Meat Candy

Even from the name it sounds completely disgusting but I promise this was one of the most glorious things I ever tasted! Meat Candy!

This little bit of heaven on a toothpick came from my best friend's aunt (who loves to make odd but yummy things like fried biscuits). It also won best recipe at the West Virginia State Fair (this may be the thing that makes you not want to create it but do it anyway!).

Here goes:

1 pound of bacon

1 package of little smokies sausages

1 cup of brown sugar

Cut strips of bacon in thirds. Rap bacon around smokie and secure with toothpick.

Dump brown sugar in a zip-top bag. Place few meat skewers in bag and toss to coat.

Important: place brown sugared meat on foil-lined (best to use that non-stick foil in a double layer) pan.

Bake at (well, here's where it gets tricky...I don't know the back at temp or time so I looked it up on All Recipes and got 350-400 degrees for 20-40 minutes). Basically, you bake these treats until the bacon gets crispy and the sugar gets bubbly.

This will be the best thing you ever eat! But be warned...once you start you can't stop. I ate too much meat candy last week but that's not stopping me from making it for my staff Christmas party.

120-something

I have a cold.

Today I ran out of cold medicine and went to Target to buy some more. I chose to purchase enough meds to create my own mini meth lab if the medications actually contained the correct stuff. As I got them outside of the pharmacy, no meth could be produced.

As the checker girl was scanning my items, she looked at me and asked, "What's your date of birth?" I assumed this was needed because of the exorbitant amounts of drugs I had. I said 12/01/7_. She punched in the 12 and then the 01. Shoot...she messed up. Punched it in again then looked at me and said, "So is it 19 or 18 or what?"

Now I just did have my birthday and maybe I do look a bit older but are you kidding me? 120-something? Do I really look like I was born in the 1800's? Do you know how far back on my family tree you'd have to go to get someone born in the 1800's? My great-great-grandmother!

If I hadn't needed the meds so bad I might have said something witty. Instead I just muttered, "19" and left.

Attack of The Pantyhose

Friday was my birthday...it was a truly amazing day. It started off with a nice breakfast of waffles and bacon and a couple of games of Battleship with my boyfriend. The two of us then went down to the art district of my city for lunch. After eating our fill of fried (fried shrimp, french fries, and hushpuppies) we walked around an art gallery. This led us to the locally famous ice cream shop where we split a tasty pralines and cream (which I loved and he didn't appreciate so I got to polish it off...this never happens!).

Taking the back door out of the shop, due to the massive amounts of prep school kids who filtered in quite suddenly, we found ourselves face-to-face with a carousel. The jazz guy (aka boyfriend) bought us tickets and we rode. I was on a wolf and jazz guy on a frog...there were your traditional carousel horses but come on, seeing your boyfriend ride a frog is quite amusing!

After walking around a second art district we were back home tying up the Battleship tournament (he couldn't stand that I won the first two games). Then it was time to ready ourselves for a nice dinner out at a very fancy restaurant (our usual Mexican was out for this special day).

I was trying to be secretive and somewhat alluring about my birthday outfit so while my boyfriend was showering, I was getting half dressed...the undergarment part. I had planned to wear a black dress and tall boots. Now I'm the kind of girl who has big calves. Even when I was younger and skinnier, I had big legs. So in order to wear tall boots I have to get the kind without a zipper. In order for them to stay upright and not slink down to my ankles, I have to wear thin socks. Since I had planned on the dress, I felt it necessary to wear pantyhose.

The thing about me wearing pantyhose is I don't do it. Ever. I hate them, always have. I wear dress pants every day just so I don't have to think about pantyhose. The last time I wore them was for my best friend's wedding two years ago! I'm pretty sure the one's in my sock drawer, in the unopened package, were the backup pair for that event.

But it was my birthday and we were going out fancy so I thought I could suck it up and wear them so my boots would look hot. Even though it had been two years since I had worn hose, I remembered how to put them on without snagging them on my nails or gouging a hole into them. Only when I was putting on the first leg, I kept getting stuck at the knee. The hose were tight and I was afraid I was going to have to cut myself out. So I pushed them down to the calf and tried on the other leg. That one fit fine. I pulled up the first leg again and still I had a pantyhose tourniquet cutting off the blood flow to my lower extremity. I imagined myself, wrapped in a towel and pantyhose laying on the floor, with my hold-your-gut-in underwear poking out screaming for my boyfriend to rescue me and wasn't too fond of him finding me in that particular garment!

When I got my wits about me I took off the killer leg and started over. This time everything worked just as it is supposed to. How I ever managed the constricting circle of hose I will never know.

