I love the energy and spirit at NBA games! There's just something so fun about it that makes me wish I could go to basketball games all the time... like Jack Nicholson...
Can you find him? Does that guy ever miss a game?
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Friday, February 22, 2008
Little unknown facts...
WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE?
My great grandpa Nicholas and my grandma Virginia Marie = Nicole Marie.
WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED?
I wanted to earlier this week.
DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING?
Only when I'm not in a hurry.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT?
Ham.
DO YOU HAVE KIDS?
2 of the cutest!
IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON, WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU?
Hmmm... now here's a question I should ask myself everyday to keep me in line!
DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT?
I'm trying to cut back.
DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS?
Yes... in a jar in my bathroom.
WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP?
Absolutely not!
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL?
Grape nuts and Quaker Oatmeal Squares.
DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF?
nah.
DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG?
Stronger than before Grant joined our family.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM?
Mint chip and pecans n'praline.
WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE?
If they make eye contact with me. Unless there's something very obviously freaky about them, like hair sprouting from a huge mole on their face (which I've seen before, not pretty.)
RED OR PINK?
Red.
WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING YOU LIKE ABOUT YOURSELF?
That the glass is always half empty.
WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST?
Grandma Joyce, hands down, 100 times over!
WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE?
A slice of banana bread.
WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW?
The peace and quiet.
IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE?
I think I'd be a little more concerned about the fact that I'd just turned into a crayon to care about the color!
FAVORITE SMELLS?
Grant (after he's been bathed and lotioned, of course), lemon, clean laundry, apple pie in the oven, vanilla.
WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE?
Cory.
DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU?
I did until she sent this to me via email with the threat that I better not "spoil the fun".
FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH?
Does Iron Chef count?
DO YOU WHERE CONTACTS?
No.
FAVORITE FOOD?
Pizza, Mexican, a really good salad (like from a salad bar).
SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS?
And they lived happily ever after...
LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED?
The Good Shepherd.
SUMMER OR WINTER?
Really now... who prefers winter over summer?
HUGS OR KISSES?
Kisses, especially the wet, drooly ones from Grant. But I'll take a hug from anyone, even Debbie Ward.
FAVORITE DESSERT?
Anything with fruit, especially pie! (Marie Callenders is having their semi-annual pie sale right now!)
WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW?
The Book of Mormon.
WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD?
A mouse.
WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON TV LAST NIGHT?
LOST!
FAVORITE SOUND?
Maggie and Grant and Cory laughing, not necessarily together though because that usually ends up with someone crying, even Cory when one of the kids kick his uh-huh. I also like sound of yard work being done as background noise.
ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES?
Who?
WHERE IS THE FURTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME?
Jordan, in the Middle East.
WHERE WERE YOU BORN?
Mather Air Force Base, which I just learned doesn't even exist anymore.
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
BFF
HAPPY BIRTHDAY SCOTT!
How cute is this picture?? Scott (left) has been Cory's best friend ever since Kindergarten. I love when we get the two of them together because they are so funny! All these years...they are always trying to one-up each other and it's hilarious! This picture was taken at the 1984 Olympics in downtown L.A. Hope all your wildest dreams come true for your birthday, Scott!
Oh, and by the way... I'm talking to Scott here... Cory says that his kid can beat up your kid!
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Thursday, February 14, 2008
A must try...
Do you like 3 Musketeers? I'd probably pass up if offered one, but the limited edition Cherry with Dark Chocolate intrigued me. I saw the little mini just staring at me amongst Maggie's Valentine candy stash. Surely her taste buds are not this sophisticated. But, cherry and chocolate... it's a weakness of mine. I must say, these little guys are YUMMM-O! I totally recommend!
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
The Writers' strike... NO MORE!
Finally! After putting 50,000 entertainment industry employees out of work (including Cory) for 100 days, costing the L.A. economy 1.9 billion dollars... THE STRIKE IS OVER! Hallelujah for food on the table again!
As tough as it has been to have Cory out of work in his primary field (thank goodness for freelance work), something good has come out of this for me... I turned off the TV cause doggone it, there was nothing to watch! And wouldn't you know, I found a life outside of television! Now, I'm not a total TV junkie, but I had my shows. I'll have you know, it's done me a little good to find some new extracurricular activities... like reading! I highly recommend it! I have to admit though, I'm looking forward to the return of The Office... and Desperate Housewives... and Pushing Daisies was starting to intrigue me... but that's it! Overall, I just think it's a good thing that we can get back to work now!
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Our favorite park
Cory's gonna kill me for doing this, but I just gotta show everyone our ticket into Disneyland. I'm very proud, as always!
When the opportunity arises, Cory does freelance design work for Disneyland. Now, I probably shouldn't share this, but he's in very high demand. You see, not everyone has the skill set and design ability to create this... castle change machines at the Fairytale Fantasy Theatre. This is just one of the latest ways that Cory himself has made Disneyland... a happier place on earth. Now you know.
