strength. The fox hoped it would not be for long. Time has its own rhythm for each of us and the past few days seemed like a blur to the fox. Before leaving herself, the Squeakyfingers had lent the services of the ketchup ninja army for a special mission. A disruption from the overlords of music had been met with bloodless red vengeance. Peace had been restored, but harmony was a different matter...

The father of the Sally in a rage had lumbered off to haunts unknown. The Mum had been quite distraught by her beau's tempest and was comforted with no small family effort. In the symphony of all things there are gorgeous melodies broken by discordant notes and movements major and minor. The melody would aright itself again and the symphony would go on.

At that thought the fox braced himself against a brief but chill gust that sent him scampering in search of shelter and a place to rest his weary body. Salmon sashimi and schemes for the morrow danced across his mind as he bid Plurkland a silent good night.

Sally woke up to silence and thought of music, symphonies and hugs as she gave the fox scritchies and put a blanket over him. Sally thought she had been dreaming, but realized she'd heard the fox's story while asleep, smiled and walked to the kitchen to make drinks for the family.

Deez says the 'a-word' for the fox, may his palantir shine brightly, speak to him and not tell lies about the mists of the future!

Mum McNana felt the chill draught as it reached deep into the castle, even to the quiet, dark nook where she had retreated to sit in silence by the fire, waiting...waiting...waiting... contemplating sadness and broken things...deep pools of still water with strong undercurrents... rainbows, vines, roller coasters...the ocean and its music... mysteries and magical viny things and how they all connect. She wrapped herself more tightly in the blanket her daughter had made, looked out the window at the star-filled nigh, smiled, and sighed. She felt happy and sad, at peace despite disquiet… contented. Mum heard musical murmurs of contentment echo through the hallways of the castle. She waited and waited and waited... warmed by the glow of the McNana fire.

Sally wandered over to mum to give her a gentle huggle. She grabbed a cushion and a blankie, curled up by the beautiful fire with her coffee and a smile on her face, when suddenly a snowball hit against the window... Will family Mc Nana come out to play and have fun, at least?

Sally jumps up, runs to the window, asks the guys to be quiet, runs to her room to get warm clothes on and heads to the door.

Mum McNana smiles at her boisterous, energetic, resilient family.

Deez gives Mum a wink, and says: 'told ya'!

Sally runs in from the cold with frozen toes and fingers and a burning face from the snowballs, cuddles mum, puts dry clothes on and curls up by the fire to get warm. Mum welcomes her lovely daughter back to the cozy room and decides this would be a nice place to spend the day.

Grandpa McNana struggles into the room carrying a huge armload of firewood, and attends to the fire. He grumbles that the ancient Victrola in the corner seems incapable of playing any new records - only old, worn ones. However, he suggests that the family sing songs together, to add music to the occasion.

Mum jumps up to help her dear Da with his load, then huggles him joyfully, and thinks about what song would be just right... nods and starts singing a silly, catchy tune... sings “I tried to do handstands for you; I tried to do headstands for you; Every time I fell on you; yeah, every time I fell… ; I tried to do handstands for you; But every time I fell for you; I'm permanently black and blue; permanently blue for you…; For you-ooh-ooh-ooh; So black and blue-ooh-ooh-ooh; For you-ooh-ooh-ooh. Grandpa McNana applauds, likes his daughter's singing, and suggests this (“Matchsticks & Firewood”) as the next song.

Deez suggests: “Maybe Brian Mazza can turn that into a song for us, Mum?”

Sally joins in the singing, but quickly stops so as not to damage anyone's ears, takes to dancing to the singing instead. Mum says she “loves that song, Da! We need some instruments in here..”. Mum also loves watching her daughter twirl.

Mum answers Deez, “it is a song already: Chairlift - Bruises”

Suddenly the doorbell rings... Who can that be at this time of day??? Are we making too much noise, Da wonders? No, it turns out to be a passing gypsy dance troupe, wanting to join the party! Mum invites them in, for they've got instruments! Sally jumps up and down with excitement. Mum sends Deez around to gather more McNanas to join the dancin' singin' good times. Soon the room is filled with dancing McNanas.