With pantyhose on (not quite as they are supposed to fit...I had that lovely experience of the crotch of the hose not making it to my actual middle), boots up tall, and dress flowing, the two of us dined like Bossy and her husband (I imagined I was her when looking over the menu). We started with a glass of sparkling wine, which was very tasty. I ordered the seafood bisque, he the Caesar salad. Then came my delicious filet with garlic mashed potatoes, grilled vegetables (all of which I liked, a rare occurrence), and a cabernet-thyme sauce. To finish the restaurant portion of the evening, instead of truffle cake, which did look exquisite, I had an amaretto sour (one of my favorite girlie drinks).

As we were leaving the restaurant, jazz guy wanted to talk with the piano and bass players providing the live music (I hoped this was to make a contact in the area). Turns out, the bass player was the uncle of the great bass virtuoso Edgar Meyer (a favorite of mine and jazz guy). This made my evening...until jazz guy made me a chocolate pizza for dessert (I instructed but he did the actual preparing).

The day was superb. And after one final game of Battleship, I was declared the champion. It was the best birthday yet. And next year, I plan to go without hose!

Big Stone Gap

I used to be an avid reader. I grew up engrossed in books. When reading I found myself transported to whatever time, whatever lifestyle the book lead me. As I have gotten older, I still love books. I buy them all the time. BUT I rarely read them. When I'm not at work or at some work function, I find little desire to think about reading. I do miss it but sometimes not enough to take up a book and time for me.

I used to be an avid reader but now I am an avid listener. I am in my car quite a bit not only for my job but also because my lovely boyfriend lives 100 miles away. When I was in graduate school, a good 6 hours from my country home, I discovered books on tape. I would go to the public library and check out enough to get me home and back. Usually the books were quite good and they didn't leave me with the "I can't listen to one more cd" feeling.

I still find audio books fulfilling. And I can usually get through an abridged version in one weekend trip to the jazz musician's house. I reserve unabridged titles for my trips back to the country.

On my way back from the mountains after Thanksgiving this year, I popped in a new book, "Big Stone Gap" by Adriana Trigiani. I bought this book for two reasons: it reminded me of home and I owned the paperback but have never read it.

This book turned out to be wonderful. It was read by the author which at first annoyed me...I didn't like her voice...but ultimately I found comfort in her subtle lisp and country pronunciation. The story was beautiful and I often found myself tearing up or letting the full on sob flow (this can prove tricky as I listened to this masterpiece while driving).

I finally finished this work this morning...in my car...in my work parking lot. This was one of those stories that I kept thinking about throughout the day. I found myself transported into the life of Ave Maria. In her story I heard a few similarities to my own but most importantly I was once again transported out of my everyday and into something magical.

This is why I miss books. The transporting to another place. This is also why I don't read them as much. I get lost in other lives in other places and I forget how to be me. I become so absorbed in someone else's life, I do not know how to function in my own...until their story is over.

If you have already found this treasure you are lucky. If you too have missed the wonder of Big Stone Gap (published in 2000), find it. Whether you hold it in your hand or hear it in your car, it is well worth your time. Enjoy.

Filtered Water Dispenser

I have a filtered water dispenser in my refrigerator. For many of you this may not seem like a big deal or an interesting topic for that matter. Know that this is the punch line and the story is as follows:

During the summer of 2005 I bought a house...all by myself...very grown-up. When writing the contract for the house, my realtor and I asked for the refrigerator, a basic freezer on top model in white, to be included. It was.

As I stated, this is a basic refrigerator. Nothing special. It does have an ice maker with a rapid fill for parties but other than that it's plain. But it does the job, holds my food and diet dr. peppers, and keeps me eating at home.

Well, last Wednesday night my boyfriend came over to work on a project. As I usually do when he arrives, I asked if he would like something to drink (ever being the good hostess). Only this time when I bent down to get him a coke from the bottom shelf, I noticed a crystal blue button right under the freezer door (on the inside of the fridge part). Upon investigating I came across these words: Filtered Water Dispenser.

Right there in my plain refrigerator that I've had for over a year I found a water dispenser...and it works! And the water's pretty good! Of course I have no idea where the filter goes so I will soon (if not already) have just a water dispenser instead of a filtered water dispenser. Nonetheless, I have made a new discovery and feel a new proudness of my largest appliance.

(p.s. I feel virtually no stupidity for having this feature for over a year and not noticing it!)

Nothing Original

In line with my lovely fellow bloggers:

100 things about me...

