Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Recipe???
Like I said in my last post, the family oven is still broken, but we'll be fixing it soon. Until then, my family is getting creative with a 12" toaster oven, microwave, and grill. Soon (like next week), I will be making applesauce oatmeal muffins and post some pictures here. Look for them after July 1. That's about it. Short and sweet again (I'm oh so kind)!
Monday, June 25, 2012
Music Monday
Welcome to another installment of "Music Monday"! Today's musical selection is:
"Bach Lullaby" by Trans-Siberian Orchestra.
Favorite Christmas Rock band EVER!!! This is from their newest album, "Night Castle (Disc 2)". All of their CDs have a story, some kind of background that accompanies the songs. The story of this is a little girl goes to a house on a beach and is enjoying her last moments of summer. Late one night, she sees a big sandcastle and goes to explore it, meeting a man. This man then tells the story of his life in the army to the little girl.
At the point where "Bach Lullaby" comes in (if I remember correctly), Tran-Do (said man is now named!) is sneaking back into a prison where a Lieutenant is...unconscious? He goes to rearrange the Lt.'s body, and finds a little wooden music box and takes it.
If you know Bach, then you know this is his Prelude in C Major (book 1 of WTC)! Short and sweet.
You can stop the movie at :55. Enjoy!
"Bach Lullaby" by Trans-Siberian Orchestra.
Favorite Christmas Rock band EVER!!! This is from their newest album, "Night Castle (Disc 2)". All of their CDs have a story, some kind of background that accompanies the songs. The story of this is a little girl goes to a house on a beach and is enjoying her last moments of summer. Late one night, she sees a big sandcastle and goes to explore it, meeting a man. This man then tells the story of his life in the army to the little girl.
At the point where "Bach Lullaby" comes in (if I remember correctly), Tran-Do (said man is now named!) is sneaking back into a prison where a Lieutenant is...unconscious? He goes to rearrange the Lt.'s body, and finds a little wooden music box and takes it.
If you know Bach, then you know this is his Prelude in C Major (book 1 of WTC)! Short and sweet.
You can stop the movie at :55. Enjoy!
Sunday, June 24, 2012
Crazy life happenings
SOOOOO much has happened since I've been home! Where do I begin?
Well, I keep saying how I'm going to post pictures of these cupcakes I'm going to make, but a week ago (or so), Mom was making chicken in the oven and the oven CAUGHT ON FIRE. Mind you, this is a 20-some year old oven, but STILL. She said a flame popped up, then receded, and she saw that the place where the wires meet looked dangerous, like it could catch on fire again, but worse next time. Needless to say, we haven't touched the oven since. Obviously, this puts a damper on pretty much anything I want to bake. We have a small toaster oven and microwave, but that's it. And we'd love to get a new stove/oven, but 1.) Our oven has to be a drop-in--there is an air vent below our oven. 2.) Mom would like to redo the kitchen completely, including getting 2(?) ovens and a microwave, in the wall (like the cool kinds you see on Food Network). I'll do what I can.
Another thing: Our porch roof--again, decades-old porch roof--is falling apart, and we are getting roofers to fix it (and possibly part of the porch). Yay for a new roof!
With all the goings-on around our house, I feel like it's going to be a crazy summer!
Good things have happened, too. Mom is landscaping her rose garden (mentioned in a prev. blog)! It looks really pretty. We now have bricks lining her garden. And in the corner of the rose garden (because we could only fit a brick diagonally to go around the corner) is......BASIL JR. THE BASIL PLANT!!!!!!! Huzzah!!! After 2 basil plants and a few years of it sitting in the kitchen, lil' Basil Jr. is finally planted! He looks quite spiffy.
Another outdoor project I finished was cutting off the drooping branches of our "pin oak" tree. Dad and Bro struggled to get under the branches to mow it, so I cut them down. Woohoo! My next project (which I'm working on today) is trimming the barberry bushes outside our living room window.
Inside, I'm finally managing to get my stuff picked up and put away from college...oh so lazy. Also, I've decided that now that I'm not in school anymore, I have time to focus on flute, so I'm back to teaching myself from the beginning. It feels great to be able to play again for the sheer enjoyment of it.
