New itunes For the Week

Feel free to comment. I like nothing better than to buy music from the past and present.

1. Mr. Brightside - The Killers
2. A Little Respect - Erasure
3. The Distance - Cake
4. Magic Man - Heart
5. One - Cowboy Junkies
6. Sweet Jane - Cowboy Junkies
7. True Faith - New Order
8. I Who Have Nothing - Jordin Sparks
9. She Doesn't Get It - The Formats

Like The Killers, that song is old. Why did it take until today to love it. I like other songs by The Killers, but Mr. Brightside made sense today. There was a lot of talk about Magic Man this weekend because we were talking about The Virgin Suicides when Trip Fontaine "emerged from baby fat to the delight of girls and mothers alike". So, of course, I had to have that song.

New Places

Last night was a flashback to when I first moved to Philadelphia. Dar Williams, a folk singer who I dig, was playing a concert in a park near our suburb. This suburb is also near the second biggest mall in America. When I first moved here, it was one of the first places that I took an adventure. So, as I was driving, I started thinking about how far I have come.

When I first moved here, I did everything by myself. Tim was busy at work and I was only working part time. I would find my way to new places and neighborhoods and here I was again, finding my way by myself to something new.

The concert wasn't meant to be because even though I had found the park and set up my lawn chair, it was canceled because it began to storm. I was able to catch the first act but wasn't going to get soaked or electrocuted for some folk music.

Midwestern Crush: Keith Olbermann

I guess it isn't normal to develop crushes on television newscasters and commentators, but I do it at such a regular interval that I have to wonder what it is that I love so much.

Take my new news boyfriend, Keith Olbermann. I enjoy watching him on MSNBC every night with his show Countdown with Keith Olbermann. I love his clean cut style and of course, I love his politics. Also, he points out the ridiculous with the news and the news makers. I enjoy any newscast that gives American Idol as much time as the 2008 Presidential race.
Each evening, he shares the worst person in the world. He is the first newscaster to point out when stupid people do stupid things. That either boosts my ego or just makes me laugh. Sure, he's 48, but he is my new boyfriend.

Midwestern Movie: Beautiful Girls

Beautiful Girls is one of my favorite movies. This is a bold endorsement since I do not have many favorite movies that fall out of the mafia genre. However, every once in awhile, I will love all things about a movie.

This movie was made in 1996, but has these themes that affect you at any age. Without going into too much of the movie details, it comes down to a 'getting on with your life' story after characters take a weekend in their hometown to look back on their life of 30 some years.

These are the things that I love about Beautiful Girls
- The soundtrack...11 years later, it is still good.
- Natalie Portman...at 13, she was an amazing actress.
- The weather reminds me of home.
- I think the writing is clever and quick.

So, if you are looking for a movie to add to your queue, I am giving it my highest midwestern endorsement: four casseroles!

Recipe: Bill's Blue Cheese Dressing

This is one of the few dressings that I make from scratch, but it is very good. If you like blue cheese dressing, you'll love this one. I like to serve it with spinach salad, walnuts, and bacon.
3/4 cup sour cream
1 1/3 cups mayonnaise
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
4 ounces blue cheese, crumbled

In a large bowl, whisk together the sour cream, mayonnaise and Worcestershire sauce. Season with mustard, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Stir in blue cheese. Cover, and refrigerate for 24 hours before serving.

Let's Keep It Simple

Things I Don't Like

1. Shrek and Shrek movies
2. The song by Heart "All I Wanna Do Is Make Love to You"
3. Purple and all purple related colors
4. Orange flavored desserts
5. People who think they are perfect and try to make everyone else perfect.
   
6. Scheduling appointments.
   
7. Karl Rove
8. South Park
9. Dry markers
10. The Monday night television choices
    

Home Improvement

Does this ever happen to you?

You buy some paint, put the first brush stroke on the wall and utter words that have been uttered many times on Arrested Development, "I've made a terrible mistake".

