The trial period phenomenon

Have you ever noticed how many things in life require a settling or trial period? Haircuts, houses, new acquaintances, etc? There comes a point where you have to develop a vision of yourself with regard to these new variables and think: "Is this me?"

This blog background is one such element. My old background was cruelly snatched away without warning and I was left with no other option but to adopt another, and while that might seem an easy task it is in fact quite trying. Selecting a blog background is the same as choosing an outfit for a job interview. The package has to be attractive enough to encourage the opening of said package to see what is inside. That outside packaging has to be a representation of all you are so that when that first impression is made it is the best it can possibly be. Pretty heavy stuff I know.

So here is test blog background #1, I expect I will be trying on other backgrounds in the near future in keeping with my pursuit of self understanding through aesthetics so if you you have any such opinion you would be willing to share please do so, I appreciate outside opinions.

Forgive me Father for I have sinned...

Today I gave in to temptation and bought shoes.

I knew that I shouldn't do it, but it was like an out of body experience and I just couldn't help myself.

I am so ashamed because the worst part is that I don't feel sorry, not at all.

I LOVED IT!

Wanna see?

I knew you would!

I got these...

and these...

these ones too...

and I had to have these ones!

Oh, I am so happy! Now comes the hard part – I have to wait for them to be delivered.

I can be strong...I hope! Just so you know; I know that I have a problem but if this is wrong then I don't want to be right. How's that for repentant and contrite?

*I just rhymed!*

Family togetherness

I was home in California last week for my sister Phyllis's wedding (No, my parents are not really that cruel, her real name is Emily, but born of the love her siblings have for her was the name Phyllis...but that is a story for another day) which necessitated a lot of family togetherness both with our immediate and extended family and the family of the groom. Now I love my family, truly I do, but not long after we had converged upon the family home I had a bit of an "Ah-Ha" moment. My father was regaling us with entertaining and brilliantly enhanced family stories and it came to me: family stories are like a push-up bra.

Every woman knows that a bra is a bra, but as with just about everything these days you can get the basic model, or one with assorted bells and whistles. The push-up bra, for example, takes what is already there - I don't think I really need to elaborate on what I mean by that - and adds to it so it is more substantial and is shown off to its best advantage.

Family stories are exactly like that. While the essence of the original foundation is there the time passed, and the teller are factors that add to and enhance the original story until the finished product resembles the original tale in essence only.

No you might be wondering where I am going with this...and I am sad to say that I am not really sure, I just wanted to share my epiphany with you.

Kisses!

To schlep, or not to schlep: that is the question

Schlep
Function: verb
Inflected forms: schlepped, schlepping
Meaning: to proceed or move especially slowly, tediously, awkwardly, or carelessly.

Laundry is one of life's great jokes, or perhaps "joke" is to happy a word. We use the expression "do the laundry" like the action of doing it means something, like we wont have to do it again because it has already been done. Not so. The most cruel thing about laundry is that once it is washed, dried, pressed, folded, and hung, it invariably finds its way back to the "to be washed" pile and you have to start the whole process all over again!

The only bright light in this whole ordeal is that my present domicile boasts a room in the apartment in which to do laundry. Such a blessing! Before I moved out on my own I never really took time to appreciate what a luxury it was to be able to do this heinous chore from within the privacy, and warmth of your own home. Well I can assuredly tell you now that being able to do your laundry without having to schlep it to the laundry mat is a miracle. No more parading bags, baskets, duffels, and bins full of dirty laundry for all to see, and better yet no more dashing with the newly clean and dry garments through the rain and snow to get them back home.

So here I stand, decision firmly made: I choose not to schlep. I have seen the promised land and I am never going back to schlepping. If it must be that I am called upon to preform this thankless and never ending task so as to abide by my own hygienic standards, to say nothing of those of society at large, I hereby resolve to never schlep again.

