Tuesday, June 25, 2013
Tuesday, June 18, 2013
Sunday, June 16, 2013
TV Loves and Hates: June 16, 2013
Disclaimer: I tend to be fairly behind on my tv watching. Even so, consider the fact that there could be spoilers ahead if you're even further behind than I am. You read at your own risk!
**Snow White is seriously badass. I like her more and more. (Once Upon a Time)
**"You helped me remember why I don't trust people. Because people disappoint. They fail you." -- Megan Hunt (Body of Proof, series finale)
**What an ending to the fourth season of The Good Wife! Of *course* they lead everyone to believe that clandestine meeting at the apartment was going be of the romantic sort. When that door opened on Cary, I had to hold back from screeching, because it was late and T was sleeping.
**Excellent intrigue on The Mentalist "Red and Itchy" (ep 21). I am dying to know what was in that box that was stolen from LaRoche and why he is in possession of it! I wonder if we'll ever find out.
**Great season finale for The Mentalist. I have a theory that differs a bit from the general consensus on where this is going, but I'll get to that in my television season recap.
**The look on Sue Ellen's face when the Governor tried to insult her after she poured a drink in his office and she triumphantly placed the glass on his desk and told him it was for him, not her. (Dallas, ep 14)
**Molly fighting with her umbrella was funny as heck, but the best part of Mike and Molly's season finale? The fact that they left no cliffhanger, given the "trying to have a baby" theme the whole season has been under.
**Belle as Lacey. Blech. (Once Upon a Time)
**Peter Pan officially creeps me out now that Bae was dropped in the Darlings' nursery with Wendy and her brothers. (Once Upon a Time, ep 21)
**Everything to do with Mike's mother's...bedroom preferences. I will never get those mental images out of my head, thank you very much, Mike and Molly writers! (ep 23)
**Revolution keeps taking two steps forward and one step back. All that business going on inside The Tower is all just a little...much. (ep 19)
Tuesday, June 11, 2013
Tuesday, June 4, 2013
Saturday, June 1, 2013
Snapshot from Along the Broken Road: May 2013
A photo of me:
Hooligans in the Trevi Fountain in the Italy pavilion at Epcot!
1) Candle scents* this month:
Blueberry Scone. Clean Cotton. Bunny Cake. Vanilla Cupcake. Meadow Showers. Midnight Jasmine.
2) What I am reading this month (you can find me on Goodreads!):
In case you didn't count ahead in great anticipation, I read *five* books in May! That puts me a whopping two books *ahead* of target for my 2013 reading challenge! Go me! I started by finishing up Formula for Murder (Diana Orgain) - Quick and easy, but I had no idea who the culprit was until the reveal, although it made total sense in retrospect. This was the most recently published book in this series. I hope there will be more at some point. Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder (Joanna Fluke) - This was a new-to-me series. Definitely of the "cozy mystery" genre. I like the main characters and cozy mysteries are fun and light to read. I like when I have a enough information to guess the "who" but not the "why." This one delivered. There was also a bonus novella included. A bit sappy but, since the series is new for me, I liked the extra opportunity to get further acquainted with the recurring characters. Blockade Billy (Stephen King) - This one was loaned to me from one of my friends. It was definitely dark (which I expected, given the author), but not especially creepy. The bonus novella, "Morality," was little disturbing though, at least for my tastes. Murder Under Cover (Kate Carlisle) - Probably one of my favorite cozy mystery series and this one was my favorite yet! I didn't want to put it down the whole time. Shadow Waltz (Amy Patricia Meade) - The third in, what appears to be, a four-book mystery series. These are light and fun, set during The Great Depression, and the characters make me laugh. I am looking forward to the next book, but sad, knowing it will be the final one. And sneaking in just under the wire, started in the dwindling minutes of May 31, Murder on Capitol Hill (Margaret Truman) - This is the second of her murder mystery series set in the country's capitol, but that's as much as I can share, since I am only a couple of chapters in.
3) Three things on my mind:
1. This quote is resonating with me: "As a mom, it is critical that I teach them both the value of balance and that relationships come first." (from Top of the Page "Teachable Moment: Staying Connected") I'm not a mom, but I couldn't agree more with her belief that it is important to learn young about balancing the commitments in your life with downtime, work and play, activity and calm, and that above all, your relationships must come first, because they require work and attention and dedication--and there must be balance within them as well, time to think of yourself and time to think outside yourself to the needs of the other person.
2. Friendship. What it takes and what to do when friends disappoint you.
3. Donuts. (Hey, they can't all be deep and meaningful thoughts!)
4) Movies I saw:
No movies. Red Sox games and backlogged DVR.
5) Calendar image for the month:
I can almost feel the cool spring breeze gently moving through the flowering trees.