Mum asks Da for another song, just as Deez brings in a group of dancing Nana's following the gypsies in, and stamping the beat with their feet. Handclapping by the whole family, while Dad pops the cork of another bottle of wine.

Deez then asks “Can I have a cuppa tea Da? Please?” Mum wonders if it's really a good idea to mix tea and wine...shrugs...holds out a cup for tea, please. She welcomes all the singers, dancers, drinkers and notes that it's nice to live in a magical big castle.

Grandpa asks Deez: ”Is this kind OK?” He replies: “Yak! English style please, Da, with milk and sugar, the only way to drink tea!” “But thanks for offering that, I might take up clairvoyancy when you gimme those tealeaves later on...” Tim stops dancing long enough to comment: “mmm peppermint, my favorite!” Sally says, “Yum!” Mum says, “oooh, Da! Perfect. Peppermint is sooo soothing. Thanks!”, and welcomes Tim to the party.

Sally passes Deez a cup of proper English tea. Mum nods in approval at her gracious, generous Da and daughter, then asks them to please continue singing and dancing, while she curls up in a corner to sip tea and watch. Deez says “gracias Sally!”

Sally returns to the dancing.

Tim suspects that Deez has only had the horrid tea bag style green tea and not a proper quality loose leaf. He likes them baggies of black? tea, Tetley is his favorite. Ignorance is bliss. Grandpa finds it incredible that Tim and Deez would have a tea debate with all this singing & dancing going on. Deez joins the dancing, and says “Da is right!” Sally yells, “YAY!!!!” Grandpa joins in the dancing, Deez and Mum crank up the music, and Tim says he is “saaaawwwwweeeee“ for the tea argument.

Grandpa replies that he thinks conversations on any subject are appropriate at parties. Mum adds that she thinks the ballroom is plenty big enough to allow for side conversations and other thingies. Grandpa wonders what his daughter meant by "other thingies" Sally guesses that “mum prolly means naps and huggles and book reading and stuffs like that.”

The fox sips his morning coffee, smiles and laughs at the family partying again. Mum nods at Sally and invites the fox over for some snuggly scritchies. Deez wonders if a fox could join the party. Mum points out that the fox inspired the party.

Dylvid the shape-shifter reopens the tea discussion by announcing that he likes Jasmine, Chrysanthemum, Black and Green Teas, Fox's Stories, and some parties. Mum leaves her corner for a dance with Dylvid, who states that he likes these parties. Deez is quite content to see the partying going on, while having a little late lunch & coffee and smiles at seeing Mum & the fox dancing, then realized that he is also mistaken, must be the wine earlier... It is of course Dylvid & @ Mum .... The fox doesn't dance so early in the morning.

The dancing goes on for quite a while, Sally giggling every now and then. Finally, Mum feels a bit dizzy and returns to corner when the song ends, thanking Dylvid for the nice dance. Dylvid returns to his coffee. Deez is laughing uncontrollably at the hilarious antics of the dancers.

Sally is hoping that Dylvid does not drown in all the coffee. The fox suggests that if he starts to drown he can always morph into coffee, which brings a cry of “eeeeep” from Dylvid. Sally says she “is not entirely sure that would be a good idea somehow, coz there's too many McNana family members who like to drink coffee”, which brings a laugh from the fox. He suggests “maybe a cork would be safer...”, which brings a laugh from Deez. Grandpa says the discussion reminds him of the old Disney movie "Sword in the Stone" where the wizards duel by morphing into different things, and Merlin wins by morphing into a virus.