As God is my witness, as God is my witness its not going to lick me. I'm going to live through this and when it's all over, I'll never have to schlep again. No, nor any of my folk. If I have to lie, steal, cheat or kill. As God is my witness, I'll never have to schlep laundry again.
(Insert swelling Gone with the Wind theme here)

My favorite things

I have been doing some work from home these last couple days and while I work I like to watch movies, more listen to than watch, but I like to have something on in the backgroud to keep it from being too quiet. Now since I tend to do this work from the bottom of a pile of warm, fuzzy blankets on my couch on on my bed I prefer to watch/listen to long-ish movies so that I don't have to climb out of my nest too often. Today's movie choice was the classic The Sound of Music and listening to Julie Andrews sing about strudel and silk dresses made me think about the things in life that make me happy, and I was overcome with the desire to share my crazy little list.

I love the sound of thunder. There is something powerful, yet soothing about that booming noise that rattles the windows.

I love Nutella - bless the person who decided to combine chocolate and hazelnuts.

I love shopping bags. Shocker I know! I just love the feeling of walking out of a store with something new in my bag, and watching people eye my pretty bag wondering what is in there.

I love prezel bites. If you have not had the pleasure you must seek them out and try them imediately, they are salty, buttery pillows of happiness that are only improved upon when they are dipped in mustard.

I love Great Danes. I want like 3, they are so big and cute. I squeal like a little girl whenever I see one on TV and have to fight down the urge to run out and find one to bring home.

I love the way the tops of baby's heads smell, so sweet!

I love bubble baths. There is something so indulgent about soaking in steaming hot water and feeling all your muscles relax.

I love pedicures, I could paint my own toe nails but it is the whole experience that keeps me coming back. The foot massage, the soaking, all of it.

I love a cold pillowcase when I am going to sleep. I want the rest of the bed to be warm but I like the pillow to start of cold. I am a freak, I know.

I love show tunes, it is so cliche but they make me happy and I love that I know the score of at least 50 musicales by heart.

I love the smell of coffee brewing, there is nothing that wakes you up like the smell of coffee.

I love Diet Pepsi, no revalation I know.

I love hammocks and sometimes contemplate replacing my matress with one.

I love Peeps, but only the yellow chicks - I am a purist that way.

I love creepy pieces of classical music like Toccata and Fuge in D Minor and the Symphonie Fantastique, they send the coolest chills down my back.

I love to snuggle.

I love a good crying movie, something that really turns on the water works. After a good cry I feel cleansed.

Last but definitely not least I love shoes - I just get so excited by a great pair of shoes. Maybe if I could really explain what it is that I love so much I could control it but all I have to say is that if this is wrong, I don't want to be right.

Feliz Navidad!

Only two more days and I am on my way to a beautiful California Christmas!

Sans snow.

But before I get on that jet plane, hopefully on time, I wanted to take a minute to say Merry Christmas to you all. May this Christmas season bring happiness and warmth to your heart, and may that light stay with you into next year.

I wish you many new shoes, delicious food, happy family, and massive luck at the New Year's day sales. ;)

Kisses and a very Merry Christmas!

Education is like Veal.

On this day, December 16th 2009, I have at long last completed my college education.

It has taken me more years, gallons of Diet Pepsi, tears, tranquilizers and breakdowns than I care to count (or openly admit to), but it is finally over.

I was filled with a deserved sense of celebration, which I expressed by buying new boots...

(Aren't they beautiful?! It is okay to be jealous.)

...And as I walked out of my last class this morning and felt the icy wind of freedom swirl around my earlobes, I was overcome with a feeling of accomplishment and pride. This thing that I have worked toward for for so long is finally done.

The birdies flew, the sun shone, and for about 15 minutes all was well and happy.

Suddenly the happy feeling was gone; and in that moment of panic the universe came into razor sharp focus.

I have been turned out of the chute.

I have been driven down this chute that is the education system like a little veal for years, I could only see what they let me see, could only worry about things that pertained directly to getting down the chute. (Please forgive the cow metaphor, I was inspired by something my younger sister Phyllis said many years ago that helped make everything a little clearer) Well I have now reached the end of the chute and am being turned out into the wide pasture that is the world. The problem is: what do I do now?

So here is today's question: where do we go when we reach the place where the asphalt ends?

Great Expectations

Sometimes I wonder if I expect too much.

I mean if I am sitting at home at night, especially on a weekend, I am most likely consumed with frustration because I'm not out doing something fun and exciting. I honestly have no cause to be bothered by that, I mean I have a ton of movies - I mean a TON - all of which I love...why don't I watch one of those? I have a stack of books that I want to read at least ten miles high, I should start reading one.

