The Road to Arizona--NFC Champs Seattle Seahawks

Good evening from rainy NYC! What started out as a sheet of ice this morning turned into torrential rain all day. It was another day to stay in the house with sweats. I spent the day reading, solving the Newsday puzzles, and creating yet another game.

The NFC championship game just ended, and I have to say this was an exciting game. I wish our local teams played this well. Although the Packers took a strong lead, the Seahawks rallied and won, 28-22. The Seahawks go on to play in Super Bowl XLIX and hope to repeat last year's victory. Here are some fun facts about the Seahawks:

Blitz

• The franchise turned 40 last year. The Nordstrom family were originally the majority partners of the team.
• The team is currently owned by Paul Allen of Microsoft fame.
• Collectively, Seahawks' fans are referred to as the "12th Man." 
• The Seahawks are the only team to have played in both the AFC and NFC championship games.
• The team's mascots are Blitz and and Taima the Hawk
• The team was originally going to be called the Seattle Kings, but were named the Seahawks as the result of a contest.
• In 2010, the Seahawks made the playoffs despite having a 7-10 record.
• The Seahawks' major rivals are the San Francisco 49ers, the St. Louis Rams, and the Denver Broncos.
• In 2010, the fans voted for a 35th Anniversary All-Star Team.
• Marshawn Lynch almost didn't play today because he wanted to wear his gold cleats. He was told they were in violation of the NFL rules. His nickname in college was "Money."

We will post more facts, along with stats, in the coming days leading up to the game. It's now time for the Patriots-Colts AFC Championship Game.

Party Idea of the Day: From Bakerella, here are some cute Jersey cookies. Of course, these are from Super Bowl XLV, but the site provides detailed instructions for creating this display.

Super Bowl Fun Fact of the Day: Super Bowl XIV was the most attended, with 103,985 fans in attendance. The least-attended game was Super Bowl I, with a crowd of just 61,946 fans.

Today's Birthdays: Samantha Mumba (32), Jason Segel (35), Jonathan Davis (44), DJ Quik (45), Jesse L. Martin (46), Jane Harrocks (51), Brett Hudson (62), and Bobby Goldsboro (74) .

Holidaze: Please forgive me for mising up days! I didn't realize it was National Winnie-the-Pooh Day, not National Popcorn Day. This day was created to celebrate author A.A. Milne's birthday, who was born on January 18, 1882.

It's also National Peking Duck day. which is of course one of the most popular dishes in many Chinese restaurants. It was never my personal favorite--too greasy, here is a recipe from The Food Network.

It's time to get ready for tomorrow's work day. Tomorrow is MLK Day, but I think my office is the only one in our entire building that's open.

Have a PRINTASTIC night!

Kathy

The Road to Super Bowl XLIX--Panthers vs. Seahawks

Good afternoon from chilly NYC! I think most of the country is in a deep freeze this week, as well as many parts of the world. Places that normally don't get snow are being blanked with the white stuff. We're lucky we're not in the Midwest. They are experiencing subzero temperatures, which are keeping the schools closed.

We continue our Super Bowl series with our next Saturday game--Panthers vs. Seahawks at CenturyLink Field. Seattle and Carolina have met each other eight times during both regular and post season play. The Seahawks lead by a wide margin (6-2). Panthers quarterback Cam Newton has struggled against the Seahawks and needs to step up his game if the Panthers want to win. However, the Panthers have successfully held running back Marshawn Lynch to an average of 63.3 yards in three games.

When it comes to throwing a Super Bowl party, simple finger food is always best.  The Party Idea of the Day is a hot dog bar, courtesy of the blog My Confetti Crush. The bar features all sorts of chili toppings.

A popcorn bar is always good, too. This old-fashioned rustic popcorn bar is featured on the blog Hostess with the Mostess.

Super Bowl Fun Fact of the Day: Beer remains the #1 consumed beverage for the Big Game, followed by soda and carbonated water.

Today's birthdays include: Marcus Scribner (15), Liam Aiken (25), Dustin Diamond (38), Jeremy Renner (44), Nicolas Cage (51), Hallie Todd (53), David Marciano (55), Katie Couric (58), David Caruso (59), Marshall Chapman (66), Kenny Loggins (67), and William Peter Blatty (87).

Holidaze: OMG, it's National Bobblehead Day! Did you know there is a Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum?  Neither did I. They are looking for support on Kickstarter. I also didn't know bobbleheads have been around for over 100 years.The most famous bobbleheads of all time aren't those of sports figures, but the Fab Four themselves.

It's also National Tempura Day. I love tempura, especially the vegetable variety, but I can only have it occasionally.

We are off to see Louis CK at the Garden tonight. I've seen him twice and he never fails to keep us laughing.

Our "Road to the Super Bowl" series continues tomorrow and Friday. This weekend, I will be discussing our expanded Bridal and Wedding shop section at the shop. I would like to take this time to thank my husband Matthew for his research skills and patience. Matthew's background in research and fact-checking have helped me with the facts and trivia I need to create many of the items you see at Printastic Party Games.

Have a PRINTASTIC day!

Kathy