Mcnana Treasure Island Part One

2009-01-22T05:26:00.000-08:00

huliwuxian as the night wore on the fox turned his muddled mind to thoughts of the pirate treasure he overheard 2Blades discussing earlier...
• huliwuxian It is rumored that pirates oft frequented the many oceans and isles of Plurk. Long, too is the lore of McNana treasure spirited away to some distant corner of Plurkland. What the bootie was, who hid it away and where have long found controversy a common tongue. Muddled with much music, voices and stories the fox struggled to concentrate..."What was I looking for again..." the fox's voice startled him from his reveries...Ah yes, the hidden bootie of the McNanas, mwahahaha... The one eye of 2 Blades watched him close but the fox knew well it was just the fake glass eye. The real eye was now hidden under the patch while she slumbered. 2Blades is crafty but sly like a fox is not an idiom unfounded in truth. So the fox began to make his preparations for the hunt...
• A ship would be needed and a crew to man her. Of course with the amorphous shape shifter the fox had no reason to search for a ship! With this thought he set about procuring the services of the shape shifter. Knowing his weakness was his belly the fox procured some idlies with sambar for a breakfast the chef could not refuse to become a ship for... as to the crew the fox knew the worth of keen eyes and a nose that knows all the smells of the sea... the cat's weakness being the same as
• beckysalljazzy *waits*
• huliwuxian the amorphous shape shifter the fox prepared some 3 Cup Cuttlefish
and some oyster vermicelli

• beckysalljazzy
• unclefesta says arrgh, treasure me hearties
• huliwuxian and for dessert a special treat
• beckysalljazzy being so tempted by the fox's delicious treats could not help but follow him to sea despite her everpresent fear of water. She would brave the aqueous substance and join the arduous journey
• huliwuxian delighted in the cat's acceptance the fox turned his attention to the purveyor of good fortune and keeper of spells, the magic vine. The fox thought hard on what it would take to win the good graces of the vine when it occurred to him that he was really making this too hard... family is family and our weakness is the same... Some Madeleine Truffles would work! along with some chocolate cake of course

• the more McNanas that could be lured into this enterprise the better thought the fox and so he busied himself contriving more culinary traps
• beckysalljazzy the cat looks in awe at the splendor that the fox has laid out before his family and believes that she is in the exact right place and the exact right family.
• Sally was reluctant to wake up, but the culinary delights the fox had thought up were irresistible
• huliwuxian beer is always good...

• Sally headed for the family kitchen to prepare coffees, teas and hot chocolates to accompany the food
• huliwuxian
• Sally and on her way there stroked the fox and the cat

• beckysalljazzy believes that the fox jests with simple beer and knows that deep in his pocket he has hidden an ale house with assorted exotic brews...
• Sally meanwhile worryng about the seafaring adventure
• beckysalljazzy *slips Bridgeport Ale House into the fox's pocket just in case...
• huliwuxian wine is a given:

the wisdom of the cat shines again and the fox happily adds the Bridgeport Ale House into the mix. comforted with strokings of the SallySilvera the fox knows only too well the dire necessity of a properly caffeinated crew and pleads her acceptance with

• Sally finds it impossible to resist the chocolate fix on offer and decided to join the hunt, though wary of the ship and water and concerned for.. the safety of the family
• huliwuxian the fox leaps onto the Sally and huggles his assurances of safety and with flash of furry red tail retreats to bed. there to dream on the details of the hunt.
• beckysalljazzy the cat wishes her red furry friend a sweet night with many pleasant and piratey dreams and hopes that tomorrow will bring a glorious treasure map to guide the family along to the oft fabled McNana treasure
• Sally covers the fox with a warm blankie and wishes his sweet dreams of found treasure and good food
• Mum McNana emerges from the master suite later than usual, the Neez having left early for another long day at work strolls thru the dining hall on the way to kitchen. Stops short. Sees a litter of seafood, chocolate, empty beer bottles, wine, clues written in chocolate paw prints Smiles, knowing the pets have been at their adventures again. Rings for Lurch to clean up the mess. Starts to leave. Spies an unmolested truffle. Pops it in her mouth.

Philomath Mcnanas Press Conference

2009-01-19T11:41:00.001-08:00

There follows a full transcript of the events occurring at todays controversial press conference. This is recorded here as a matter of public record to avoid confusion or potential future legal proceedings. The transcript is an absolute record as agreed by all those present.
Readers of a nervous disposition should not proceed beyond this point:

Mum McNanasays
dang! I'm still lost on the time thing and don't know when that is!?
karlski half an hour....
Mum McNana says thanks Skeez!
Mum McNana *rearranges her schedule*
Mum McNana wonders if the horse vet will understand if she has to wait for me to attend this press conference...
deSalire says Hurry!!!
Sally wonders what abouyt?
Mum McNana Tell her to hold her horses
Mum McNanasays seriously, afraid I'm gonna miss this!!!
deSalire says Sally I dunno, but it sounds all official like and important. *tries to wait patiently*
Mum McNana is not at all good with that "patient" thingy...
Elisha Horsies need their check ups. (Hope they're all ok!) We'll update you. Promise!
karlski naah you wont miss it. The minutes of the meeting will all be there!!
karlski recorded accurately in nice bite size pieces
deSalire says Yeah! What Skeez sayz. And Sally is good at updating.
deSalire hopes coffee and crumpets will be served.
SixSecret ssays Yum...coffee....crumpets..
karlski SixSecrets its getting crowded in here, have a seat on my knee! Fancy a drinkie?
karlski *wonders if he can jack Davids Plurk*
SixSecrets says I have the glasses if you have the goods
thai-me-J-L says according to my atomic clock it is now 16:30 GMT
karlski *pulls out a very fine Lagavulin*

DylanPalmira says Check Check

DylanPalmira says Test 1 2
Sally*grabs some coffee and crumpets and starts taking notes*

DylanPalmirasays
*ahem*

karlski
*pours Scotch*

karlski
Glug

SixSecretssays
Yay Sally-She the girl on the spot!

deSalirehas
decided there should be spirits in the coffee to liven things up a bit.

DylanPalmira
waves.

karlski
*passes Bottle*

SixSecretssays
Ready

karlski
Coff foff

DylanPalmirasays
thank you... thank you. *eyes karlski*

karlski
ahem

DylanPalmirasays
Thank you for joining me here today. I have a lot to share, so I ask that you please hold all questions until after I make my..>

DylanPalmirasays
<.. prepared statement. DylanPalmira *thwaps* 140 character limit.

DylanPalmirasays
*ahem*

karlski
SixSecrets

DylanPalmirasays
Gasps and applause are, of course, permitted but, will probably only encourage me.

SixSecretssays
Oh Karl...not here...people will talk

karlski
*pours another*

DylanPalmirasays
You may (or, more likely, may not) have noticed that I have been sharing some dramatic and unusual dreams with my friends in plurkionia.

deSalire
/whispers Thanks Skeez. Knew you'd come thru.

thai-me-J-Lsays
(plurkistan)

karlski
*hands over very full glass*

SixSecretsasks
Sally, you getting this all down in your notebook?

ThomasAD3says
(or Plurkland)

DylanPalmirasays
I have come here today to confess that these were not, in fact, figments of my imagination and that I have secretly ..>

DylanPalmirasays
<.. been living a double life in Second Life (tm)

karlski
APPLAUDS

SixSecretswants
More Karl...fill it to the brim...

DylanPalmirasays
My name is not really Philomath as I have tried to convince you, it is, actually Dylan Palmira, and I recently moved into Second Life (tm)

karlski
*pours again*

DylanPalmira
pauses and has a sip of water.

karlski
*psiked that earlier*

karlski
*spiked*

SixSecretswill
Have a sip or two of scotch

DylanPalmira
knows.

karlski
*damn typos*

deSalirewonders
(a little worriedly) where this is all leading...

SixSecretssays
blame it on the scotch Karl

karlski
*tops up waiting glass*

DylanPalmira
*sips again*

deSalirethinks
Skeez has been psiking his own drinks too

karlskithinks
Its a bit late for Linda to worry

DylanPalmirasays
I moved there when Third Life (tm) became uninhabitable due to the loss of two of the 18 dimensions and ..>

DylanPalmirasays
<.. my connections with reality there were disrupted.

karlskiwonders
what David is going on about

SixSecretsasks
Disrupted how?

DylanPalmirasays
While my move to SL (tm) has been comfortable (and even enjoyable) and I would have like to shared my experiences ...>

DZonT61is
getting a new cuppu too!*

DylanPalmirasays
<... with all of you... I chose to hide them. DZonT61is cuppa SixSecretsasks Why?