Alas, I am still not satisfied. I saw this video on Facebook and thought to myself:

"Self: he is so right! You have so much, and yet it is never enough. You need to get back to the simple pleasures in life."

So I was meditating on this tonight while watching my friends son, and some quality Finding Nemo, and I look over and he has removed the cushioned top off one of our storage ottomans and he is sitting inside it, laughing. Just laughing his head off, standing up, sitting down, standing up again, sitting down again. It was SO CUTE!

And I felt ashamed. If he could be so pleased with something so simple, do I really need so much to be happy too?

The answer is no.

Now I am not going to sell my belongings, give away my purses and shoes, and make my home in a hollow tree in the woods - that would be nuts...what, it is cold outside!

But I am going to be better.

I don't want chivalry to die, I just want it to be more observant

I may have mentioned in a past post that automotive issues and maintenance are not really my thing...but if you missed that let me say it now: I consider cars to be a necessary evil in this world.

Now my car has suffered a safety breach in the under the hood region, that is to say something is broken, which has resulted in the coolant leaking out of my car when I am not looking. I have every intention of having this actually fixed but for now I have been able to manage the problem by topping off my coolant when the light goes on telling me it is too low.

So Thursday night I left work and headed to the grocery store and on my way there my coolant light came on. After expelling a disgusted sigh I made a mental note to refill the coolant after I had done my shopping so that the engine had some time to cool off before I started poking around under the hood. Well I did my shopping and in the blinding setting sunlight I popped the hood of my poor little car and warily approached the cap of the coolant tank.

Here I think it is important to note that on the cap of the coolant tank it says that contents are EXTREMELY HOT and UNDER EXTREME PRESSURE.

So I twisted the cap ever so slightly to the left and listened until the sounds of escaping pressure subsided, I then removed the cap completely. Ugh! If you have ever smelled hot coolant (I am aware of how silly that sounds) you know that the odor rising to my delicate nose was not pleasant by any stretch of the imagination. I then opened the coolant bottle-jug-thing and started pouring it into the tank.

While in the midst of this delicate procedure, I suddenly notice this random guy walking up to me and he says:

"You should have your engine on while you do that."

Um, there are very few things that I know how to do on my own with regard to car care, but I think this is one I can handle as it seems to have more to do with common sense than actual automotive knowledge - it is probably a bad idea to have the engine on when I am pouring liquid into this tank where said liquid is made hot in the process of doing its job when the engine is on.

So I look at him and in the politest tone possible I say:

"Oh no it's okay, I am just topping off my coolant."

He says again:

"Ya, you need to have your engine on for that. Why don't you go turn it on."

I am all for chivalry. If you see me stuck on the side of the road with a flat tire or an actually non-working car please feel free to stop and lend a hand, but at this point I was like; thanks for the offer to help, but I've got this.

I suppose he finally got it that I was not going to start my car, so he just gave me this look and walked away. I then finished adding coolant to my car, got in, and drove away - the entire time mentally shaking my head not really sure why he seemed so bugged when it was me who was being annoyed.

Was that the right reaction? I am just not sure, the entire episode kind of confused me to be honest.

So that is my story, and if you are in the mood to hear another tale of a man offering a woman help when she really didn't need it you should read this, and know that I wish my story telling skills were just as entertaining.

Another stop on the road to self discovery

WARNING:
This post may bother, worry, disgust, or horrify some readers. Adult supervision is advised.

When people ask what my favorite movie is, it kind of upsets me because I am completely unable to provide an answer. How could I possibly pick a favorite movie, I would no sooner be able to pick a favorite shoe in the Nordstrom shoe department.

Now this may be a round about way of saying it but if I had to, as in life or death decision/declare or get pushed into the volcano, pick a favorite movie of all time...I think it would have to be...

Ok, these two:

Funny Girl, and The Way We Were

So it isn't ONE favorite.

My blog, my rules.

Deal with it.

These movies have one major thing in common. Do you know what it is? I'll tell you:

BARBARA STREISAND

(Warning: proceed with caution)

I love Barbara! I do. I really do! Now I know that there are many out there who are unable to appreciate the wonder that is Barbara. Who cannot fully appreciate her trademark nails and eye makeup, and the way her voice makes the world just a little bit brighter, but I don't care. I love her.