In terms of my weight loss, it has SORT OF come to a standstill. My problem is this: now that I'm home, I have easy access to all sorts of foods, good and bad. I'm having trouble controlling my urges for bad food. And my body image is suffering greatly. I hate talking bad about myself, but it's hard not to. I am SLOWLY asking my mom to buy more healthy items from my meal plan--that helps. So far, I have bought cheese cubes and dinner rolls (they make good snacks, especially if they are whole wheat). It's hard, but I'm trying my best. And of course, exercise is non-existent (minus working outside).
Wish me luck for a healthy, productive summer. It's going to be a struggle between me, myself, and I.
Any projects you're doing this summer? Any suggestions on how to eat well at home?
Well, I keep saying how I'm going to post pictures of these cupcakes I'm going to make, but a week ago (or so), Mom was making chicken in the oven and the oven CAUGHT ON FIRE. Mind you, this is a 20-some year old oven, but STILL. She said a flame popped up, then receded, and she saw that the place where the wires meet looked dangerous, like it could catch on fire again, but worse next time. Needless to say, we haven't touched the oven since. Obviously, this puts a damper on pretty much anything I want to bake. We have a small toaster oven and microwave, but that's it. And we'd love to get a new stove/oven, but 1.) Our oven has to be a drop-in--there is an air vent below our oven. 2.) Mom would like to redo the kitchen completely, including getting 2(?) ovens and a microwave, in the wall (like the cool kinds you see on Food Network). I'll do what I can.
Another thing: Our porch roof--again, decades-old porch roof--is falling apart, and we are getting roofers to fix it (and possibly part of the porch). Yay for a new roof!
With all the goings-on around our house, I feel like it's going to be a crazy summer!
Good things have happened, too. Mom is landscaping her rose garden (mentioned in a prev. blog)! It looks really pretty. We now have bricks lining her garden. And in the corner of the rose garden (because we could only fit a brick diagonally to go around the corner) is......BASIL JR. THE BASIL PLANT!!!!!!! Huzzah!!! After 2 basil plants and a few years of it sitting in the kitchen, lil' Basil Jr. is finally planted! He looks quite spiffy.
Another outdoor project I finished was cutting off the drooping branches of our "pin oak" tree. Dad and Bro struggled to get under the branches to mow it, so I cut them down. Woohoo! My next project (which I'm working on today) is trimming the barberry bushes outside our living room window.
Inside, I'm finally managing to get my stuff picked up and put away from college...oh so lazy. Also, I've decided that now that I'm not in school anymore, I have time to focus on flute, so I'm back to teaching myself from the beginning. It feels great to be able to play again for the sheer enjoyment of it.
In terms of my weight loss, it has SORT OF come to a standstill. My problem is this: now that I'm home, I have easy access to all sorts of foods, good and bad. I'm having trouble controlling my urges for bad food. And my body image is suffering greatly. I hate talking bad about myself, but it's hard not to. I am SLOWLY asking my mom to buy more healthy items from my meal plan--that helps. So far, I have bought cheese cubes and dinner rolls (they make good snacks, especially if they are whole wheat). It's hard, but I'm trying my best. And of course, exercise is non-existent (minus working outside).
Wish me luck for a healthy, productive summer. It's going to be a struggle between me, myself, and I.
Any projects you're doing this summer? Any suggestions on how to eat well at home?
Friday, June 22, 2012
ABduction--meh...
This is late, but the first movie I rented from the library this summer was "Abduction". Taylor Lautner (of Twilight fame) stars as Nathan, a young teen who seems pretty rebellious, drinking and partying for the first (at least) 5 minutes of the movie. Yes, during the movie, you do see his abs--but not as much as I thought they would show...which wasn't bad, just different than I thought. Lily Collins is his neighbor, Karen, who at first disapproves of him, but learns to love him. They find a website with missing children with Nathan's picture on it. Maria Bello (known for "A History of Violence") plays his adoptive mother and Jason Issacs (of Harry Potter fame--Draco's father) played the adoptive father. After Nathan finds out he's "missing", he and Karen, with the help of a family friend, played by Sigourney Weaver ("Avatar", "Holes"), go on to learn about Nathan's past.