DylanPalmirasays
I feared that you, my constituents would think less of me because of all the dancing (which is frowned ..>

karlskithinks
David is coming out

DylanPalmirasays
<.. upon in 3rd Life and illegal in 4th Life Mach II)

SixSecretsasks
Out of where?

SixSecretsasks
On no, Mach II

karlskithinks
his shell perhaps

SixSecretsasks
As in peanut?

deSaliresays
Sings "In another dimension, with voyeuristic intention... Lets do the time warp again..."

DylanPalmirasays
I have now come to learn that dancing is acceptible in 1st Life and even cherished so I come to you contrite and hopeful I will be forgiven.

karlskithinks
another drink perhaps

DylanPalmira
pause to take a step to the left and a jump to the right.

SixSecretsasks
Is chair dancing acceptable?

SixSecretsasks
I'll have one as well Karl, tyvm

deSalire
*Eeps and hides from 4th Life Mach II*

karlskisays
Thats not a chair thats my knee

DylanPalmira
Still, I would probably not have come forward had it not come to my attention that pictures exist of my 'adventures' in Second Life.

DZonT61is

SixSecretsasks
Oooooooooooooooohhhhhhhhhhhhh Karl

karlski
*pours yet again*

DylanPalmira
It is the fear of these images which prompted me to come forward now.

deSalire
Philo and With him. YAY!!!

Sallyshares
Dylan should have no fear of piccies, coz he's an excellent dancer

DZonT61says
bro, don't get the girl drunk!

DylanPalmira
adds not, as you might suspect my since of public duty.

SixSecretshopes
We'll all dance

DylanPalmira
*sense

karlski
*too late*

deSalire
*snickersnorts*

DylanPalmira
I sincerely hope that by getting ahead of the story and trying to control the spin that I may still have a chance to run for public office.

DylanPalmira
ducks

!

SixSecretsfeels
that she has missed something

DylanPalmira
Sally.

karlskisays
time for that dance now then?

DZonT61wonders
how dancing the plurk would look like

lisanevadawonders
the same thing as SixSecrets

Sally
David/Dylan/Philomath

SixSecretssays
Let;s dance

DylanPalmira

karlskisays

DZonT61
YAY!

deSaliresays
You got my vote. Hell, I'll vote twice if you slip some of those threads off and slip some more booze in my coffee

SixSecretssays
Karl, I love the way you move your hips

Sallyshares
should prolly add he's also a very good looking dancer

karlskisays
Waht was David on about anyway?

DylanPalmirawonders
what SixSecrets and LisaNevada were hoping for embezzlement

SixSecretssays
Beats me

SixSecretssays
Nah, I just want more scotch

thai-me-J-Lsays
so are you announcing your bid for Grand Vizier of Plurkistan™ for 2013?

deSaliresays
NICE Piccy Sally!

DylanPalmirasays
Thank you all for coming

deSalire
Can we dance now?

karlskisays
YAY!!

DylanPalmira
didn't see any camera, Sally.

Jeanburrasca81says
I didn't really get that, but I'm happy that everyone's happy and dancing

Sally
deSalire: thanks! not my best pic ever, but it was kinda taken on the sly

deSalirethinks
Dylan owes her another SL dance. And Sally does too

SixSecretssays
Can we have more scotch now and is Sally going to distribute the minutes

lisanevadasays
I've been a bit lost ever since you asked for the difference between girlfriend and girl friend as your profile says you're married

karlski
*pours*

Sallysays
you'll never see a camera Dylan/David

DylanPalmira
*sighs* Elisha missed it.

DylanPalmirasays
nor will you Sally

SixSecretssays
Pour some this way Karl, s.v.p.

DZonT61
more scotch? ...just when Sean Connery walks in...

Sally
passes around the minutes, which state that David/Dylan is a nice guy who talked a lot of stuff and likes dancing in all universes

lisanevadasays
no big deal though - I have a brain like a sieve.

SixSecretssays
That sums it up excruiatingly well Sally-ty.

karlski
*hands over bottle to sixsecrets*

SixSecretssays
Why thank you Karl

DylanPalmirawishes
to hire Sally as his Press Secretary.

SixSecretssays
I second the motion

DylanPalmirasays
those are some nice pics Sally... thanks

Mum McNanasays
arrived late!!!!

