As two self-proclaimed "ski bunnies," we are thrilled that ski season is upon us. It's time to plan your trip to the slopes, so here is the Funspired scoop on our five favorite spots in the mountains:

TAOS - One of the best things about living in the Texas Panhandle is being within driving distance of the slopes! The amazing terrain makes this mountain seem three times the size. They don't have snow just yet, but Mother Nature will take care of that soon, keep checking their website for a snow report. Only a 5 hour drive, Taos is known for it's expert terrain, but is also great for beginners as well. Be sure not to miss El Monte Sagrado Resort (in town, 25 miles to mountain, but worth it) or if you want to stay on the mountain - we love the suites at the Bavarian Lodge, and their Austrian cuisine is a hot spot for lunch or dinner.

Deer Valley in Utah gets top honors in Ski Magazine's list (five years and counting) - and we know why! Friendly mountain helpers in green jackets are everywhere you look just waiting to help out and make your ski experience the best. Southwest has easy flights through Denver and you can land in Salt Lake City and be on the mountain in no time. There are so many great places to stay, but our favorites are renting a condo with ResortQuest or the fancy St. Regis (a must - ride the "funicular" up to your room) or Montage Hotels won't disappoint!

Aspen / Snowmass is hard to beat, your lift ticket covers four amazing mountains: Aspen, Aspen Highlands, Buttermilk and Snowmass (and if you rent skis from Four Mountain Sports, they will transfer your equipment to the mountain of your choice overnight free of charge). If you are looking for great skiing with the kids - then look no further than Snowmass, it is an amazing family mountain. Lessons at The Treehouse are loads of fun for the kiddos and check out the new Viceroy Snowmass for top notch accommodations. The city of Aspen is tres chic - where else can you ski the slopes then hit Gucci, Prada and Ralph Lauren in one day? Two restaurants not to miss: Ajax Tavern apres' ski and Matsuhisa Aspen for sushi.

Telluride ranked most charming of the ski resorts by Ski Magazine! A short flight to Telluride airport or nearby Montrose (lots of shuttles available) it is a ski va-cay you'll never forget! The new Hotel Madeline is offering tons of stay & ski discounts that will tempt you. The 2011 Snowboard World Cup will be held in a couple weeks (December 14-17) don't miss your chance to check out the competition! Allred's restaurant is one of our favorites - experience fine dining at 10,551 feet above sea level or Giuseppe's on the mountain for a casual lunch with the best chili overlooking views of the La Sal Mountains in Utah!

Wolf Creek is the last family owned mountain in Colorado. It is located in the beautiful San Juan Mountains and gets an insane 465" of snow each year! This year while snow is scarce other spots - Wolf Creek opened to skiers in early October and already has a year to date snowfall of 113 inches!!! Another great aspect? The price: Lift tickets are $54 for adults and $29 for Seniors and Children. Lodging is all in Pagosa Springs Colorado (a short 15 minute drive from the slopes) and we love JJ's Riverwalk Restaurant and Alley House Grille for dining.

To get ready for your trip, make sure to head over to local favorite Hill's Sport Shop to look and ski your best,as well as CD Ski and Sports in Wolflin Village.

Be sure to check out the expert's list at Ski Magazine and hit the slopes!

Your fun friends,

Susan and Farrar

Happy Thanksgiving! We are sending you your weekly fun a day early this week so you can enjoy your family time tomorrow. If you want to impress everyone, check out these Thanksgiving fun facts. Eat up and Be Thankful!

Fun things to do in Amarillo this week:

TROT

Join the Lone Star Runner's Club for a Thanksgiving day Turkey Trot 5K race tomorrow morning at Thompson Park. The perfect way to have some fun with family and friends and burn some calories before the big feast. Registration info here.

TURKEY DAY TV

Some of our favorite TV specials air over the Thanksgiving holiday. Be sure to tune in!

Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade: 9am-Noon on NBC (Also, to celebrate 85 years of this great parade, NBC will air a special from 9-10pm that looks back over the years - sounds fun!)

A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving: 7-8pm on ABC

The Thanksgiving rivalry game between the Texas Longhorns and the Aggies from Texas A&M has lasted more than a century. This series ends tomorrow with the departure of the Aggies to the SEC. Tune in at 7PM CST on ESPN to see who gets the last bragging rights.