And today I made an amazing discovery: Barbara and I have the SAME BIRTHDAY! I always felt that Barbara and I were linked somehow, now I know why. Just one more reason to love her.

So what is your favorite movie? I am always interested in expanding my movie repertoire and I would love to know what other people love watching over and over again, until the DVD is exhausted and racked with seizures that make watching it any longer impossible.

Share on dear friends, share on.

And then there were two...

The blessed cupcake book has a fraternal twin!

THE COOKIE BOOK!

I'm so happy.

Now although I am generally of the school that scoffs and sniffs at people rushing, pushing, thrusting and shoving Christmas into full focus before Thanksgiving...I have to say:

I can hardly wait for Christmas so I can make the AWESOME holiday cookies in this book!

In case you are wondering, I know I have a problem.

I can just feel my sister shaking her head at me from across town.

It's okay, I know it's just jealousy.

Inspiration for a new project

Guess what, guess what, guess what!

I got a new cookbook last night, but not just any new cookbook: Martha Stewart's cupcake book.

Isn't it beautiful?

Now I know that there are some out there that do not approve of Martha, but I love her. All you have to do is look past her obsessive compulsive nature, and deplorable wardrobe, and what you will find is a marvelously creative woman with a talent for making beautiful and delicious things.

Anyway, my love of Martha led me to the realization that I needed her cupcake book in order to be happy. This book holds 116 cupcake recipes, some filled and some frosted, some glazed and some dipped, and I intend to try them all.

Now while this idea may sound vaguely familiar, especially if you have been to a movie theater in the last few months, I assure you all that I am not stealing the idea from dear Julie - I will merely share with you my failures and successes as I work my way through this entire cookbook. I also have grand and glorious plans to purchase a new battery for my camera so that I can even provide some pictures for you.

That's it. I just wanted to share my great happiness in my new cookbook with you, and warn you ahead of time that at least one more "new cookbook" celebration post is in this blogs future.

But that is all I will say for now.

The Bubblewrap Chronicles

First of all I feel it necessary to admit, declare, confirm, proclaim, note, and divulge, that I HATE moving! Hate. Did you hear me? I said HATE!

You may remember the previous gripe on the subject of house hunting and moving, but now I can safely say that I had no idea what I was talking about! My past moving experience has been fairly limited, my first moving adventure was when I was 4. We moved to the house I completed my childhood in, and although I am sure it was very traumatic - the level of stress I suffered was relatively minimal...given the fact that I was 4...and that it wasn't across the plains...in a covered wagon.

The next move was from said childhood home to Utah. While most definitely traumatic, the whole boxes, clothing, housing thang was really the least of it. I am generally a stiff-upper-lip-kind-of-girl, but leaving the nest proved emotionally strong enough to crack even my steel facade. From there I did switch apartments in the complex I live in, but that wasn't a real move.

But this, this is insane. I have been working all day, and all I have succeeded in doing is making piles of shtuff that need to be transported across town! So here is my thought, I am thinking that I could adopt the Bedouin lifestyle and only own that which can fit on my camel's saddle. Huh, huh? What do you think? I mean that does mean that I would have to abandon the retail world, except for the occasional bazaar we pass, and that I would probably never have an occasion to wear my favorite cow-skin pumps again...but it could be fun.................ok even thinking about it is freaking me out!

Fine! Back to packing. UGH!

Cupcake Love

A couple of weeks ago I went on a magical journey to a beautiful and happy place. In this happy place I ate (okay devoured) some AMAZING cupcakes.

I had read about The Sweet Tooth Fairy bakery here in Provo from one of the many food blogs I like to read. I decided to check out their website and not long after that I resolved to visit it, and soon.

Finally the day arrived. My brother in-law was off fishing with his dad, so my sister and I staged a very important and scientific taste test of six of The Sweet Tooth Fairy's cupcakes.


Let me introduce you to the gang (clockwise from the top left): Double Fudge, Toasted Coconut, Lemon, Peanut Butter, Black & White, Red Velvet.

The Double Fudge cupcake had a delightfully dark chocolate cake with a dark and dangerous fudge frosting, all topped off with a Maraschino Cherry. I love Maraschino Cherries, don't know if I have ever mentioned it before, my sister thinks I am sick.