There is just nothing about Fenway that doesn't make me happy. This calendar was a great idea.
6) New recipes tried this month:
Chicken Parmesan. Fresh Basil Pesto. Capellini Pomodoro with Sausage. Roasted Parmesan Cauliflower (needs tweaking). Italian Crockpot Chicken with Noodles (too bland, not a keeper). Seafood Chowder (this was rich and very seafood-y; we agreed that it was a once-every-six-months-to-a-year sort of meal).
7) Restaurants where I ate:
Bob Evans - we went out for breakfast once this month. That's it.
8) Five things I am loving this month:
1. Realizing how much I had missed reading. I'm so glad I challenged myself to get back to doing so regularly!
2. Now that we're a couple months into the season, I can officially say I am thrilled with the free agent signings the Red Sox made during the off season (Mike Napoli, Stephen Drew, Joel Hanrahan, Mike Carp, Shane Victorino, David Ross, Johnny Gomes, Ryan Dempster). It's been a long, long time since I could say that across the board!
3. Twitter conversations with Chele regarding our mutual (and clearly undying) love of the television show "Friends."
4. I put a pop-up reminder on my work computer to get up once an hour. It's way too easy to find yourself sitting from clock-in til clock-out when you have a desk job. getting up and moving around, or even just standing at my desk while I work, makes a huge difference in how sleepy I feel as the work day goes along, especially in my post-lunch haze (the natural low-point in my energy level).
5. We're starting to get into Florida's rainy season which means we get to shut off the sprinklers sometimes! I bet by mid June we will have them off more than they are on! (We are allowed to water our lawns/landscaping twice per week and given how warm we get here, the green things require it, especially during the dry season.)
9) Three goals I had this month and three goals for next month:
1. Flip through all the current issues of my magazines, plus at least three more from The Stack. (Done, baby! All the new June issues have been enjoyed, plus four old issues from The Stack!)
2. Scan 25 more old photos. (None. ::sigh::)
3. Move my sweaters to the cedar-lined chest and find a more permanent home for my boxed wedding gown. (Sweaters moved into the chest, dress tucked away, *and* the guest room is "open for business"!)
1. Go through all the July issues of my magazines as they come in and get at least five old issues from Tha Stack into recycling.
2. Get caught up on the DVR.
3. Make something using my lovely KitchenAid mixer! I see her sitting there, in all her cherry red glory. She needs her maiden voyage!
10) This month I looked forward to:
Honestly? Having it end. May 2013 kicked my butt, emotionally.
11) Something I want to be thankful for this month:
A husband who listens to me, who takes care of me, who makes me laugh and feel loved.
12) A photo I took this month:
Technically perfect? No. Makes me laugh? Absolutely. There isn't a more perfect representation of the silliness that goes on inside our house almost every day.
*All scents are Yankee Candle, unless otherwise noted.
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
Sunday, May 26, 2013
TV Loves and Hates: May 26, 2013
Disclaimer: I tend to be fairly behind on my tv watching. Even so, consider the fact that there could be spoilers ahead if you're even further behind than I am. You read at your own risk!
**I had my doubts, both throughout the season and even during the episode, but the season finale of 2 Broke Girls actually pleasantly surprised me. That may be the most non-robotic acting I've seen out of The Joker Max since the series premiere.
**Cam and Mitchell at Lily's gymnastics meet and Gloria and Jay's snooping were some of the most amusing bits I can remember in recent Modern Family history. (ep 23)
**Sue skipping school was hilarious because I found it so easy to relate to it. When she finds out she missed a fun assembly *and* free ice cream? I think I actually felt her pain. (The Middle, ep 23)
**Even if it felt forced, trying to cram it all into one half hour segment, I thought Rules of Engagement had a very satisfying series finale. Timmy and Russell made me roll my eyes, but at least Jennifer and Adam are finally married and Jeff and Audrey's baby was actually born. Audrey telling Jeff she was pregnant was an unexpected but sweet way to wrap the show up.
**Irene: Well, you're not boring at all, are you. Sherlock: I make every effort not to be. -- Such a fabulous exchange! (Elementary, ep 23)
**Cam: Please. It's Florida. If I want to sweat more, I'll just move my arms. -- Unless you live in Florida, you have no idea how true this is. And you know how it goes: It's funny because it's true. (Modern Family, ep 24)
**Amy-from-Parenthood guest starring on Law and Order: SVU (ep 20) and absolutely nailed it.
**The *flight attendant* set off the sequence of events and the *husband* was the drug runner?! I did NOT see that coming, Body of Proof! (ep 11)
**I seem to be in the minuscule minority but I *love* who they chose for "The Mother"! She is sweet and just the kind of girl I could see Ted falling for. I can't wait to see how the final season plays out! (How I Met Your Mother, ep 24)
**That speech Lily gave Ted in his completed house. Just the sort of pep-talk we need from our closest friends when we're so close to giving up. (How I Met Your Mother, ep 24)
**The season finale of The Big Bang Theory just didn't impress me all that much. I realize it's a sitcom but still. There were regular episodes that were better.