Cowboy's Football: This year's game is against Miami and kicks off at 3:15pm on CBS

A Very Gaga Thanksgiving: 8:30-10pm on ABC - In this TV special, Lady Gaga opens up about her background, her inspiration and more, plus some great performances - if you're a fan, don't miss it!

BLACK FRIDAY

Retailers are pulling out all the stops this year to get shoppers busting down the doors for great deals on Black Friday. In fact, many stores are opening late on Thursday night to start their specials early. Here are some of the highlights: Toys R Us opens at 9pm on Thursday - Wal-mart opens at 10pm on Thursday - Best Buy opens at 12am Friday - Target opens at 12am Friday - For more opening information, click here. Or... if the lines and crowds of Black Friday don't get you excited, you could head over to NEST on 6th Street for their "Relax Friday" event - they will have live music, hot cider and some good discounts if you feel like shopping...

MUSIC IS ART

After all that turkey, you'll be ready to get out and have some fun, right? Head over to Process Art House, Amarillo's newest and finest art gallery, for their first listening room event featuring Rodney Branigan with special guest Mike Fuller. Doors open at 7pm. Tickets $10. Call 681-4337 for reservations - more info here. If you can't make it for this great event, stop by the gallery before December 5th to enjoy the current exhibit "Cirque Echo" by artist Tamara Robertson - it is really worth the visit!

Also, the online store we linked for the Swiss Army USB/keychain on our Holiday Guide is sold out. Try this link. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Your fun friends,

Susan and Farrar

Believe it or not, it's time to start thinking about your holiday gifts... and we're here to make your shopping EASY this year. We've scoped out all the coolest items, so your gifts will be sure to impress! Here's the Funspired Scoop:

FOR THE GUYS

- Have you EVER seen a cooler USB drive? It is waterproof, a key chain and holds up to 1,550 pictures. Victornox Swiss Army USB Flash Memory Drive. $35

- Spoil your man with a custom shirt from J. Hilburn. Hundreds of gorgeous fabrics and all custom-tailored to fit your guy perfectly. You can even chose from various collar, cuffs and hemlines. Contact Maggie Velky at 806-677-3379 for more information.

- Technology is always a great choice for the man in your life - we don't know what any of us did without our iPad's! Now with this handy cover, you can easily turn your iPad2 into a laptop with this docking keyboard cover for only $100.

FOR THE GALS

- A CLUTCH purse - we just love them, and best news for Santa - you don't have to know her size! Accessories make or break an outfit, and we love these statement clutches. Three of our fav's are the Lily metallic snakeskin clutch by Tori Burch, any clutch by Elaine Turner available locally at Et Cetera (but we LOVE this Bella Zig Zag clutch) and the Maria snakeskin clutch by Presmer. (check out Presmer's website - tons of great snakeskin accessories - including a fab cuff bracelet and iPad cover too!)

- The brilliant Tom Ford recently launched a much anticipated cosmetics line. Along with that, two fabulous fragrances. Santal Blush and Jasmin Rouge. Let her be one of the first in Amarillo with one of the hottest scents. He has also launched 48 lip colors, they are amazing - Oprah says they are a must!

- Whoever came up with these great gloves is a genius!!! They have heat conductors in the forefinger and thumb pad so that they work on your touch screen devices. They come in tons of colors and styles in cashmere for the ladies and also in black and grey for the guys! Found locally at Raffkinds!

FOR THE KIDS

- For the youngins' check out the ybike pewi - this great ride 0n is perfect for ages 1-3 years and will keep your kiddos entertained for hours at a time. Plus, it's great-looking design won't hurt your eyes like some of the other toys. This award-winner is available at Et Cetera while supplies last.

- Your children (and you!) will love the look of these colorful watchbands from HEX. The perfect way to have your ipod nano on hand at all times for music, movies, and more. Plus, it protects your ipod and works great for telling time! (must purchase ipod nano separately)

- These sparkly TOMS shoes are just what your little ones need to spruce up their wardrobe. They are super comfy, durable and best of all, with every purchase, TOMS donates a pair of shoes to a child in need. Help Janey's at 2500 reach their goal of selling 400 pairs of TOMS this year!