Toasted Coconut I think was my favorite, all of you "Chocolate is KING" people out there settle down - I am not jumping ship. Although I do love me so me chocolate anything, the Toasted Coconut cupcake was so complex and thrilling that it has to be given top billing. The cake was white cake, but it was dense like a yellow cake, then the frosting had the delightful flavor of coconut and almond all topped with the nutty toasted coconut that added color and texture to the whole experience.

The Lemon was out of this world! So often when I eat or bake "lemon" things it seems like the flavor just isn't all there. That wonderful sensation when you eat something so lemony that it makes you pucker, in a good way, many times seems like it is missing. Not in this little beauty! The cake is dense and filled with lemon zest, as is the frosting. The frosting is covered lightly in sugar and is topped by a quarter of a lemon to add to the lemon motif. Refreshing and rich at the same time, I think this one was my sister's favorite.

Originally we had saved the Peanut Butter one for Tyler, he love anything PB, but since he was not equal to the task of dispatching the entire cupcake on his own Lisa and I were there to lend a helping hand, we are oh so self sacrificing that way. The cake was dark chocolate with a peanut better frosting and topped with chopped up Reeses cups.

The Black & White was a brilliant contrast, hence the name, the cake was the same dark chocolate as the Double Fudge, but it was topped with the almond/coconut frosting that topped the Toasted Coconut cupcake. So simple, yet so impressive.

Last but not least the Red Velvet. Here I must add that I don't quite get the draw of Red Velvet cake, I mean all it is is chocolate cake colored red after all, nevertheless people are always going on about it. This cake was very moist and was barely able to support itself when weighed down by the heaving Cream Cheese frosting, but the chocolate/cream cheese combo always gets me, and I could not think ill of the little blushing cupcake.

All in all a very educational and low fat adventure but if you are looking for a little treat, check out the Sweet Tooth Fairy Bakery in Provo, your taste buds will thank you.

P.S. I found this shirt that I think I need-

I kinda love it, what do you think?

WARNING: Deep thoughts ahead - proceed at your own risk!

As I sat in my room a few minutes ago, I had an epiphany. Don't be distracted by the big word, it just seem appropriate as I am attempting to wax philosophical.

When I need to escape I have a few pet methods of applying mental Novocain:

1. Shopping, especially for shoes. "When I feel bad I like to treat myself. Clothes never look any good... food just makes me fatter... shoes always fit."
2. Baking. Baking requires concentration so one does not accidentally mix up the salt and sugar, or worse - forgets to add the chocolate. Everything should involve chocolate at some point, even if it means that I am popping chocolate chips while mixing up the rare non-chocolate dessert.
3. Eating - this requires no thought at all...which might by why it is so dangerous.
4. Reading - I truly relish the freedom an engrossing book gives you. If you allow yourself to be sucked it, and you are really lucky, you could avoid surfacing for hours.
5. This one is very potent. Sometimes when I am really in the "depths of despair", I do something so heinous - so monstrous - so wicked...

come closer and I will tell you....

closer...

closer...

I watch... The Thorn Birds.

All 8 hours. The pain, loss, sacrifice, tragedy and suffering.

So now, as I itemize all of these methods of mental anesthesia, I am struck by the realization that all my methods of escape are slightly self destructive. Should I be concerned? Nah! Scarlett had it right - I won't think about that now...I'll think about it tomorrow.

4th of July, and my sometimes insensitive sense of humor

First off Happy 4th of July!

I hope you all had a wonderful day filled with fun, family, friends, good food, and fireworks! I really love this holiday, and not just for the fact that it makes me yearn for Old Navy, American Eagle Outfitters, Gap, and Martha Stewart's patriotic creativity.

I am seriously so blessed to live in this country! (I put that part in just for you Val.) But, truly I am. Saturday morning I attended the Provo City parade, and although I do not personally relish the parade itself per se, I love to see the way that so many people are brought together to celebrate the freedoms we all enjoy. I also love to watch my little cousins sitting on the curb, three little boys sitting in a row clapping, laughing, and scrambling for the candy that gets thrown from the passing floats and cars. Seriously so adorable!