**We're just supposed to start liking Voight and feeling sympathetic toward him now?? I don't know about that. (Chicago Fire, ep 23)
**So. Season finale of Chicago Fire. The Drama Queen of television shows. There is a fire at a prison right as word comes that Hermann's wife goes into labor. Then, just as they receive word that the baby is in distress and Cindy is going into an emergency c-section, Hermann gets taken hostage by a group of inmates that got out of their cells and killed a guard? Of course. How about Shay is waiting for news about her artificial insemination and Severide's ex shows up pregnant? All right then. Mills wants Dawson to tell him she doesn't have feelings for Casey, who just reconciled with his girlfriend who was then murdered in a prescription drug cover-up, but she can't and then he finds out he also didn't make squad? Seriously. All I know is this group of fire fighters makes the gang on Grey's Anatomy look boring in comparison.
Saturday, May 25, 2013
The Girl on the Other Coast: May 25, 2013
Here we go again! Another collaborative post with my west coast friend, G. I am a big fan of snacks and I was curious how the snacks I keep on hand differ from those G reaches for on the west coast. We'll take a look at hers here. Curious what I'm munching on? (Humor me. Pretend you're curious.) Take a virtual voyage to Little Italy and find out!
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I L-O-V-E snacks! I would rather snack all day than have full meals. Seriously. It's a problem.
So when Dawn asked me to list my top 5 favorite snacks I actually had a hard time coming up with a list. Only 5? Shoot...what do I even eat?? (Forgive me, my brain has been mush lately...)
So then I thought about my favorite store. And then I thought about all my favorite treats there. And my list was born!
1. These fruit leathers are delicious! I normally nibble on one in the morning at school. It's just enough to (hopefully) tied me over until lunch. They say unsweetened but are fantastic. I could probably eat 5 a day...but I don't! I need to save room for my other snacks ;)
2. I love popcorn. I have to have it at the movie theater. I always ate it while studying in college. Something about the buttery goodness. And this popcorn? Well, I don't have to pop it...I can't burn it...and it has the perfect butter-to-salt ratio. Winner!
3. I have a serious weakness for chips. I will take salty over sweet any day! Having said that, these are the perfect blend of salty and sweet. The BBQ flavor makes my mouth water. I could easily put away this entire bag in one sitting. In my defense, the bag isn't THAT big. At least that's what I tell myself when I look into and realize there are about 5 chips left. Oops!
4. These are my number 1 favorite chip. They are literally finger licking good. The first time I had these was in the airport in Maui and I fell in love. Mr. Smith will sometimes surprise me and bring home a family size bag of these. Do you think he gets a chance to have any? I don't think so! I don't know what family they are talking about! Get in my belly!
5. My one semi-healthy treat. Trader Joe's yogurt is super creamy and flavorful. My favorites are the peach and mango. I love these alone and I love them in a smoothie. I really dislike milk so this is a good way to get some calcium in me. Especially after all the salty chips!
ps. Yes, I also eat fruits and vegetables.
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(edit to add mine)
I am the Queen of the Snacks. It all started back when I worked in daycare. I became a grazer (and then a good dinner) instead of an eater of three big meals a day. It's modified a bit since then, but I remain a snacker. If you were to dig through my cabinets here, I can almost guarantee you will find all five of these snacks stocked up!
Several years ago, I got myself hooked on Archer Farms Monster Mix from Target. It was becoming an expensive habit, since I was eating it as my mid-morning snack Monday through Friday, so I started buying the ingredients and mixing my own.
I try to keep a healthy-ish snack in my lunch bag for those late afternoon munchies. I will also grab a handful to stave off hunger pangs if dinner is taking too long.
Oh, come on. There was no way I was making it through this list with mostly healthy snacks! After dinner, I need something sweet. M&Ms are just right and they come in so many flavors! Peanut Butter are my favorite, but Pretzel is a good runner-up, and I often have some other seasonal flavor on deck as well. They are a little palmful of happiness.
It gets hot here. And it stays hot here. And sometimes a girl just needs to be cooled off and refreshed.
I think these fall somewhere between healthy and not. These serve so many purposes: they fill a salty craving, they are light enough for when I just need to crunch on something but am not starving, they can calm an unhappy tummy. They *must* be the pretzel sticks though. The tiny ones, not the giant ones.
Hmmmmm... I think I need a snack now that I mention it!
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