Cory does the work and we reap the benefits. Castle change machines= pass into Disneyland. My kids live a life that I never knew. Disneyland was a once-a-year, special occasion for me growing up. We even laid our clothes out for the next day. I think one year, I and both my sisters all wore matching, brand new Pepsi T-shirts. They were cool, of course, cause it was the year that Pepsi was selling their beverage in the "Cool Cans". But my spoiled children get to visit the Mouse at least 4 times a year. Lucky us! (I think, check back with me and I'll let you know if they turn into brats.)
So, that is why Disneyland is our favorite park, because it's practically an option when trying to decide which one we should play at for the day. Who wouldn't pick the one with flying Dumbo's and Grizzly River Runs? Okay well, Maggie, Grant and I don't pick the Grizzly River Run but thank goodness our friends Jon and Kirsten joined us for the day so that Cory wasn't the only sucker willing to get wet.
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
I hate corn syrup!
No joke here. I am so sick of seeing corn syrup listed as a top ingredient in so many of our foods today. So, excuse me for getting up on my soap box but I just have to get this off my chest!
The other day, I set out for the grocery store to get some applesauce. Innocent little applesauce. I saw a shelf full of the different varieties, but I wanted the chunky kind and there was only one brand that sold it. So I picked up MY ONLY CHOICE and just as I was walking away, I habitually turned the jar over to read the ingredients and CORN SYRUP was the SECOND ingredient! In APPLESAUCE? I DON'T WANT corn syrup in my applesauce!!
Now, I don't claim to be an expert and I'm not a health nut either, but corn syrup is just not good for us. In one report, I read that corn syrup is sometimes even deceptively added to foods that are labeled as "All Natural". Shocking! Do they think they can get away with that because it came from corn, when it WAS natural? Well, it doesn't take a brain surgeon to figure out that the final product is anything but natural. It's very processed. But, the plain truth is that corn syrup is one of the reasons why we are seeing such a surge in obesity. And I know I'm not the only person who reads ingredient labels, but I bet there's a large percentage of people who are unknowingly consuming corn syrup and feeding it to their kids.
I guess that's the real reason why I'm so outraged! Cause I don't want it in the foods I feed to my kids, but it's in EVERYTHING! And I'm not talking about the obvious things like candies and cookies. I mean, it's in our applesauce, fruit drinks, breads, crackers, cereals, condiments, soups, yogurts... it's even in INFANT FORMULA!! We are doomed!
I'll tell you the thing that really scares me about corn syrup. I researched that when corn syrup is ingested, it doesn't stimulate the pancreas to produce insulin the way sugar does. OH GREAT! Corn syrup also doesn't stimulate leptin production to let us know when we are satisfied. So not only are we making our kids fat, but now we are setting them up for diabetes.
So now what? Well people, you gotta be aware! Read those labels! You'll be surprised at what you find. Also, I've never seen corn syrup listed as an ingredient in the foods at Trader Joe's. I could be wrong, but I've never seen it. You'll find sugar, but at least it's better than corn syrup. When you have to choose, choose sugar. At least it won't mess up your metabolism like corn syrup does. And also don't forget: "moderation in all things". I mean, it's okay once in awhile... like for my aunt Jana's peanut butter popcorn recipe. But not in my applesauce, thank you!!
Sunday, February 3, 2008
A reason to keep your breadmaker...
Well worth the hassle of hanging onto that bulky machine...
VANILLA ICE CREAM CINNAMON ROLLS
1 cup warm water, 110 degrees F
1 egg
3 cups bread flour
¼ cup sugar
3 tablespoons instant powdered milk
1 ½ teaspoons salt
5 tablespoons butter, softened
1 teaspoon instant yeast
⅓ cup butter
½ cup vanilla ice cream
½ cup brown sugar
½ cup butter, softened, for spreading
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
½ cup brown sugar
1. Place water, egg, bread flour, white sugar, powdered milk, salt, 5 tablespoons butter and yeast in bread machine in the order suggested by the manufacturer. Select DOUGH setting, and turn machine on.
2. Meanwhile; in a small saucepan, melt 1/3 cup butter. Add 1/2 cup brown sugar and ice cream; bring to a boil, and cook for 2 minutes. Pour caramel into the bottom of a lightly greased 9 x 13 inch pan.
3. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
4. When machine has finished cycling remove dough from pan and turn it out onto a lightly floured surface. Pat dough into a rectangle. Spread with softened butter and sprinkle lightly with cinnamon. Crumble 1/2 cup brown sugar over the top. Roll up, and seal edge. Cut into 12 rolls using toothfloss, and place in prepared pan of caramel. Allow to rise until doubled in size, about 45 minutes, depending on the temperature of your kitchen.
5. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for approximately 20 to 25 minutes, until golden brown.
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