Well after the parade we adjourned to my cousin Ashley's house for a little BBQ with the fam and friends. Now the way family gatherings involving food play out in our family is that everyone gets assignments or signs up to bring part of the meal. Today I volunteered to bring dessert - confession I like to bring dessert if I can because it is the course I can most relate to, so I kind of hog it...sorry. Anyway, I told Ash I would bring dessert and then set to the task of coming up with the perfect patriotic dessert to bring.

Lucky for me, not so much for my waistline, my loverly friend Shem offered the idea of making one of her family's favorite desserts. It is genius! You make pie crust, for me that involves buying the Pillsbury pre made crust and unrolling it, bake it on a cookie sheet until cooked, it takes about 7-9 minutes in a 425 oven. Before baking the crust I scored it randomly with a paring knife to make it easier to break up, as well as pricking it with a fork all over to prevent bubbles and sprinkled it with granulated sugar.

Once the crust is baked and slightly cooled break it up into bite sized, or a little bigger, pieces. Now you will prepare your fruit. Today, in keeping with the holiday, I used sliced strawberries and whole blueberries that I tossed with sugar and a little lemon zest - but you could seriously do this with any fruit. Put a good portion of broken crust in a bowl and top with many spoon fulls of fruit.

Now, to truly complete the dish, you pour heavy cream over it all. Not whipped cream, the heavy cream before it is whipped up. Then you dig in! The berries are sweet and tart and the crust soaks up the cream to make a slightly mooshy blob of happiness. Following my short affair with this dessert , I decided that I would heretofore call this "Oklahoma Style Short-Cake". When I announced this decision Ashley looked at me with an expressions that can only be described as slightly appalled. Somehow when I said "Oklahoma Style Short-Cake" she heard "Local Homeless Style Short-Cake". Now for reasons that escape explanation this was instantly hilarious, maybe it was having to get up so early to be at the parade at 9, maybe it was the sun we had been liberally exposed to, but whatever it was we laughed long and hard about it. We are freaks like that.

So what, you may ask, is the point of all this? I will tell you; make Oklahoma Style/Local Homeless Style Short-Cake today, you will love it! Then while you are devouring this delightful dish contemplate this great country we all live in.

Twinkie Theory

Twinkies are delicious!

They are soft, and sweet, moist, and tasty. You tear open that crinkly plastic wrapper and your senses are assailed by the tempting aroma of this grocery isle treasure. You divest the Twinkie of its plastic prison, and admire its beauty. The rich yellow color, the convenient shape that makes shoveling them into your mouth so effortless.

Now is the moment you have waited for in such anticipation - the first bite. Delicately you sink your teeth into the supple sponge cake and taste, for the first time, the fluffy cream filling.

Oh, the bliss! The blinding moments of utter contentment!

I like Twinkies, I don't know if you got that.

Alas, for all their tasty perfection man, or woman in this case, can not live on Twinkies alone.

Now before I go on I feel it important to note that I cannot claim full credit for the following theory. It came to me, as if in a dream...okay more like the reality of family dinner. During said event the conversation turned to movies, one of my favorite subjects, and my Uncle Chad's use of Twinkie imagery inspired me. Thank you Chad!

Anyway, back to the task at hand.

There are times when we all get sick of the cold cereal/PBJ sandwich/cold pizza/cracker and cheese - meals held standing at the counter, and long for a good home cooked meal. Something wholesome and filling that you walk away from full and enriched. These are the times when your gas tank has been filled and you are given the power to dig deep and do great things and feel the drive to think and make the world a better place that it is.

Are you lost yet? I have a point I promise!

Well just as there are times when we crave substance, sometimes we just want a Twinkie. It has no nutritional value, in fact it may be of negative nutritional value, it does not fill you up, and you don't often light upon brilliant realizations during the consumption of a Twinkie. But sometimes...sometimes a Twinkie is just what you need - the opportunity to escape and enjoy a few precious moments away from the meat and potatoes world.

This is Twinkie Theory. It can be applied to just about anything, but I found it most applicable to movies and books. My mother, sisters and I had a little girls only day this past week, and we went to see The Proposal. It was a Twinkie. It was adorable! Light, funny,romantic, made me cry - shocker I know. I knew walking into the theatre and taking my reclining seat, exactly what I was going to see play out on the screen for the next 2-ish hours. But that is exactly what I wanted, and it delivered.

