13 Things That Make Me Smile

I tuned into President Bush’s speech on the financial crisis last night.  I have to give him credit for helping me to understand the whole thing a little better, but I kind of got the impression that this was something that I should have already been worried about.  Well as much as I try, I can’t seem to will myself to be overly concerned.   Am I being ignorant or naive?  Are you worried about it? Should I be worried about it?  Make me worry, damn it.

Ok, enough of that.  With all the doom and gloom surrounding us, I thought I would make a list of the things that I’m happy about right now.  I thought I’d share my list since it may be helpful to others to take their minds off the proverbial falling sky.

Disclaimer:  My friends and family do make me happy, but since I don’t post many personal pictures,  I thought I would share some universal things that we can all relate to and improve our moods.

1.  This blogger met Ryan Gosling.  While I wish it was me instead of her, I’m glad to read that he was super nice.  I left this comment on her post:

Can I just tell you how happy I am for you (ok and a little jealous too). I think more than that I’m just really glad to hear that Ryan is a nice guy. It is hard to continue to have sexual fantasies about a jerk, so thanks for keeping the dream alive.

2.  My friend just gave me New Moon (the second book in the Twilight saga).  I just love knowing that it is in my possession and that in a few short days I will be reading it.  There is a sense of calm that I can’t explain knowing that Edward Cullen is on my nightstand right now.  For the last time, I do realize that he is a vampire.  That doesn’t take away from his perfection. 

 

3.  I received an email with a bunch of funny pictures.  While I usually hate forwards there were a couple that made me smile.  First there was this one:

4.  And then this one:

Can you just imagine driving down the street and seeing either of these things? 

5.  Have you heard the Gavin Rossdale song “Love Remains the Same”?  I just love it!  Apparently, this is not a new song but my awful local pop music radio station has just discovered it.  Therefore, I’m just now discovering it since I’m a slave to what the djs decide I must listen to.  I’m so not a musical hipster.  

For some reason this song reminds me of Twilight and Edward Cullen.  Not sure why.

6.  It’s almost October.  I love October.  How can you not love October?   The weather is perfect, the leaves are changing colors (well, at least it is here, not sure about where you live).  

It is also my birthday month, and yes I do celebrate (or at least try to celebrate) the entire month.  I call it the Month-long Birthday Extravaganza.  It drives my husband crazy.  Plus, all the fall decorations, mums, and pumpkins.  I think October is God’s way of making the transition into winter bearable.  Have I mentioned my absolute disdain for winter yet?  Oh, don’t worry.  I’m sure you will hear all about it in the upcoming months. 

Ok, I’m getting off track from my positive post.  The last reason October is so wonderful is that my neighborhood goes all out for Halloween.  Now, normally I’m not a huge fan of my neighborhood, but Halloween makes up for it.  These people are Halloween freaks, which is kind of fun.  There are all sorts of decorations, smoke machines, and kids line the streets trick or treating.  It is a HUGE deal here.  (While your religious beliefs may not support this “evil” holiday, you must at least concur that any excuse for the consumption of chocolate is never a bad thing).  October rocks!

7.  Fall tv is BACK!!  That means new episodes of 30 Rock! 

8.  And Grey’s Anatomy which means lots of McSteamy and McDreamy:

 

(Note to Shonda Rhimes–Please just let Meredith and Derek be happy for a few episodes before finding yet another way to destroy their love.  If I have to watch one more mopey Meredith episode, I’m going to try to drown myself too.)

9.  And the last (but definitely not least) show that I’m super excited about is THE OFFICE.  It is BACK!!!!!!  TONIGHT!!!!  Alleluia!  Oh how I’ve missed my Office.  

 10.  Another thing that made me smile recently is this blog award from My Friend Amy.

While I love any award, I was especially excited to be getting this one from Amy. I love Amy and her blog, as I’ve mentioned before.  Also, this award is super cute.  It reminds me of my binder from middle/high school with the I love so and so, crossed out, so and so, crossed out, so and so.  I was very fickle with my declarations of love.

11.  Since I don’t want to seem greedy by keeping this award all to myself, I’d like to pass it on to a few blogs that I love and always brighten my mood.  While there are many really great blogs that I could give this to, but I want to pick a few out of my blogroll that aren’t as well known. 

The first is Three Boys One Mommy.  She calls herself the Super Commenter and I have to say that she is right.  They all crack me up.  Her blog is a riot too.  You should definitely check it out!  

12.  I’ve recently discovered Even the Nice Ones.  Have you ever had the experience of clicking on a blog and just reading a few paragraphs it was like love at first site/sight.  This is exactly what happened with this blog.   The fact that she calls her husband “Not Matt Damon” is just icing on the cake.