It always seems to happen but as I continue to brush and reflect, I get use to it. I gave the bathroom a first coat of Svelte Sage covering the lilac. I don't do lilac. Now that the entire bathroom is covered, I am enjoying it.

Home improvement projects just gets longer and longer. Here it is...
- fireplace screen
- find bedroom duvet cover
- paint bedroom
- research and find someone to sew roman shades for the dining room
- find fabric for those roman shades
- maybe a new shower curtain, something light
- research the price of carpet for a few spaces
- weed wack the front yard
- think about what I need in the dining room...it is kind of bare.
- start thinking about the three season porch and what I want to do in that space.

As you can see...it could take me awhile.

Citrus Obsession

I am going through a lime and lemon stage.

I can't get enough of the citrusy wonder. I have had either limeade or lemonade in my refrigerator for about three weeks. I made a key lime pie again for dessert. I just printed out a lemon cake recipe and will leave for the store to gather the ingredients after I write this post.

I know other people obsess about things, but I have a tendency to obsess about food more than most. I just think about how I can get that certain craving in as many ways possible. I am so glad that Tim is a good sport about all of my obsessions. He never says, "Sara, could we make something other than key lime pie? How about peanut butter?" He just eats it.

If you have a suggestion for a new obsession, I 'll consider it. I am in the market for a new one.

Grillin' and Chillin'

One of our new grown up purchases with this house is a new grill. We've mooched off of friends and family for our grilled food fix for many years. It is now up to us to get the brats and steaks done.

I am trying a new thing tonight, grilled shrimp. I am using the following marinade. I'll let you know how it goes. They are marinading right now and it smells fantastic. I am serving it with a mild garlic and oil pasta and salad.

A key lime pie is on deck for tomorrow. I made one last week, but it was far from my dream key lime pie at home. So, I'll give it another try. I am crazy about lemon and lime stuff lately.

INGREDIENTS

• 1 cup olive oil
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
• 1 lemon, juiced
• 2 tablespoons hot pepper sauce
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 2 teaspoons dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 2 pounds large shrimp, peeled and deveined with tails attached
• skewers

DIRECTIONS

1. In a mixing bowl, mix together olive oil, parsley, lemon juice, hot sauce, garlic, tomato paste, oregano, salt, and black pepper. Reserve a small amount for basting later. Pour remaining marinade into a large resealable plastic bag with shrimp. Seal, and marinate in the refrigerator for 2 hours.
2. Preheat grill for medium-low heat. Thread shrimp onto skewers, piercing once near the tail and once near the head. Discard marinade.
3. Lightly oil grill grate. Cook shrimp for 5 minutes per side, or until opaque, basting frequently with reserved marinade.

The Zoo

I took in another Philadelphia adventure today, The Philadelphia Zoo. I took the kindergarteners on a field trip. It is a totally different experience taking a group of children to the zoo rather than when I go with Tim.

My feelings about zoos are very conflicted. I feel bad when I see the polar bears sleeping in the hot sun since I know their natural habitat is where it is cold. When I see a crocodile in a pond the size of my bathtub, I know he would be happier somewhere bigger. The elephants are the saddest to me. These are huge animals that go in herds and are confined to a small space. Thankfully, the elephants are moving out of the Philadelphia Zoo to a big land preserve.

On the other hand, I like zoos because I love to see the animals. Today, the big cat house was amazing. All of the cats were active and came right up to the window where the children could be face to face with a real tiger, lion, and puma. The gorilla put his hand up to the glass and the children did too. If it were not for zoos, the children would never see these animals except on television.

I Ate It

I am a little behind the times when it comes to burrito consumption, but tonight I broke free of the refried bean chains that have kept me from a variety of fast food burrito chains that people have been enjoying for years.

I enjoyed my first huge burrito at Santa Fe Burrito. It is comparable to a Chipotle or Qdoba burritos. I have to say...I am not too impressed.

