Musical Monday - Hallelujah

Happy Monday!  It's a short work week; YAY!

This weekend was pretty busy.  Saturday morning and early afternoon I went and test drove cars for JC.  I ended up putting a deposit on one and now just need to help him get all the loan paperwork together.  I'm most impressed with the fact that I was able to talk the manager down in his price a little.  Go me!

Saturday night was a field trip to see New Moon and eat at PF Changs with the girls.  We had a blast!  A full review will be coming on Wednesday.  :-)

Most of Sunday was cleaning.  It's been a stressful few weeks and I've neglected some of the cleaning; it was time to catch up.  With the exception of a little laundry (which never seems to end, btw) I'm all set.  The rest of Sunday was some Christmas shopping.  I'm still on a mission to finish my Christmas shopping by Thanksgiving.

This week's song is Jeff Buckley's Hallelujah.  Great song.  They used it last week on DWTS and my favorite use of the song was on West Wing. 

Twilight/New Moon Products

Today was going to be my review of New Moon.  However, I realized that there are way too many of you who still want to see the movie (BTW, I want to see it again!) for me to review and accidentally give away a spoiler (but, if you read the books you already know what's going to happen anyway).

Instead, I decided to share with you two links to Twilight/New Moon products.

1. The top ten most bizarre pieces of merchandising It is sad to admit that I actually want to see the Twilight cookbook?
2. The 30 most disturbing Twilight products This has a few repeats from the above list... Also it has a few things that I'm strangely OK with and one item that I just can't believe. See if you can guess what it is.

OK, my fellow Twilight saga junkies.  Did you see New Moon yet?  Are any of these items on your holiday wish list?  Have any other links to funny/odd promotional items?

People Magazine's Sexiest Man Alive

I heard that I was getting a subscription to People magazine for Christmas, but was a little surprised when I got home from work and found this year Sexiest Man Alive issue in my mailbox. 

I always wonder how they choose the winner each year.  It is a random drawing; a democratic vote; are there celebrities that are actually lobbing People magazine for the honor??  Does anybody else ponder this?  Or am I completely alone?

Anywho.... YAY to Johnny Depp.  He's a good actor, and seems like a nice guy.  But... to me, I don't look at him and see "sexiest man alive".  Do you?

If I had my druthers, I'd choose Ryan Reynolds....

Or Channing Tatum....

Or Alexander Skarsgard.

Who is on your sexiest man alive list?

Going Public... Part 2

Thank you all for your feedback and advice following this post.  I took everything you said to heart and thought.  A lot.

The more I thought; the more I realized that I don't need to change a single thing.  Would going public mean I could (in theory, mind you) become a famous blogger one day?  Yep...in a planet far, far away that might be a possiblity. 

However, as much as  I like to know that someone is reading what I have to say, I don't like being the center of attention.  It just isn't me.  I love all of you.  Right now, I don't think I need to tell friends and family that I blog for fun. (Fine; it's bordering on obsession.)  The people that really matter to me are already reading my blog, or are at least aware of its existance.

I don't want to have to sensor myself.  I never purposely set out to hurt anyone's feelings - but from time to time, I need to vent and be selfish.

I'm happy to get new followers - but all you fabulous ladies are enough.  Seeing comments from you makes me smile; I don't need anything more.  :-)

Romance Novels: The Literary Walk of Shame

You all know that I'm a reader. 

Give me a book; almost any book, and I shall read it, retain it and form an fairly lengthy and opinionated book review of it.  (REALLY, I've had some FB friends ask how in the world I can keep adding books to my visual bookshelf and writing so many reviews.)

What I don't share that often is that I like romance novels.  Not all the time... but just like a craving for sugar...the need to read a romance novel strikes me from time to time.

Oh, don't look at me in that tone of voice!  It's a multi-million dollar industry.  I'm not the only one reading these suckers!  And, at this point, my mind can't get any more corrupt!

I blame my grandmother (dad's mom).  And my mom's older sister.  It's all their fault, I tell you!! Kirstren will back me up on this.  From an early age *ahem* - like 10-ish, these books were fed to us.  "Here, read this", "You're done with your summer reading list - go pick something off my bookshelf", "I'm coming up to visit and I have an ENTIRE suitcase of romance novels to give you". 

Now, I'm telling you all of this in a preface to my trip to B&N on Monday.

I was perusing the new releases, and got sucked in by a new romance novel.  Why, you ask?  Well that craving hit and there was dachshund on the front.  That sealed the deal.  Thing is - it was at that moment that one of the staff members wandered up to me and asked what I was looking for.  "Umm; nothing!  I was just looking to see if you put out any of the Christmas classics yet."

I'm such a bad liar!  When I finally decided to cash out and leave - the same guy was at the register.  Luckily, he declared my romance novel a true classic for the "ripped bodice" crowd.  :-)

*Note to self: Order romance novels ONLINE next time!*

Anything on the subject of romance novels that you'd like to share?

(Almost) Wordless Wednesday

Look at these!!  The amazing Jane knew that I've been having a rough few weeks, so she sent me chocolate covered strawberries from Edible Arrangements.  Two of my favorite foods in a box of yummy deliciousness!

Aren't you jealous?!?!

She really has become of my besties over the last six months and I am so appreciative of her.  She's smart and funny and isn't shocked by the juvenile comments that I leave her.  Heeheehee :-)

Oh, and she's having a giveaway.  So drop by, enter her giveaway, and help me thank her!

I shall go back to wordlessness next Wednesday.  I promise!

Tuesdays At The Table - Rich n' Creamy Potato Casserole

Hi ladies!  The holidays are coming fast and furious.  It's amazing how fast this year is flying.  :-)  I was bowling last week (it's geek chic; trust me!) when my friend Heather asked if I could share a side dish or two in the coming weeks. 

Your wish is my command, Heather! *snicker*  The holidays aren't the holidays without some mashed potatoes, and this is a little twist on it.

Rich n' Creamy Potato Casserole

6 medium potatoes
2 cups sour cream

2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

4 tablespoons butter, melted

3 green onions, thinly sliced

1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper

Place potatoes in a large saucepan and cover with water.  Bring to a boil.  Reduce heat; cover and cook for 15-20 minutes or until tender.  Drain and cool.  Peel and grate potatoes; place in a bowl.  Add 3/4 of the butter and all other ingredients. 

Transfer to a greased baking dish.  Drizzle with remaining butter.  Bake, uncovered, at 350 for 30-35 minutes.

What's cooking in your kitchen?