FOR EVERYONE

- Gray is Grey has oodles of great gifts for all of your family and friends. These "kitchen" items - from left, colander, wine stoppers, and decanter - are so cool, you may want to take them home for yourself.

- One of our favorite online spots Dabney Lee at Home offers up customizable colorful preppy gifts. They have everything from lucite trays, ice buckets and adorable picture frames to paper placements, playing cards and even monogrammed wall art. Don't miss their amazing iphone covers!

- Want to help out a friend who's bag always weighs 51 pounds and pays extra baggage fees? Give them this pint-sized travel scale created to weigh luggage on the "fly." $35 at Neiman Marcus.

- Give the gift of FUNSPIRED! Spread the fun by getting all of your friends and family signed up for our twice weekly emails. Not only is it an awesome, thoughtful gift, but it's also FREE!! And LIKE us on Facebook, too!

If you need more inspiration, we've found these other great holiday guides online:

Emily Henderson * Gwenyth's GOOP * Daily Candy's Top Gifts and Giftable Gadgets

Your fun friends,

Susan and Farrar

Fun things to do in Amarillo this week:

SHOP UNTIL YOU DROP

With the holidays just around the corner, your local shops are gearing up for their busiest season. Don't miss out some fabulous early-bird specials during these fun events:

- Wolflin Village Open House - Tonight from 4pm to 8pm at Wolflin Avenue and Georgia. LOTS of specials, including... 20% off storewide at Et Cetera, Panache, JBS, J. Winston, Collections, and Tobacco Leaf Boutique; 25% off at M. Elly's; 10% off at Top Notch and Marcella Furs; and SO much more! Carolers from St. Stephen's Methodist Church, snacks and beverages. Invitation with more details here: page 1 and page 2.

- Wolflin Square Holiday Open House - Tonight from 2pm to 8pm at I-40 and Georgia. Santa will be at the Peppermint Garden from 5-8pm. Treasure Hunt benefitting the High Plains Food Bank - bring 3 cans to participate. Refreshments, fun, and lots of excitement... including 20% off everything at Little Brown House and a holiday art show at The Colony.

- Discovery Center Sip & Shop - Let the kids play while you get a head start on your holiday shopping! Children ages 2-11 will enjoy supervised exploration, hands on fun and snacks - each child will even come home with a wrapped hand-made gift. This event is FREE for members and include wine, coffee, and chocolate!

THE TREE

This Friday, November 18th: Center City, the Amarillo Public Library and the Parks and Recreation Department are teaming up to welcome the 65-foot U.S. Capitol Christmas tree to Amarillo. Come to the Downtown Amarillo Public Library from 4-6pm to see the tree as it makes its way from California to Washington, D.C. Mayor Harpole, Santa and the Golden Spread Chorus will all be there - plus lots of holiday activities for the kiddos. More info here.

ROCK MEETS ORCHESTRA

Don't miss one of the highlights of the Amarillo Symphony's season as they present Get Back! Music of the Beatles at 8PM November 18th & 19th at the Globe News Center for the Performing Arts. This combination of iconic classic rock music with the professional mastery of the symphony conducted by Maestro Kimbo Ishii-Eto will be spectacular. Click here or call 376-8782 for tickets, only $20-40 per person.

NUTCRACKER BALL

Join the Lone Star Ballet Guild as they present the Land of Sweets 2011 Nutcracker Ball! This is a special family-friendly gala that will be the perfect way to kick off your holiday season. Seated dinner at the Amarillo Civic Center, parents can dance to the tunes of "Insufficient Funds" while kids enjoy the supervised craft and game area! Formal Holiday Attire. Call 372-2463 or click here for more info.

ORDER UP!

If you read our FunFeature piece on holiday cooking last week and you decided the "to go" Thanksgiving dinner was the best idea...then you're in luck because we just found out one of our favorite local restaurants BL Bistro is offering several feasts for pick up. Orders are due by November 21st for pick up on Wednesday, November 23rd. Click here for more details, and then call 355-7838 to order.

Another great opportunity to get a cooked bird... donate $100 to the Southwest AMBUCS as part of their Gobble Wobble event. Not only will you receive a smoked turkey from Edes for your family, but you'll also be donating one to a family in need. Click here for information on ordering and pick up (this Saturday).