Sallysays
yer welcome David, just rough shots taken quickly though will have to get some better ones

Sallysays
not too late though Elisha ma

SixSecretssays
Mum, there's still some scotch left

deSaliresays
While we're on the subject of Seconds... Open a second bottle of scotch, Skeez

karlski
How did you know I had one?

DylanPalmira
would tell everyone how wonderful Sally but she'd probably just hide.

Mum McNanasays
Dylan is silly, but he's cute!

deSaliresays
Elisha missed all the dirt!

Mum McNanasays
Elisha skimmed this plurk and will read it carefully when RL allows.

Mum McNanathinks
Sally is wonderful, too: that much I got.

Mum McNanawants
a drink, got that, too.

DylanPalmirawants
to add that video (not pictures) will be required to show deSalire awesomeness.

DylanPalmira
Elisha

Sallysays
haven't sussed the vid in SL thingy yet

Mum McNanasays
backatcha David/Dylan. Thanks for coming out of the closet.

deSaliresays
Ya got that right.

DylanPalmirathinks
we'll have to invent it. She's just to fast to be caught in on cel.

deSalire
ahahahahaha ok, is this officially the David comes out of the closet thread?

Sallysays
it already exists, I just dunno how to do it

DylanPalmira
doubts the technology is advanced enough to keep up with Feandra.

DylanPalmirawonders
if Sally got *any* pics in your studio that night.

deSalire
there aint much out there that can. Not a man, nor camera that could capture this wild one.

Mum McNanasays
this has been lots of fun! Now I have to go do RL things until this evening. I will keep my eyes on you'ums via mobile.

Mum McNanasays
if you see Bonnie Neez round these parts, please tell him for me...

Sallysays

DylanPalmira: I did, but SL lost them, coz of database borkedness, so we'll have to do that again sometime

Mum McNanasays
...thanks for last night and will look forward to another nice evening...

Mum McNanasays
sorry for plurk-jacking. That's all. Carry on.

DylanPalmira
Mum McNana McNana

DylanPalmirawonders
if Sally really believes she is getting him in that posing stand again .

deSaliresays
'course she will! You've got new threads to show off.

Sallysays
deSalire: he does?????

DylanPalmira

Sallywants
to seeeeeeee!!!!!

DylanPalmirawill
show you sometime

Sally
looks forward to that

beckysalljazzy
*wanders into the press conference late, all amiss, with papers and things falling down behind her and a briefcase containing candy and...

beckysalljazzy
sandwiches* What'd I miss???

Sally
hands Becky a copy the minutes, which state that David/Dylan is a nice guy who talked a lot of stuff and likes dancing in all universes

beckysalljazzysays
thank you Sally. *reads the minutes*

DylanPalmira
blushes and wishes Sally would stop calling him that.

DylanPalmira
beckysalljazzy.

beckysalljazzysays
good morning DylanPalmira. Sorry I was late to the conference.

Sallysays
welcome back to the conference room nice Mr Dylan

DylanPalmira
notes it was impromptu. You didn't know...

Sallywonders
whether mr Dylan plans to organise photo ops next time he holds a press conference

DylanPalmira
thanks super awesomeeerrific Sally.

DylanPalmira
would have preferred to have been more organized, Sally. Next time I hope you can help me with that. This was a crisis which...>

Sallyis
NOT awesome!

DylanPalmira
<... needed to be addressed quickly. DylanPalmira would only hire an awesome Press Secretary.

Sallywishes
mr Dylan good luck with hiring a press secretary

2009-01-18T14:29:00.000-08:00

A Night in Plurkland with the McNana Family

2009-01-17T15:10:00.001-08:00

By huliwuxian

With contributions from beckysalljazzy, Logotherapist, Karlski, and Sally

Edited by ThomasAD3

…and a great quiet descended on Plurkland. All the McNanas had gone to bed, save for the muddle-headed fox who busied himself scouring the plurk streams for a snack of fish. Alas, only minnows were to be found and the bottomless pit of fox's belly growled with a fierce snarl. The welcome, though sudden and unexpected laughter of another roaming the lands of plurk scared off even the last few minnows. The fox sighed and set to contemplating how best to hunt the night's missing food plurk. If only the cat could be found, for, never having failed yet, she would know how to read the trails to culinary nirvana.