13.  Lastly, I have been reading Memarie Lane for awhile now.  I have to say that I always take something from her posts (whether it is something funny or thought-provoking.)  She is a fantastic writer!  For example, if you want more reasons to smile about our impending doom, click here. 

What has been making you smile lately?  Did I manage to take your mind off the financial crisis for a little bit?  Is your mind even on the crisis? 

To see more Thursday 13 lists, go here.

September 25, 2008 | Filed Under I Like Lists, Link Love, My TV Addiction | 12 Comments 

In The Air Tonight

I can feel it coming in the air tonight.  Remember that creepy song?  What was he even talking about anyway?  Actually while I’m on the subject of mysterious Phil Collins songs, what the heck is a Sussudio?  I’ve always wanted to know. 

Either way, I love you Phil, and your depressing love songs:

So what is it that I’m feeling in the air tonight?

Fall.  Autumn.  It doesn’t matter what you call it because it all means the same thing.  Summer is almost over and that makes me want to cry.

Everywhere I look there are back to school ads.  It is unavoidable.  Trust me, I’ve tried not to see them, but they just won’t go away.

This chilly weather is pretty much all I needed to push me over the edge into a dark pit of depression.  (Guess who didn’t get in touch with her doctor for some happy pills?)

Just when I think things can’t get any worse, I tune into the Olympics Opening Ceremonies to find out that my favorite fish (Michael Phelps) is too busy resting for his early morning event to be there.  What kind of lame excuse is that?

I almost turned the tv off right there and then but it was such an amazing spectacle that I couldn’t do it.  You know what?  I’m glad I didn’t turn it off because hidden in the middle of one of the commercial breaks was a reason to go on living. 

What was this reason? 

Oh just a little promo video for the best show ever– The Office.  Did anyone else catch that?  Oh how I love my Jim and Dwight and their tumultuous relationship.    

Knowing that there are new episodes of The Office coming makes the end of summer just a little bit easier to bear. 

I couldn’t find the commercial so I’m putting up this Jim vs Dwight video for all The Office fans out there that may need a fix:

 

August 9, 2008 | Filed Under My TV Addiction, Things That Make Me Happy | 15 Comments 

88 Calorie Brownies

Last week I caught Jenna Fischer (aka Pam Beasley from The Office) on The Tonight Show.  First, can I just say how much I love her.   She’s just so cute and down to earth whenever I see her doing interviews.  I just know we’d be BFFs if we ever met in real life. 

When I was looking for a picture of her to post I ran across this ADORABLE one of her and John Krasinski at the Emmy’s a few years ago.  How did I not see this.  Pam and Jim are the cutest tv couple ever!!

One of the things she talked about on Leno was a recipe that she found online for 88 calorie brownies.  A guilt-free chocolate dessert-now that’s what I’m talkin’ about.

Well, I was a little skeptical of celebrity diet and exercise recommendations since my attempt at Kundalini Yoga.  However, we are talking about brownies.  There would be no panting and stretching.  Just eating.  And it’s chocolate, so I’m kind of thinking this is foolproof. 

I did some digging and found the recipe.  These perfect little bites of heaven are the result of the genius Chef Devin Alexander.  She has her own show on Discovery Health Channel called “Healthy Decadence”.  Sounds like something to add to my tivo.  Do I even have Discovery Health Channel?

The recipe was so easy to make that I even took pictures.  I almost dropped the camera in the batter a few times but it was worth it to bring you these step by step directions. 

The finished product was really good.  At first I wasn’t sure if I was going to love them because they were really soft, but I put them in the fridge and after a few hours they were yummy.  It seemed like each day they got better and better.  This is the perfect snack for tonight’s Office season finale.  Don’t you think?    

***Disclaimer–The nutritional information below is for one brownie, not eight.  Eating the brownie with a bowl of ice cream (YUM) will add calories and fat.  As will eating the rest of the bag of chocolate chips.***

88 Calorie Brownies

Ingredients
1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 egg whites
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup unbleached, all-purpose flour
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon instant espresso powder (optional)
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup mini chocolate chips (semi-sweet)
Butter-flavored cooking spray

1.  Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spray an 8×8 inch non-stick cake pan with spray.

2.  In a medium mixing bowl, using a sturdy whisk or spatula, mix the applesauce, vanilla, egg whites and sugar until they are well combined.

3.  Add the flour, cocoa powder, espresso powder, baking powder, and salt. Stir the mixture until it is just combined and no lumps remain.

4.  Pour it into the prepared pan. Sprinkle the chips evenly over the top.

5.  Bake the brownies for 20-22 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out dry (a few crumbs are okay).  Transfer the pan to a cooling rack and allow them to cool 5 minutes.

