No Tricks, All Treats

Posted on November 4th, 2010 by Jean

My husband, the great white hunter, ran off to Williams, Arizona to look for Bambi, leaving the kids and I to fend for ourselves this past Halloween. My sister, upon hearing the news, volunteered to help me out, understanding the difficulty of combining Trick-Or-Treating, photography and cocktails. If anyone could pull it off, it was she!

On Halloween Eve, we carved pumpkins. The kids were troopers, but their little arms were clearly challenged by the whole poking/carving shebang. It was Team Mom & Pearl against Team Aunt Sunny & Natalie. Pearl and I were slow & steady, never losing our focus.

Natalie changed her stencil three times before ever lifting a tool. She declared it “fun” when Aunt Sunny took over carving duty.

By the end, Team Pearl was victorious for finishing first, Natalie was crying, and Aunt Sunny was armed and semi-dangerous. (Don’t hurt me, Aunt Sunny, for posting this picture!)

Fast forward to Halloween Night. The kids donned their super hero costumes and allowed me to staple the fake boots to their real shoes. Then we went Trick-Or-Treating at the casinos. Imagine entering the casino and filling your goody bags with chips. Nice! Ok, now wipe that image from your mind, and picture the reality. Ground level hotel rooms decorated in spider webs, black fabric, skeletons and ghouls. Hotel guests dressed in costumes handing out candy from their patios. Only in Laughlin?

The kids hit most of the displays in a 45 minute span, filling their satchels half way. We hoofed it back to our car, conveniently parked at the tiniest casino on this strip, the Regency. What can I say? Parking is plentiful, and the gift shop gives treats.

Back across the river to Arizona, we headed to Chili’s. The hostess handed us a “BOGO” coupon, allowing the kids to eat free. Apparently our server didn’t get the memo because he tacked on the extra ten bucks. My sister’s eagle eye spotted the discrepancy and saved the day. Look how else she saved the day, with refreshing margaritas.

Told you she could juggle it all.

• How was your Halloween?
• Is carving pumpkins overrated?
• What’s the best thing you ever took away from a casino?

To view more photos of the Laughlin Halloween Safe Street, visit our business blog, Around The River Blogs.

Tags: Aunt, carving, casinos, Chili's, costumes, crazy, halloween, holiday, jack-o-lanterns, laughlin, margaritas, pay day, pumpkins, Regency, River, river walk, safe street, treat, trick, winner

Special Guest: The Mama Mary Show

Posted on October 21st, 2010 by Jean

It’s an exciting day here as I host my first Guest Blogger. Please help me welcome Mary of The Mama Mary Show! From the minute I stepped foot (virtually) into her world, I knew Mary had “it”. She’s entertaining, charming, professional and beautiful. Watching her vlogs, I feel like I’m catching up with a good friend. Enough of my intro. Let’s get to the good stuff! ~ Jean

Everyone’s A Winner

The year I turned twenty-one I went to Las Vegas at least eight times. I was in the middle of my junior year at the University of California at Santa Barbara so Vegas was only a short drive, and really the optimum place to celebrate one’s entry into official adulthood. Once I got a taste of the bright lights and a hankering for doubling down, there was no stoppin’ me.

My best memory of Vegas that year was a trip I took with my three besties, Amy, Brandy and Lori. We stayed at the illustrious Circus Circus hotel where $2.00 Black Jack tables were a highly sought after commodity rather than a thing of the past (pretty sure the $2.00 tables can’t be found nowadays).

Once we found a $2.00 table that could accommodate all four of us, we bellied up, antied up and settled in. The dealer and our fellow table mates could tell that we were newbies so they were very forthcoming with the “understood” rules of when to hit and when to stay. If you’ve played Blackjack before than you are probably aware of the dirty glares and eye rolls you get if you don’t “let the dealer bust.” We quickly caught on, and after a few hands of watching the dealer hit a twelve with a ten and begin stacking chips in front of us, we got the hang of it. Shortly thereafter, my friend Amy remembered a phrase taught to her by her favorite aunt.

The phrase is “Everyone’s a winner!” She taught us the very specific inflection and cadence with which it must be uttered (see video below) and we then taught it to everyone else at our table (to give the phrase its true magic, the key is to not only say it with the required rhythm, but it also must be said in unison by EVERY player at the table).

Luckily our tablemates were game, so to speak, and began chiming in with us every time the dealer would bust. “Everyone’s a winner!” we exclaimed, time and time again. Soon the pit bosses were gathered around and we had nearby tables joining in on our jovial cheer.

At some point I had to excuse myself to go to the restroom (you know, free cocktails and all). When I returned to the table I found seven empty chairs, no dealer and a black tablecover indicating the table to be closed. It was a Twilight Zone moment for me as I looked around for my friends and tried to retrace my steps back to the bathroom in case I had gotten turned around (casinos have that way about them). But after due investigation, I was certain that my friends had been hauled off to the Vegas black market and I had some splainin’ to do to our parents.

Minor panic began to set in, until one of my girlfriends sauntered over and grabbed me by the arm. “They moved us to a different table,” she explained as she pulled me in a different direction.

Apparently our table had been making quite the scene, in a good way, so the “house” moved us to a more visible, high-profile table. Our chanting-infused good luck continued at the new table and we were all able to walk away from the night winners.

Since that night I have introduced everyone and anyone I have ever met at a blackjack table to the cheer and though I have never been as lucky as that first night (who is?), my gambling experiences are always a blast (albeit annoying to the more serious game playas who should be playing at higher stakes tables anyway).

What about you? Do you have any traditions or good luck charms when you’re gambling? I highly recommend the “Everyone’s a winner” cheer for you and your table. It’s fun for the whole casino!

Check out the video below for a brief tutorial.

Tags: 21, blackjack, Blogger, bust, casino, Circus Circus, games, guest, mama, Mary, show, table, Tips, twenty-one, Vegas, vlog, winner

Cocktail Recipe & Give-Away

Posted on July 3rd, 2010 by Jean

During my most recent visit to Vegas, I stopped at the new Tommy Bahama Restaurant & Bar in Town Square. Their Blackberry Basil Smash was so delicious, I knew I had to recreate the recipe at home.

Ingredients
• 2-3 large, fresh blackberries
• 2 fresh basil leaves
• 3 slivers of fresh, peeled ginger
• 1 shot white rum
• 1 shot sweet and sour mix
• Sprite

Muddle blackberries, basil and ginger in mixing glass. Add rum and sweet & sour mix. Fill serving glass with ice. Shake cocktail. Strain into serving glass. Top with Sprite. Garnish with basil leaf & blackberry.

Leave a comment, and your name will be added to the drawing for a Tommy Bahama natural wooden muddler.

• Have you enjoyed a muddled drink?
• What store do you wish would open a restaurant?
• What will be your Summer 2010 drink?

Check out Tommy Bahamas Drink of the Month for more great recipes!

Give-Away Rules: Drawing will be held August 1, 2010. One entry per household. Comments accepted at Facebook, YouTube and WordPress. Two winners will be announced 8/1/2010.