HOLIDAY TUBE

Check out this list of all the Holiday TV specials. You're kids (and you) will be entertained for the next six weeks with Christmas fun!

Also, if you want to check out a race of epic proportions - head out to the Palo Duro Canyon on Saturday at 10AM for the Mountain Bike Marathon. The riders will challenge themselves on highly technical terrain by riding either one, two or three laps of the 17 mile course!

Your fun friends,

Susan and Farrar

We love you guys, but let's be honest: you are not the best about safeguarding your health! So, in honor of "Movember" and in an effort to increase awareness on men's health issues, we have compiled a schedule of recommended screenings and advice on how to improve your health.

HEART HEALTH

Blood Pressure - Once a man reaches the age of 18, he should have his blood pressure checked. If normal (less than 140/90) then he should recheck yearly, if above that range then recheck in one to two months.

Cholesterol - This blood test can help you evaluate your risk of heart disease - find out Total, LDL "bad" and HDL "good" cholesterol. Beginning at age 20, men should be tested every five years assuming results are within desirable ranges. (more frequent testing recommended if there is a family history of heart disease) A healthy LDL level is below 130 mg/dL, HDL of above 40 mg/dL.

EKG (Electrocardiogram) - Men older than 35 should start having this test every 5 years. An EKG is performed to detect evidence of hardening of the heart's arteries.

Stress Test - Suggested at age 50 (unless a strong family history of heart disease exists) - it is used to detect existing heart disease.

CANCER PREVENTION

Prostate - PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) is often high in men with prostate cancer. It is measured wtih a simple blood test. Recently the government task force USPSTF downgraded the PSA blood test screening in men. (the same gov task force that started a firestorm when they downgraded the use of mammograms in 2009) This opinion was met with criticism from physicians and you can read a letter from the President of the American Urological Association supporting the PSA exam in men. Urologists recommend PSA screening in men starting at the age of 40. We say listen to the doctors.

Colon - Screening begins at age 50, but may be recommended earlier if there is a family history of colon cancer. The American Cancer Society recommends that men have an annual stool test to look for evidence of blood. Colonoscopy is a test that looks at the entire length of the colon and needs to be done every 10 years starting at age 50 says the ACS.

Testicular Exam - Testicular cancer is the most common malignancy among American men between the ages of 15 - 35. It is usually curable especially when detected early. A monthly self-exam can be performed (looking for lumps) or a physician can examine during a routine physical.

HEALTHY CHOICES: After following the above guidelines, here are obvious things men can do to improve their health.

* Don't smoke. Quit NOW if you do. Using any type of tobacco products puts you on a collision course with cancer, heart disease and erectile dysfunction.

* Be physically active. 30 minutes of exercise 5 days a week. Click here for a great link to Men's Health magazine.

* Nutrition 101 - www.eatright.org - put your diet under the microscope.

* H2O. You know the drill - 8 x 8oz glasses a day minimum. A new study showed that men who did this throughout the day (not all at once!) reduced their risk of stroke by 53%. Water is a natural blood thinner so makes it less likely you'll form clots. Also, water prevents kidney stones and aids weight loss.

* Don't be a booze hound! Drink moderately (no more than 2 drinks a day). If you are in a festive mood and drinking alcohol, try alternating a glass of water with a lime with your drink - it will slow you down and keep you hydrated.

* Commit to sleeping 6-8 hours each night. Click here for 10 tips.

* Eye Exams - Men 20-60 should have an eye exam every 2-3 years, after 60 you should have your eyes checked every year.

* Stretch! Beat lower back pain and start your day with a stretch. Before you get out of bed, lie on your back and bring each knee in to your chest and clasp your ankle, hold for 10 count and then do both legs together.

* Wear sunscreen every day - don't forget the back of your neck and ears.

* Smile - it releases endorphins which helps your body deal with stress.

* Know your T LEVEL - 40% of men over 40 will suffer from Low Testosterone and most go undiagnosed. A healthy testosterone level is key to men's wellness. Click here for a questionnaire, if you answer yes to more than 2, you should get screened for Low T.

Most of all, enjoy life, be happy and count your blessings. Stay healthy guys!

Your fun friends,

Susan and Farrar

Fun things to do in Amarillo this week:

CHRISTMAS?