1. Pinto beans and cornbread is my favorite meal.
2. I love Coke.
3. I usually drink Diet Dr. Pepper.
4. I have a coat problem...but I try to only buy them on sale.
5. My favorite candy is Reese's peanut butter specialties: hearts, eggs, pumpkins, trees.
6. I love to cook.
7. I love to throw parties.
8. I rarely do.
9. My greatest dream is to be somebody's momma.
10. My momma is incredible.
11. I can drive a tractor.
12. I hate jazz.
13. My boyfriend is a jazz musician.
14. I want to have the title "artist".
15. I'm afraid to give that title to myself.
16. I am a photographer...when I give myself time.
17. I love the country.
18. I live in the city.
19. I lived in a really big city for 3 years. It was great but I'm glad I'm gone.
20. I have 5 of the greatest friends ever.
21. My best friend keeps following me around the country. I usually have to leave the city before she does...but she manages to catch up.
22. I love her daughter and brag on her like she's my own.
23. I have 3 tattoos.
24. The first I got in college and can't believe I did...it didn't really hurt.
25. The second I got with 4 of those greatest friends...it really hurt.
26. The third I got with my male best friend...kinda liked it.
27. I have a male best friend...his words not mine...I was very happy when I heard them.
28. I try to be crafty. My mom is way better.
29. I have 3 pairs of sneakers but only use them to walk the dog.
30. My little brother is 25 and my little sister is 15. They're both getting too old.
31. I can't spell.
32. Giggling is my favorite!
33. I'm in a "book group" with women who have similar career paths as I do (or their husbands do!).
34. I'm supposed to journal for that group. I never do.
35. I attract older creepy men.
36. I have friends the same age as my mom.
38. I'm not good with names...it's important for my job.
39. I like to send cards.
40. I can't always remember.
41. I bought a house all by myself.
42. I bought a new car all by myself.
43. I am way more adult than I would have ever thought.
44. I love my first name.
45. I can't wait to get rid of my last.
46. I was named after my great-grandmother and my mother.
47. My grandma on my dad's side thinks I was named after her.
48. My other grandmother is my strength.
49. I call my mom's side of the family "my side" and my dad's side, "the (last name inserted)'s".
50. I have a bunch of really cool socks.
51. I never wear socks.
52. Martha Stewart would be proud of my organized closet.
53. Every art piece in my house I did...except for two.
54. I've traveled through the Middle East.
55. If I had to live in another country, it would be Jordan. I loved that place.
56. I've been to all the continents except for Australia and Antarctica.
57. Until a couple of years ago I'd never been past Nashville, TN, in this country.
58. Still haven't made it past Texas.
59. My best friend (guy version) knows too much about me.
60. My boyfriend gets jealous...he should be.
61. I'm growing my hair out so that my boyfriend will cut his.
62. It's not working.
63. I believe the things that touch your skin (underwear, sheets, and towels) should be quality, everything else can be discount.
64. I like to wrap presents so people don't want to open them.
65. I use Johnson and Johnson's baby soap in my shower.
66. I'm a whinny sick person.
67. I can't stop watching VH-1 on Sunday nights.
68. My current favorite tv show is "Criminal Minds".
69. I used to read a lot.
70. Now I just buy books and look at them.
71. I have to put myself on craft store restriction periodically.
72. I'm not a great money manager.
73. My office is usually very organized. For the last week it has been a mess. I can't work.
74. I like inspirational quotes.
75. I never keep them.
76. I have a box of "Good Thoughts" from people. Occasionally I look at it to feel better.
77. Post-it notes are the best invention ever!
78. Cheese is a beautiful thing.
79. I could eat Mexican food every day.
80. I have to wear glasses at work.
81. I have to wear a different set of glasses in the car.
82. I do not have to wear glasses outside of those places.
83. I quit highlighting my hair last year.
84. I forgot how pretty it was.
85. Sometimes I miss the funky-ness of the highlights.
86. I like a good pedicure.
87. I really enjoy a long massage.
88. My boyfriend is pretty good at giving them.
89. I wear earth colors...black and brown.
90. People notice when I wear something with color.
91. My dog pulls out the lesbian in other dogs.
92. I love to sing.
93. I won't do it in front of other people.
94. I color-code my calendar.
95. Rarely do I get to go home to the country.
96. I've had the same shoe size since the 4th grade.
97. I have a great rack.
98. Sometimes I wear shirts that show it off...at work; I probably shouldn't.
99. Steak is delicious.
100. I spend my fall Saturdays watching football and yelling at the television. Go Vols!

Itchy Sweater

Today I have on an itchy sweater. It's a nice thin burnt orange wool thing I picked up a few weeks ago. The color is lovely and I had the perfect necklace to match (which usually doesn't happen...or I don't even think about wearing something different from my normal James Avery). But I forgot the two most important things about this sweater: it itches and leaves orange fuzz on everything!