On , it was given a pretty poor review, and sadly, I agree. I don't know if I like the basic concept of the movie...I was slightly confused at some points. But the acting...was flimsy...while Taylor Lautner plays a GREAT werewolf/friend/secret lover/imprinter on babies, he just did not do that well as the true main character in the movie. His acting, when put in the spotlight, is not that good. Lily Collins was not that good, either.
Overall, I agree with Rotten Tomatoes. No one could save this movie...
On , it was given a pretty poor review, and sadly, I agree. I don't know if I like the basic concept of the movie...I was slightly confused at some points. But the acting...was flimsy...while Taylor Lautner plays a GREAT werewolf/friend/secret lover/imprinter on babies, he just did not do that well as the true main character in the movie. His acting, when put in the spotlight, is not that good. Lily Collins was not that good, either.
Overall, I agree with Rotten Tomatoes. No one could save this movie...
Saturday, June 16, 2012
BOOM.
I am posting 2 days in a row, that's right...actually, make that 3. Shame on me.
Yesterday, I didn't post anything about ME, so here it is:
I love the Jonas Brothers, and when I was 18 (that's right, not a screaming little girl), I went to the Jonas Brothers concert in Syracuse, NY, with my best friend, CS. She and I both were obsessed with them, and we decided to travel 8 hours northeast to Syracuse, NY. The boys were performing at the NY State Fair, so before the concert, we walked around the fair and had a blast buying and devouring yummy carnie food!
We sat in the grandstands for the concert, so our vision was slightly strained, but it was worth it! Demi Lovato opened the show, and the JBs (NOT JUSTIN BIEBER EWNO) took over and invited her onstage to sing some songs with them!! It was SOOO GOOD! CS and I were singing along to every word (her better than me).
This is one of my FAVORITE memories from pre-college years!
Be jealous.
PS: BOOM does not equal something slang. BOOM= my family has been hearing weird booms from gosh knows where all day. We figure it's either the quarry, corn guns (only in Sandtown), or some SERIOUS fireworks. Sweet.
Yesterday, I didn't post anything about ME, so here it is:
I love the Jonas Brothers, and when I was 18 (that's right, not a screaming little girl), I went to the Jonas Brothers concert in Syracuse, NY, with my best friend, CS. She and I both were obsessed with them, and we decided to travel 8 hours northeast to Syracuse, NY. The boys were performing at the NY State Fair, so before the concert, we walked around the fair and had a blast buying and devouring yummy carnie food!
We sat in the grandstands for the concert, so our vision was slightly strained, but it was worth it! Demi Lovato opened the show, and the JBs (NOT JUSTIN BIEBER EWNO) took over and invited her onstage to sing some songs with them!! It was SOOO GOOD! CS and I were singing along to every word (her better than me).
This is one of my FAVORITE memories from pre-college years!
Be jealous.
PS: BOOM does not equal something slang. BOOM= my family has been hearing weird booms from gosh knows where all day. We figure it's either the quarry, corn guns (only in Sandtown), or some SERIOUS fireworks. Sweet.
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Quick Blog Update
As I sit here listening to the musing of Adele, I just wanted to give a quick blog-update. I have finally made the switch from Cincy living to Sandtown living, and shtuff is EVERYWHERE... so I know I'll be busy for quite a while with unpacking and moving stuff where I want it back home. I plan on putting up some new pics of a recipe I'm going to try: Flourless Chocolate Cupcakes with Whipped Cream. Check out said pic below. Get excitedandyum.
Also, it seems that everyone has summer plans set out and ready to go. Some have even begun! When I "started" this summer, I had no true plans set, but it seems that a mix of ideas has been swimming around in my brain:
1.) GET A JOB. A PERMANENT ONE. I would love to leave home in August for a real teaching job, moving into an apartment of my own...but for now, that's not happening. :(
2.) Get a summer job! I would like the jobs I got last year: substitute organist around town for random churches...that was so much fun. I've already contacted the church that said I could come back, so fingers crossed!
3.) Go through life's possessions. This is really random, but I love organizing, and my *dream* would be to go through everything I have, deciding whether I REALLY need it or not.