Yes - it is only 44 days away! Head over to Gray is Grey tonight (1408 SW 15th) and join them for a Christmas Open House. 5 - 7:30pm, all Christmas decor will be 20% off - and they have beautiful ornaments, greenery etc. Live music and libations will get you in the festive mood...

And, the kiddos will be excited to hear that Santa is going to be at Et Cetera this Saturday, November 12th. Photos with Santa by photographer Chriselda 10:30am-4:30pm. Call 358-2333 for an appointment.

YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN

The first show of the 2011-12 Broadway Spotlight Series is Mel Brooks' musical Young Frankenstein. From creators of the record-breaking Broadway sensation The Producers, you will love this monster of a new musical comedy! Shows will be Wednesday, November 16th and Thursday, November 17th. Click here to purchase tickets.

CELEBRATE OUR VETS

In honor of all veterans both past and present that have sacrificed to preserve our American way of life - celebrate Veterans Day this Friday, November 11th. From 11-1pm the Texas Panhandle War Memorial Foundation will host a free gathering at the War Memorial Site 94101 S. Georgia next to the Randall County Annex. For more information, call 674-0495. Thank you to all veterans for your service to our country.

HUNT

Get your HUNT on! Come join us for the Annual Hunt Dinner benefitting Amarillo Botanical Gardens this Saturday night hosted at Betsy and Bryan Kelley's home 2400 S. Lipscomb at 6:30-10:30pm. This year's event won't disappoint with the best buffet of tenderloin, quail and dove, plus local musical talent Andy Chase will provide the tunes. $50 pp. Call 352-6513 for ticket information.

REAL RODEO

The 16th Annual Working Ranch Cowboys Association (WRCA) World Championship Ranch Rodeo will take place today through Sunday at the Civic Center. In addition to the rodeo events, enjoy a free trade show, art show and junior rodeo each day. Not to mention the Budweiser world famous Clydesdales will be there! More details here.

PLAN AHEAD FUN

- WILLIE! Buy your tickets now to see Willie Nelson perform at the Amarillo Civic Center January 5, 2012.

:-D Also, if you know of a deserving child that would benefit from the gift of free orthodontic work, click here and find out more about a special new program in Amarillo called Smile 4 A Lifetime. Founded by Dr. Anthony Harwell, Jr. and assisted by a local board of directors: the goal is to give the gift of a new smile! Deadline is December 1st for applicants.

Your fun friends,

Susan and Farrar

With Thanksgiving only 2 1/2 weeks away, it's time to start thinking about your family's festive feast! We don't want our fun readers stressing out about all the preparations, so we've put together some tips and ideas for a fabulous holiday meal that is simple to make and sure to impress. Here's the Funspired scoop on holiday cooking:

TURKEY

Get the "griller" in your household to take on the bird this year. We recommend one of these great preparations:

- Smoked Turkey - Stuff your thawed turkey with apple, orange, celery, and onion. Then, season the outside with lemon pepper and salt. Make a good smoking fire and have some type of liquid over the fire. Put the turkey to the side of the fire, and lightly coat the turkey with maple syrup every 15-20 minutes for the first hour, and then every hour until done. The turkey will turn black, but don't let it fool you - the flavor is inside!

- Beer Butt Turkey - Just like the popular beer butt chicken, but use a BIG can of beer (like Foster's) for your BIG bird. This preparation produces a juicy tender turkey and can be customized to your favorite flavor profile. Here is one example that uses as nice dark porter.

- Switch It Up - Throw the gang for a loop by substituting the turkey with a grilled rack of lamb, beef tenderloin, large fillet of salmon or your "specialty" on the grill. Holiday meals are all about time spent together with family enjoying delicious fare - but you certainly don't have to eat the same boring food every year!

SIDES

Chose one item from each category - no need to overdo it! And be sure to delegate - everyone will love getting to help with the preparations.

- Stuffing - Make it your own this year. Start with your usual basic bread stuffing (like this easy one), then add in your own flair. Some of our favorite combinations: Chorizo & Almond, Tomato & Olive, Bacon & Brie, Cherry & Pecan, or Mushroom & Sage. Let your creativity shine in this dish!

- Cranberry Sauce - This simple recipe with citrus juices is from one of our readers. Thanks, Kate!