First of all, it is too big. I could only eat this with what I consider level one friends and family. These are people that have seen me at my worst or they don't have a choice but to still love me. It is not a pretty eating experience. I would hate to eat this tortilla mess with co-workers that I do not know very well. Even worse, if I were in the dating scene, eating this on some sort of first to twentieth date. I actually ate this with a person that I am just getting to know, so I have no memory of the taste of the burrito. All of my energy was spent on not making a damn fool of my cheesy self.

For those of you who know me well, you might have guessed that it was the cilantro that has kept me away from the burrito joints. I can't stand cilantro. Cilantro has made its way into most Mexican establishments and I am against it. So, I asked my friend at Santa Fe Burrito if this has a lot of cilantro and he said no, but it was a very unsure no. But, it was okay. I didn't taste any.

You know me, I usually have glowing reviews of things even when I only sort of like it. I like the burrito, but I think I like it for my secret Sara behaviors like barrette wearing and peanut butter on everything.

A Gnome Among Us

I almost bought a garden gnome today. Are they cute? Are they ugly? I am some where in the middle of that argument, yet I felt strangely compelled to buy one.

Like many of my purchasing moments, I was caught up in nostalgia. Bringing me back to my very younger days in northern Minnesota where my grandmother's garden was sprinkled with at minimum of six garden gnomes, my walk through the craft store aisle had me lifting up each gnome looking for the perfect one.

I wonder if Grandma still has these gnomes? Were they sold at her auction? Now that I have a garden of my own, I think I need one.

It was only after a conversation with a friend tonight that I realized that people do not like garden gnomes. What is not to like? He is a short little man who looks slightly slow. His simple purpose in life is to hang out in the garden among friends. His nose always looks like he might have had too many. Wouldn't we all like to be like the garden gnome?

Plant of the Week

I guess you can add gardening to the following list...

coffee
karaoke
friends and family
good television
cooking
reading
scrapbooking

because I am currently obsessed about it. If you recall, I had several photos of mystery plants on the blog. Well, days have passed and things have bloomed. I thought you might want an update for the flowers.

Thanks for helping me identify the holly plant. I plan on trimming that up next weekend.

Remember this plant?
Well, check out what it has turned into...
I still do not know what it is called, but I love the purple flowers that have come out of it. I hope they last all season. If you know what this is called, I'd be glad to know. Click on it to see a bigger view.



Remember this plant?
Well, check it out. It has blossomed into some beautiful hostas. Everyone was right! Thanks for the help. They are sprouting up all over the landscaping. I will be glad when they fill up the space.




So, here is mystery plant/flower of the week? Who knows what this is called?
Here is the full view and the close up view of the flowers. They are so small and delicate. I love them. Seriously, I am in the bottom of my class when it comes to horticulture.

Midwestern Endorsement!

Hello, Nation.

I know I am not the only person out there that loves Stephen Colbert. I love not only his 'truthiness', but also his irony wrapped in the American flag that he delivers every night on Comedy Central.

It's satire, folks. And I love that. There isn't an episode that we don't laugh out loud at his over the top stars and stripes lovin' humor.

Can't Fight the Feelin'

After school today, I went for a walk. The campus has a great trail and it was a beautiful day. I put on the sunscreen, new lime green shorts, and hit the trail. I had the ipod on and enjoyed many good tunes. When I was about three-fourths finished with the trail, I saw this patch of grass and I had the urge to just lay down in it.

I didn't though. Why didn't I? Was I afraid that I would be looked at funny? Was I afraid of a sunburn on the face since I forgot to reapply to the face? Did it just sound like a good idea and I would hate it when bugs were crawling on me?

Who knows? But, next time I have that kind of urge along with that kind of time, I am doing it.

Two Cents on Alec Baldwin

I love 30 Rock. It is one of my favorite shows for many reasons. First of all, Tina Fey writes the dry, clever, and self-deprecating funnies for the show.