The fuzz is on my pants, my car seat, the back of my chair at work...it is probably covering my nice Victoria's Secret bra and is all over the shirt I have on under this stupid sweater, which I wore because I remembered it itched a little.

Itched a little! Little is not the correct term. It itches a little on my right elbow. It itches a little at the small of my back. It itches a little on my left forearm. And it itches a LOT across my entire chest.

And I must mention the pills. This sucker is pilling in long rows. So I have to periodically pull the fuzz balls off my sides and arms. How can one sweater produce so much fuzz and still have threads to hold the thing together? Plus, I have hardly moved from my desk today so what kind of motion am I making to produce these lovely fur balls?

I dare say this fall sweater won't be making an appearance again this season...but I'm sure the itching will continue next year when I pull out the thing and think "oh yeah, that's a great sweater!"

Run For The Border

As it turns out, my original post holds true...I am really not that interesting. Every now and then something happens that makes me think, "I need to blog about that." But then I sit at my computer and either can't think of the thing or it no longer sounds worthy of web space.

What I can tell you is this: My friend Mayor of Crazytown had a great blog today where she once again admitted to loving Taco Bell. I left a comment about also loving Taco Bell. It is rather tasty! And why would anyone not love gooey cheese, zesty filling, and a topping of sour cream?

Well now I need Taco Bell. This is not just a craving but a full blown need. My mouth is watering at the thought of a meximelt (my new favorite dish...the brilliance of a taco without the lettuce to mess it up!). I'll make a run for the border; you should too.

My New Love

When I was a little girl (and a teenager and adult for that matter) I had a fascination with makeup. I loved the stuff...still do. But I never liked to take the time to put it on. Once I finished with all my years of schooling, I decided that I had to act like an adult and wear makeup and a grownup watch (but that's another story).

Every day I pull out my makeup tray and apply. I have done this for some years now. Only I usually don't complete my face. I get everything done except for the lipstick. And then I never remember to put it on. I have this dolled up face with pale, chapsticked lips!

A few month's ago, I stumbled onto my new love: Lancome Juicy Tubes in Caramel Delight. I kept it in my makeup tray and applied it even before I got dressed. Lip problem solved. Except that I kept it in my makeup tray and as you probably know, gloss doesn't last.

Recently I went to a large city near my small city for a conference. I took one afternoon for shopping and found myself at Sephora where I purchased my next new love: Stila Lip Glaze in Brown Sugar (I like my lipstick dark but my gloss neutral). It was $20, which I still have a hard time believing I paid, but I love it. I now start my day with Stila and bring on the Juicy throughout.

Peanut Butter Pumpkins

I have a love/hate relationship with Halloween. Growing up in the country, we didn't have many neighbors (and except for my grandparents who lived next door, the closest ones were miles away). When Halloween rolled around, we would get all gussied up and go trick-or-treating. Since all of our neighbors lived far far away, we'd have to make appointments for a candy stop and travel by car. My little brother and I never quite got the loot most of our school friends did!

As a grownup, I finally live in a neighborhood. Last year I got all ready for Halloween. I bought candy and turned on the porch light (the universal symbol for "come and get it"). Not one soul came by for my yummy treats...not even the kid across the street who I told to come over!

Well this year I have decided not to buy the bags of gumballs and tiny heath bars. I am boycotting Halloween. However, in the back of my mind I keep thinking that I will now become the house with the mean lady who doesn't like kids and I will end up with a yard full of rotten eggs. But just as soon as I buy those candy treats, no one will come.

That's my hate relationship with the "holiday". What I love, though, are Peanut Butter Pumpkins. They are quite a tasty treat and every Halloween (and Valentine's day and Easter and maybe Christmas?) I go to the drugstore to buy my seasonal allotment of giant Reese's cups! It is those lovely creations that make my entire winter tolerable.

So whether you love Halloween or despise it, go eat a pb pumpkin. It makes life better.

Entering a New Realm

Not sure if it really is peer pressure, the fact that all my friends have a place to express themselves so that the rest of us (and the world) can read what's going on, or that maybe I possibly could be insteresting (which is highly doubtful), but this new realm is now mine. Luckily only a very few will every find this site and they already know that I'm not nearly as funny as them.

My only other thought for this day is to tell about the blog's name. In my heart of hearts, I wish I could have been the one who said it. But the statement, "It's my day to shine," came from a great friend who is one of the funniest people on the planet. This quip, which has been with me for years and makes me smile everytime I think of it, was in response to putting the correct change in a vending mechine and getting not one but two packs of gum in return! Even now it makes me giggle. My hope is that maybe I'll have some shining moments to share. And if not, there's always recollections of others' days to shine!