- Potatoes - Roasted: Buy a variety of potatoes (Yukon gold, red, purple, sweet) and cut them all into 1" cubes. Combine with chopped onion, rosemary, olive oil and salt and pepper. Bake at 350 until tender. Easy and so delicious. Pureed: There's nothing better than mashed potatoes. Jazz yours up this year with these tasty add-ins: For your white potatoes, mix in some cauliflower, parsnips, or celery root and finish with fresh herbs, truffle oil or caramelized onions. For your sweet potatoes, mix in some carrots or winter squash and finish with maple syrup, candied pecans or honey mustard. Baked: Bake your potatoes (or microwave them) whole, then set up a toppings bar so everyone can make their own magic.

- Greenery - Salad: Fresh lettuce, avocado, sweet peas, feta, pine nuts, and a lovely vinaigrette. Simple and delicious. Saute: Chose a hearty leaf vegetable such as kale or broccoli rabe. Remove the center vein, chop coarsely, and saute with garlic and olive oil. Or, blanch some brussel sprouts or asparation, then saute with salt, pepper and a little butter. Soup: Nothing better than warm soup on a cold day, and Popeye would even approve of this one! This green soup is creamy without any cream - what could be better?

- More - Winter Squash is easy to prepare, hearty to eat, and so good for you. Bake it with brown sugar for a tasty side (like this recipe for acorn squash). Bread: Whip up some Pumpkin Bread, Cheesy Beer Bread or Mini Cornbread Puddings. Beans: White beans sauteed with bacon and chopped tomato will add a Tuscan flair to your meal.

DESSERT

This course is perfect to make ahead of time and just heat up on the big day. Don't go overboard, just chose one and serve it a la mode with some fresh berries. Some of our favorites: Pumpkin Crisp, Chocolate Pecan Pie, or Apple Cranberry Pandowdy. Or, this last one is a little more complex, but boy does it sound worth it... Maple Cheesecake with Roasted Pears. YUM!

ON THE WEB

If you want some more help planning your meal, check out one of these great online resources: Cooking Light, Everyday Food, Food Network, and Rachael Ray. They also have some great ideas for your leftovers!

EASY OUT

Sometimes it's just better to order your food so you can enjoy the holiday worry-free. One of our favorites for ordering a turkey is Greenberg Smoked Turkey out of Tyler Texas, delivered UPS. Also, these local places have great to-go options for your holiday feasts: Honey Crust Hams (806-354-9898), Edes Custom Meats, and Cattle Call.

Your fun friends,

Susan and Farrar

Fun things to do in Amarillo this week:

CANDY BUY BACK

Did your little ones get a bit tooooooo much candy Monday night? Seriously people, just say NO to the ring pops and M&M's! Amarillo Pediatric Dentistry has an amazing plan to buy back your kiddos candy loot for $2.oo a pound and then send that awesome sugary stuff overseas to our troops. (and save the kid's teeth in the meantime). November 3rd 3-6PM 2455 I40 West. Click here for more information.

CHRISTMAS PREP

Christmas Roundup 2011 starts tonight with a Girl's Night Out event from 6:30-9:00pm $20 tickets, good for re-entry all weekend. This annual shopping event will feature over 80 vendors in the South Exhibit Hall of the Civic Center. Shopping hours are Friday & Saturday 10am-6pm $5 admission.

KATY GREY

Check out the amazing jewelry creations of Katy Grey at a trunk show today at Et Cetera in Wolflin Village. The show will run from 11am-4pm - perfect gifts for the gals in your life or just a treat for yourself!

GROTH

Macaroni Joe's is hosting a wine tasting featuring selections from Groth Vineyards of Oakville, CA. The event is next Tuesday, November 8th at 7pm. Enjoy five delicious wine and food pairings at this fun occasion! Call 358-8990 for reservations.

FOR THE MOMS

If you're a mom, you won't want to miss the Mom... and Loving It! Conference at the South Georgia Baptist Church this Saturday. Laurie Hilliard and Sharon Autry will encourage and inspire you as you learn to face the challenges of motherhood all while enjoying every moment. Check out their website here. Call 806-372-6665 for more information.

And don't forget Daylight Savings time ends on Sunday which means we get one more hour of sleep on Saturday night!

Your fun friends,

Susan and Farrar