4.) Weed Mom's rose and peony gardens. At least. Mom told me once that the reason she had peony and rose gardens was because they were her father's favorite flowers, and that she loved them, too, and thought of her father when she saw them. I want to make them look really nice this summer.
5.) Plan a family BBQ. I LOVE planning parties. A few summers ago, I planned a "Summer by the Sea" party for my dad's family. I decorated the dining room with a nautical theme, put up old pictures of the family houses in CT, and put out seashells Dad had collected from Cape Cod. The fam LOVED it! This year, I'm hoping to plan an "All-American Fun" party!
6.) READ LIKE CRAZY!! I have FINALLY finished my library of books!!! It only took almost 22.5 years. Now I get to go to the library and check out books all the time. Today, I went and checked out Adele's first CD (which I must say is AWESOME--go check it out!!), the movie "ABduction" with Taylor Lautner, and 2 books-- "Adrenaline" and "Collision" by Jeff Abbott. I have a book by Jeff Abbott--"Trust Me", and I really like it. He writes good suspense-thrillers that usually keep me on the edge of my seat.
That's all for now: I'll keep you updated about my summer plans and how they pan out!
Also, it seems that everyone has summer plans set out and ready to go. Some have even begun! When I "started" this summer, I had no true plans set, but it seems that a mix of ideas has been swimming around in my brain:
1.) GET A JOB. A PERMANENT ONE. I would love to leave home in August for a real teaching job, moving into an apartment of my own...but for now, that's not happening. :(
2.) Get a summer job! I would like the jobs I got last year: substitute organist around town for random churches...that was so much fun. I've already contacted the church that said I could come back, so fingers crossed!
3.) Go through life's possessions. This is really random, but I love organizing, and my *dream* would be to go through everything I have, deciding whether I REALLY need it or not.
4.) Weed Mom's rose and peony gardens. At least. Mom told me once that the reason she had peony and rose gardens was because they were her father's favorite flowers, and that she loved them, too, and thought of her father when she saw them. I want to make them look really nice this summer.
5.) Plan a family BBQ. I LOVE planning parties. A few summers ago, I planned a "Summer by the Sea" party for my dad's family. I decorated the dining room with a nautical theme, put up old pictures of the family houses in CT, and put out seashells Dad had collected from Cape Cod. The fam LOVED it! This year, I'm hoping to plan an "All-American Fun" party!
6.) READ LIKE CRAZY!! I have FINALLY finished my library of books!!! It only took almost 22.5 years. Now I get to go to the library and check out books all the time. Today, I went and checked out Adele's first CD (which I must say is AWESOME--go check it out!!), the movie "ABduction" with Taylor Lautner, and 2 books-- "Adrenaline" and "Collision" by Jeff Abbott. I have a book by Jeff Abbott--"Trust Me", and I really like it. He writes good suspense-thrillers that usually keep me on the edge of my seat.
That's all for now: I'll keep you updated about my summer plans and how they pan out!
Monday, June 11, 2012
Music Monday
Another installment of "Music Monday"! Last week's song choice was a great one--"Rolling in the Deep" by Adele. This week's song is:
"I Wonder as I Wander" by Harry Connick, Jr.
This is a good Christmas song, but not played much around that time of year. I love Harry Connick, Jr., and my family has 2 of his Christmas CDs, both of which are always played during the Christmas season. I like how Harry Connick, Jr. brings a twist to old classics; that twist is his addition of a bluesy-swing, "Creole" style to his music. It gives a nice variety to the same traditional songs of Christmastime.
I couldn't find a YouTube link of this song; however, I suggest going to YouTube and listening to other Harry Connick, Jr. songs. He's a wonderful singer, and his arrangements of classics are great!
"I Wonder as I Wander" by Harry Connick, Jr.
This is a good Christmas song, but not played much around that time of year. I love Harry Connick, Jr., and my family has 2 of his Christmas CDs, both of which are always played during the Christmas season. I like how Harry Connick, Jr. brings a twist to old classics; that twist is his addition of a bluesy-swing, "Creole" style to his music. It gives a nice variety to the same traditional songs of Christmastime.
I couldn't find a YouTube link of this song; however, I suggest going to YouTube and listening to other Harry Connick, Jr. songs. He's a wonderful singer, and his arrangements of classics are great!