After many long plurk minutes the cat's tracks grew ever more faint and for a moment the fox despaired of appeasing the rumble of the belly. The master chef of amorphous shape-shifting nature had also departed to dreamland. The breakfast in the magical McNana bed was still many hours away... "Where's the bloody grocery store in Plurkland, anyway?" the fox wondered aloud. The fabled laksa seemed as distant a dream as ever.

It was then that the fox happened upon a lone wayward pillow in the wilds of a small copse. Curious, the fox first made a stealthy circuit of the surrounding area and approached in ever shrinking concentric circles the strangely discarded cushiony wonder. At last comforted in his isolation the fox curled up snug in the pillow and once again returned to his reading of Ender's Game. The unnecesary and disturbing desecration of the body of a squirrel by one the characters. which, followed by a callous remark so typical of anthropos that it was better it were a squirrel than a human child, had provided the earlier impulse to search for some grub. All books have their vices, perhaps the better to keep you from becoming too complacent. So the fox delved in again before bidding Plurkland good night once more.

Beckitty, the cat, feels that she has failed the ever-faithful fox and leaves him a snack of catfish for the morning, with promise of culinary delights to follow.

Ma is awakened by a *poke, poke* from David the shape-shifter. Finds Beckitty asleep on her feet and Li'l fox curled up on the plush carpet with a book beneath his left paw and a fish waiting nearby, thinks about the breakfast that awaits them all, and hopes that the kids will start crawling in for morning snuggles and lazy lounging while they await the start of another lovely day in Castle McNana. She yawns and snuggles back in, deep beneath the covers, feeling blessed and content, and goes back to sleep.

WAKEY WAKEY!!!!!!!! screamed the annoying early riser!! as he clatters around tripping over assorted felines, canines etc..

Beckitty wonders where the ever-so-clever and intelligent fox has gone off to while she makes her rounds of the McNana castle. Alas, she comes across few.. and not a one is the fox. She pauses to admire the vigilante turtles that so many love, and then wanders onward to stare at the moon and stars... and wonder at how very far away they are, and yet the same for all. Those McNanas who are awakening, those who are asleep, and those who have yet to retire to their bedchambers. She lies down in the grass and waits... for sleep, or the fox, or whomsoever comes along to breathe life into the still dark night.

Ma stirs. Notices the pets are missing. Lies awake, wondering...She recalls that she also did not see any signs of her daughter O all day and wonders...but is soon lulled back to sleep by the hypnotic rhythm of air flowing in and out of the warm presence beside her. She entrusts her beloved family to whoever may be there to guide and protect them. Snuggles closer and sleeps peacefully.

Uncle Karl sneaks around various rooms and lifts small high value objects, pocketing them for valuation and checks with his underworld contacts to see if anything may be easily fenced. Has a bit of a shock when the mobile phone is answered by a police inspector. Makes the decision that a few pieces of family silverware are not worth the hassle anyway and perhaps he will stick to robbing museums and jewelers anyway... like a ghost he sidles through the darkened corridors and replaces his booty, with not a single fleck of dust disturbed to mark his passing. Satisfied with a job well done Karlski smiles a secret lopsided grin..The practice was worth it, his skills remain peerless and unmatched. Not a print was left, nor a footprint, even the ink black shadows failed to notice the stealthy figure, as he returns to sleep with a satisfied sigh of contentment...

Sally wanders in sleepy-eyed, reads the beautiful story, stares at those same stars and goes off looking for coffee.

Meet the Mcnanas

2009-01-17T14:02:00.000-08:00

The Mcnana Family tree is still a kind of work in progress as new branches are discovered, old branches pruned and new fruits are formed. Thanks to Pops for his record keeping!!

The Unlikely Story of an Unlikely Family

2009-01-17T13:54:00.000-08:00

The family of Mcnana, based around the village of sixtyone, in the county of Plurkiton are one of the nicest groups of people one could wish to meet. This is their story, their history, and their legacy.