6.  Cut into 12 equal brownies. Makes 12 (1 brownie) servings.

Each brownie has: 88 calories, 2 g protein, 19 g carbohydrates, 1 g fat, less than 1 g saturated fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 1 g fiber, 133 mg sodium

Traditional Double Chocolate Brownies have: 260 calories, 3 g protein, 37 g carbohydrates, 12 g fat, 3 g saturated fat, 15 mg cholesterol, 1 g fiber, 165 mg sodium

If you want a copy of the recipe to print (without pics) go here.  To find more tried and true recipes, head on over to the Pumpkin Patch for Tasy Thursdays or Saturday Stirrings at It Coulda’ Been Worse.

May 15, 2008 | Filed Under Recipes | 8 Comments 

Menu Plan Monday: The Food and TIVO Edition

First I want to thank everyone who commented on my blog last week about my quesadilla dilemma.  I tried the technique suggested by Heather, Laura, and Alex, who all said to lightly grease the tortillas themselves.   I melted some butter in a bowl and then brushed it on.  They came out perfectly.  I may try to be healthier next time and use olive oil, but probably not.  Why mess with a good thing?

I thought I’d spice the menu planning up for this week and copy something I saw on Oh Amanda’s blog.  I’m going to list out my meal plan like normal, but I’m going to get a little crazy and show you my tv plan for the week.   

Monday–Stirfry Chicken and Veggies

TIVO:  How I Met Your Mother-Britney Spears is back and is dating Barney.  This should be really good!

Tuesday–Mexican Turkey Skillet  (This is a new recipe.  Not sure where I got it, but if its good I’ll post it next week)

TIVO: American Idol– This week the final 3 will sing three songs!  Judges will pick one, producers pick one and they pick one.  

Wednesday–Tangy Slow Cooker Pork Roast, Mashed Potatoes, gravy, green beans

TIVO:  Idol Results–Syesha will  probably go home.  I think it will be a battle of the Davids in the finale.

Thursday–Leftovers or Calzones

TIVO:  The Office Season Finale–One hour tonight!  I wonder if Jim will propose to Pam.   They are so cute together, but I’m torn.  It just seems like they are kind of rushing things.

Lost–It looks like we get to see the Oceanic 6 get off the island.  Will Locke figure out how to “move the island” or not?

Friday–Fish Sandwiches, mac n cheese, mixed veggies

Saturday–Ham, Cabbage, Potatoes, Beans 

Sunday–Mom’s House

TIVO:  Desperate Housewives–Its the 2 hour season finale.  I know a lot of people have given up on this show, but I still enjoy it. 

Did anyone see that ABC is bringing back The Mole (sans host Anderson Cooper)?  I’m excited about that.  We watched that when it was on a few years ago. 

Leave me a comment and let me know if I missed any shows that you are watching.  Also, head on over to Organizing Junkie for some more menu ideas.

May 11, 2008 | Filed Under Menu Plan Monday | 7 Comments 

Like Finding A Twenty Dollar Bill Left In Your Pocket

You know the feeling.  After a long summer, you put your jacket on for the first time and reach into your pocket.  Jackpot!!  You pull out the folded up bill and your heart begins to flutter with excitement.  Or when the alarm clock goes off on the weekend and you realize you don’t have to get up for anything.   Well, this morning as I was driving home from running some errands I had a similar experience.  Not just once, but two times!! 

I was driving along and felt my stomach start to growl and I looked at the clock.  It was 10:13am–darn it, 2 more hours until lunchtime.  (Yes, I do count down the minutes until my next meal because I’m pathetic like that.)   Then it hit me that I had forgotten to eat breakfast this morning.  Jackpot!!  I felt like I just hit the lottery.  I began dreaming of all the ways I would spend my winnings–should I have oatmeal, cereal, bagel, waffles–oh the possibilities are endless.  For the record, I love food that much.

My thoughts then turned to what was on my agenda for the day and I realized it was Thursday.  Jackpot!  New episodes of The Office and 30 Rock!!  Oh yes, I am that addicted to tv and now its out there for all the world to see.   Well, I’d like to think that at least I’ll make someone else feel better today because after reading this they’ll realize that someone else’s life is indeed more boring then theirs.  I’ve done my good deed for the day.

By this time I’m loving life and feeling totally upbeat.  This was really starting out to be a great day.  I think I may even exercise today.  Now that would be something different.  That’s how good I was feeling.  Then, without warning, the low fuel gage started beeping and I realized I would have to dump nearly $60 to just get home.  I think I’ll exercise tomorrow.

April 17, 2008 | Filed Under For The Love of Food, My TV Addiction, Things That Make Me Happy, Watching | 1 Comment