Each level in Hidden Expedition: Everest you start off with 3 hints. Find five gems in each place to get an additional hint. Use hints wisely. I recently lost a round and came in last, so I had to start the level over. I decided to change my strategy - or rather implement one- into my game play.

First I go into a level and spend about two minutes looking for gems and objects. Then I go back to the map and try another place. I make the rounds again to each level, hopefully catching a few more objects. If not, I use a couple of hints to try to snag those missed. By visiting each place before using hints I know which places I need to use the most hints.

If I visit a place that I have already looked for hidden objects, then I may only need to use one hint as opposed to the brand new location that has me stumped. This is what caused me to falter in my game was a new place. I used up all of my hints on the other places just hoping to finish them faster. I might have been in the middle of cooking or entertaining the baby. Whatever I was doing, I was hoping to finish a couple of places off in my game. Instead I hurt my overall game by using hints when I shouldn’t have.

Use those hints on each level because you can’t take them with you. I had two hints left that didn’t carry over. My hint meter was back at 3. Everest is a lot of fun. Some places are easier than others so get a feel for each place in a new level before using your precious hints.

This has to be my husband’s favorite question lately. “What’s for dinner?” I have a few cookbooks but get tired of looking through countless recipes only to find out I’m missing some ingredients to make the dish. Usually I just stick to the tried and true dishes, which lately get groans and grumbles from the man. I’ve been thinking about going to cooking school. Baychef - URL www.baychef.com/about.asp
is a culinary school. Too bad it’s in California as that would be too much of a commute. Maybe I can find something locally to help me spice up mealtime.

I enjoy cooking but hate grocery shopping. My cooking is just in a rut and needs a change. A new cookbook or a cooking class would definitely help me new ideas for dinnertime.