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
Me
I'm still trying to get used to how to USE a blog, but I realized that I don't post much about ME personally. And while you bloggers/readers don't need to know everything about me, I thought it would be neat to have a peek into my life. So, occasionally, I will post a picture of something about ME! Today's picture is a stuffed animal with a VERY special place in my heart.
This is my Pooh doll. I got him when my family went to Disney World in Orlando, FL when I was 8. My family stayed at the Coronado Springs Resort (Mayan-themed), and in the gift shop in the hotel, I wanted a Pooh doll, since he's my favorite Disney character. The clerk said that there were no more, but if I came on the last day I was there, Pooh would be here.
I came back on the last day, and the clerk was reaching into the inventory room to get a Pooh doll for me. But let's remember, I was 8. And believed ANYTHING. Here is what the clerk told me of Pooh's adventure to get to the store:
First, the clerk called on Tinkerbell to send a message to Peter Pan that Pooh needed to come to the Coronado Springs Resort. Then, Peter Pan flew to Aladdin, who was able to find it, with the help of Genie. Aladdin flew over as fast as he could on his magic carpet to Peter Pan, who flew it here as fast as he could. That was who the clerk was taking it from in the room. WOAH. MAGIC. Naturally, I believed him, and was ecstatic to get my Pooh doll straight from Peter Pan.
After that, the rest is history. Pooh has been with me for 14 years now, and his sketched name on his shirt is piecing off, but I still love him as much as I did when I was 8. Whenever I would be upset, he was always there for me. When I would cry, Pooh would wipe my eyes (I would use his hands as blotters, don't judge). When I needed a hug, Pooh was always there. I know that he will be with me for years to come.
So, I love Disney, and I love Pooh--he's my favorite. And he has been a big part of my life, surprisingly. There's just a sneak peek into my life.
This is my Pooh doll. I got him when my family went to Disney World in Orlando, FL when I was 8. My family stayed at the Coronado Springs Resort (Mayan-themed), and in the gift shop in the hotel, I wanted a Pooh doll, since he's my favorite Disney character. The clerk said that there were no more, but if I came on the last day I was there, Pooh would be here.
I came back on the last day, and the clerk was reaching into the inventory room to get a Pooh doll for me. But let's remember, I was 8. And believed ANYTHING. Here is what the clerk told me of Pooh's adventure to get to the store:
First, the clerk called on Tinkerbell to send a message to Peter Pan that Pooh needed to come to the Coronado Springs Resort. Then, Peter Pan flew to Aladdin, who was able to find it, with the help of Genie. Aladdin flew over as fast as he could on his magic carpet to Peter Pan, who flew it here as fast as he could. That was who the clerk was taking it from in the room. WOAH. MAGIC. Naturally, I believed him, and was ecstatic to get my Pooh doll straight from Peter Pan.
After that, the rest is history. Pooh has been with me for 14 years now, and his sketched name on his shirt is piecing off, but I still love him as much as I did when I was 8. Whenever I would be upset, he was always there for me. When I would cry, Pooh would wipe my eyes (I would use his hands as blotters, don't judge). When I needed a hug, Pooh was always there. I know that he will be with me for years to come.
So, I love Disney, and I love Pooh--he's my favorite. And he has been a big part of my life, surprisingly. There's just a sneak peek into my life.
Monday, June 4, 2012
Music Monday
Today is Monday, which means it is time for some new music! The song of my week is: "Rolling in the Deep" by Adele.
When this song first came out, I did not like it. I thought it was just another musician, nothing truly good or worthy of all the attention it was getting. Then, when I heard it on Glee, I liked it even worse. Then, I just kept listening to it (thank you radio). The more I listened, the better it got. Now, I love Adele and ALL of her songs so much that I purchased her "21" CD. It is SO good and one of my "driving home" CDs. I constantly listen to it. The CD just resides in my CD player all the time.
Here are 2 versions: the music video and the Glee version
Adele music video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rYEDA3JcQqw&ob=av2n
Glee version: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=75ZlT3NWXbs
What is your favorite Adele song? Do you have any of her CDs? Which version do you like better: Adele or Glee?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)