And for all of my love for Tina Fey, it is Alec Baldwin that I dig the most on this show. I can't even begin how many personality disorders his character must have, yet he is somehow likable. His raspy voice and completely unemotional advice that he hands out like pearls of wisdom makes you really feel sorry for him. But only after you laugh out loud at what he just said. I love him...on the show. However, I have a beef with him. I know what you are thinking...

Sara, do you really want to start a fight with someone who calls their own daughter a pig?

Yes. Yes, I do because when it comes to my television entertainment, these colors don't run!

Alec Baldwin, I am tired of you saying that you want to leave 30 Rock to concentrate on your relationship with your daughter. What about me? What about millions of other viewers that depend on you each week to be a part of an hour and half of television that I rely on to be my reward for a hard worked week? Alec, you won a Golden Globe for this show! C' mon! I am going to hope that you come to your senses, but with past history being my guide, I won't hold my breath.

Not Much

I want to write something, but I really do not have anything to write. Life has been pretty uneventful and I have not been involved in anything too interesting. So, that leads to what I consider a lazy person's blog entry. Bullets. And not the violent kind. The kind that are simple and concise.

• I saw two men screaming at each other with their man chests all puffed out at each other. It amazes me that human men are just like animals when they come into conflict. Animals react that way.
• I just realized that all of the American Idol finalists are hard-core Jesus lovers. I discovered this as I read their celebrity playlists on itunes. A lot of Michael W. Smith and worship songs. Now, I won't judge them on that. I have a soft spot for the days when I was all saved in junior high.
• American Idol is also singing "life anthems" tonight. I am not sure if I love this season. I am pulling for Jordan Sparks at this point. This is not why I am pulling for her, but I have to say, she just reminds me so much of the crew that I hung with in high school. She can throw a huge smile on whenever it is asked of her. She is overly-excited about everything.
  
• I usually have two 'go to' baby gifts that I give for showers, but this might be added to the list.
• And finally, because you haven't wasted enough time today, try this.
  

Calling All Gardeners

This is my first attempt at gardening. We have this little rectangle space that begged for some flowers. I planted two hostas and five other flowers.

However, I find myself stumped and frustrated as I clean up the other parts of our landscaping. Because we did not landscape, we have mystery annuals. I have enjoyed the daffodils, but there are several that I am clueless about.

My biggest fear is that they are baby trees that are growing all over my yard. I just need answers. This is where you all come in. I am hoping that some expert gardeners read this blog so they can give me insight. I am posting pictures and if you know what these plants are, please comment. Be sure to refer to them as "plant #1" and so on. Also, if you have tips or opinions on loving or leaving this plant, tell me that too.

Plant #1
Click on any of the photos to get a close up.

These are growing in about four different places in my landscaping in the backyard.

Plant #2
They seem to be opening up and this mystery could soon be solved. I am hoping for some lovely flower that will bloom all summer with my love and attention.

Plant/Shrub? #3
These plants do not have any height to them. They just lay there. They have a pretty purplish hue to them along with the green.

Plant #4

This is the view from the top. It stands up to my knees. It doesn't have thorns, but it looks very healthy.

I am feeling horticulturally delayed here. Help me out.

Mowin'

Looking at Tim rest on our new mower, you'd think that we lived in 1930. Yes, we have a push mower and you'd understand if you saw how small our yard actually is.

However, I can't tell you how satisfying this push mower is. I love it. I love how the blade feels when it cuts the grass. It makes a fantastic 'werrrrr' sound as I cut the grass. It is not the most graceful of machines, but I like it.

Maybe this weekend will give me a chance to take a picture of Tim hanging out at the new grill we purchased.

Crab

I am super crabby today. No reason. Okay, maybe I have a reason but it is too boring and mundane to write about on my lovely, non-crabby blog.

Today, I am longing for the days in Iowa where I knew what was going on. I knew what was expected. I long for the days that I could just sit in my friend's classroom after school and crab. I have no one to crab to here.

Here are the high points to my day:
1. I am eating Thai food tonight.
2. I am going to Blades of Glory tonight.