Being an English major I hear so many of my class mates and teachers rant about all the "good" literature and movies there are out there to be consumed, and how they cannot bear to hear of people who would waste the precious time we have on this planet by dallying with less-than-Earth-moving-drivel! To them I say that I am sorry. Don't get me wrong, I still love my Fillet Mignon and roasted summer vegetables with a dark chocolate torte for dessert, but sometimes you just need a Twinkie.

So, my wish for each of you is that you go forth today in search of a Twinkie to brighten up your life. It need not be an actual Twinkie, but you know what I mean.

Blog Stalking: A 21st Century Pastime

Hello.

My name is Allyson Kuykendall...and I stalk food blogs, written by people I don't even know, in my spare time.

(Unison: "Hi Allyson")

When faced with a spare minute or 60, one of my favorite things to do is to skip lightly from blog to blog in search for new recipes to feed my culinary obsession. It's so much fun to see what ideas other people have, what recipes they have tried, how they liked them-or didn't like them, which cookbooks they are reading, and what new cookware is available.

But do you know what really bugs me about these blogs that I love so very, very much?

I will tell you.

It drives me totally, completely, wholly, and all consumingly (don't worry, I know that I totally just made the word up) insane when people talk about something they made and neglect to share the recipe! It's just mean, that is what it is.

So here and now I vow, to anyone who cares at all, to always share my recipes with anyone who is in the least bit interested.

Whew! You know, Kyra Sedgwick is right! Confession is good for the soul.

Spa day, is a special day!

Last week my little sister Phyllis turned 21. So in honor of such an auspicious occasion my other sister Lisa and I treated her to a relaxing spa day. I love going to the spa, I always come out so relaxed and at one with the world. It is so nice to be pampered and taken care of, and there is nothing like that delicious tiredness that comes from doing nothing but relaxing.

Well, since my fancy financial planning classes tell me that going to the spa every week is not a smart use of mah muney - I have been trying to come up with what you could call (roll eyes up and then right to left), DIY spa treatments. Here goes...

*Sauna Treatment*

Now since sitting in the sauna is basically sitting in a really, really, dry, hot space - this is one of the easier treatments to replicate. All you need to do is park your car somewhere in the direct sun (I suggest the Kalahari desert) and let it sit there and preheat for about 6 hours. Once the car has reached the approximate internal temperature of 160F, you are all set!

As quickly as possible open the door and hop in so the heat doesn't have a chance to escape. You will probably be a little...uncomfortable at first, but just relax and embrace the heat, allow it to work its magic and focus on sweating out all your toxins. Voila! A near authentic spa treatment that didn't cost a dime.

Well that's all I've got for now but stay tuned, there's more on the way.

Allyson in Financial Land...

So I am, somewhat reluctantly, enrolled in this financial planning class that was being offered at work, and today was the first of our four meetings to be held over the next four weeks. During said class our instructor, I will call him "K", kept asking questions like: "Where are you?", "Where are you going?", "How will you get there?"; and as I sat there in that room I was overcome by a feeling of empathetic sisterhood with Lewis Carroll's Alice. Too many questions to which I had no...yup no answers.

Anyway, while sitting in this class, taking copious notes, K stated that "comfort spending" is a big No, No.

(Insert sound of pins dropping, crickets chirping, bull frogs, whatever!)

WHAT!

I was shocked. All that I though I knew about the world suddenly changed in an instant. The rotation of the Earth slowed slightly. No comfort spending?! But that is one of my favorite things, one of the only things that can soothe the wounded and cranky beast in my psyche!

Now I really wish I could have seen the look on my face, actually come to think of it I am probably better off not having seen the carnage, but my sister obviously saw it (by the way my sister and her husband are taking the class as well) and she ever so gently reached a hand over to cover my clammy, ice cold one, and gave it a squeeze. She said that it was going to be okay, I don't believe her.

So here is the real point of all this psychotic rambling: Is it possible to be happy without compulsive pleasure spending? I just don't know, but I will consult with the White Rabbit, the Cheshire Cat, the Mad Hatter (especially him, I hear he made a line of fabulous hats for the Kentucky Derby one year), Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum, and get back to you.