That's 1.5 Hours I'll Never Get Back

No, I'm not talking about the State of the Union. (I know better than to waste time on that.) I'm talking about this...

The entire movie took place in the first 45 minutes.
Once the "is she or isn't she a Russian spy" was revealed, the rest of the movie was just dumb.

I certainly hope "Inception" is better than this because it's on the way.

Snow!

With what greeted us when we woke this morning, we had to get out and enjoy!

(Words taken from Snow: by Roy McKie and Philip Eastman)

Snow!

Snow! Snow!
Come out in the Snow.

Snow! Snow!
Just look at the snow!
Come out! Come out!
Come out in the snow.

I want to know
If you like snow.
Do you like it?
Yes or No?

Do you like it in your face?
Yes! I like it any place.

What is snow?
We do not know.
But snow is lots of fun,
We know.

(I think I need some snowpants.)

If I had been in Vegas...

... and read my brilliant blog predictions for the Miss America Pageant, and placed all my money on Miss Nebraska, I would be a rich lady today.

A few comments.

I was a little dumbfounded by Miss Hawaii's response that she considered herself a "citizen of the world" first, and not a citizen of the U.S. or Hawaii.
Really?
This is not Miss World pageant, it is Miss AMERICA!! (To cut her some slack, it was a dumb question.) She had a pretty gown though.

Miss Arkansas did a very good job with her ventriloquist talent.

I wish I could play Chopsticks on the piano as well as Miss Nebraska did. Come to think of it, I wish I could play the piano.

Next Pageant: Miss USA scheduled for May

Happy Birthday!

Today is my Mom's birthday. Happy Birthday, Mom! You could be here celebrating with your wonderful grandkids, but instead you are soaking up the rays in the only state that doesn't have snow!! Hopefully, Dad will take you someplace nice, or at least let you order something that isn't on the Dollar Menu. See you soon!

There She Is...

Miss America.
It's on tomorrow night, and I will definitely be watching.
Since the pageant moved to TLC, I haven't been able to watch because we don't have TLC. I guess the ratings were pretty good because ABC will be broadcasting this year.

For those of you unfamiliar with how this scholarship competition works, talent plays a big role. If you don't "bring it", you're not going to win. You could look like Megan Fox, but if you sing like Roseanne, forget about it.

Now, for my predictions. I'm sure the anticipation is killing you. Well, I have it narrowed down to four...

Miss Nebraska
Winner of one preliminary talent competition
Platform: Eating Disorders
Career Ambition: Judge and Politician
This gal is 17 years old!!
If she can, like, communicate without, like, using the word "like", like, 3 or 4 times in a sentence, she, like, has an excellent chance to, like, win.

Miss Oklahoma
Platform: Leadership & Character Development
Career Goal: Be a sports broadcaster for the Olympics (I like this girl :-)
Won a preliminary competition in Fitness (looks good in a swimsuit)
Talent: Ballet
Since she wants to be a sports broadcaster, her communication skills should be excellent. Being from Oklahoma, she is more than likely conservative (I don't know this, I'm guessing.) Judge Joy Behar will not like that.

Miss North Carolina
Platform: V Foundation for Cancer Research
Talent: Contemporary Clogging (is that fancy for tap dancing?)
She won a preliminary talent competition.
Career Ambition: High school Math teacher

Miss Rhode Island
Platform: Mind Power-Ensuring our Future
Winner of a preliminary talent competition
Talent: Vocal
Career Ambition: Public Service
I think she resembles the current Miss America.

Table Talk

I had to laugh at a portion of last night's dinner conversation. Carlie got on the subject of her birthday last year and how much fun she had at the American Girl Store. The conversation continued...

Carlie: "Let's move to Chicago, but it might be a long drive to my school every day."

Me: "I'm sure Chicago would have a Classical school."

Noah: "I want to move to Chicago."

Carlie: "Yeah, I can go to the American Girl store everyday."

Me: "Daddy doesn't like Chicago."

Carlie: "We need to move to Chicago."

Me: "Obama lives in Chicago."

Carlie: "What? Are you for real?"

Me: "Well, right now he lives in D.C., but he will be moving back to Chicago in a few years."

Carlie: "Ugh, Obama!"

Noah: "Obama!"

Carlie: "If I hear the name Obama again, I am going to be sick!"

Brief pause

Noah: "Obama! Obama! Obama! (pause) Are you sick, Carlie?"

Mike and I about fell out of our chairs. I think we need to keep a video camera running during dinner. Noah is quite the comedian.

Sniff Sniff

A house that I have had my eye on for awhile sold recently.
Sadness.
That's okay. We have to sell our house first, and it isn't even on the market yet.
It is promising to know that it sold for WAY under what they were asking. Of course, if our house would sell for way under what we would ask, moving would not be an option.

If someone who bought that house happens to stumble upon this blog, you have a very beautiful home.

If you don't stumble upon this blog, I hope the sale falls through, and the house goes back on the market.

Netflix Instant Play

Last night I watched a good movie on Netflix Instant Play. I really like this feature they offer, but it does get a little uncomfortable sitting in the computer chair for nearly two hours.

Here is the plot summary taken from the Netflix website...

"A Christian version of The Big Chill, this drama explores the lasting impact a group of close friends has on one another despite drifting apart over the years. Nine old pals return to their hometown to attend the funeral of one of the group, where they alternately connect and clash in the face of their disparate lifestyles and worldviews. Meanwhile, engaged Jeremy finds himself drawn to his old flame."

Souper Sunday

After a few weeks off, I have another recipe that is perfect for Sunday afternoons watching football. This came from the Top Secret Restaurant Recipes 3 book by Todd Wilbur. Today's delectable dish is Red Robin's Homemade Chili. I love chili and would have to say that this is probably one of the best I have ever had!

I can't say for sure if it is a clone of Red Robin because I haven't tried the chili at Red Robin. Usually I am stuffing my face with unlimited french fry refills...


2 pounds ground beef (at least 15% fat)- I used 80/20
1-1/2 cups diced white onion (about 1 medium size)
3/4 cup diced poblano chile (about 1 medium size)*
2 T diced canned chipotle chiles**
4 t minced garlic (~4 cloves)
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
2 15-ounce cans red kidney beans (with liquid)
15 ounce can diced tomatoes
3 T chili powder
2-3/4 t salt
1 T pepper
1-1/2 t dried oregano
2 cups chicken broth
1-3/4 cups water

*These, along with the canned chipotle chiles can be found at any Mexican grocery store.
**I would highly recommend rinsing the chipotle chiles when you take them out of the can. I did not, and the adobo sauce made it a bit too spicy for the kids. (Not for me, just the kids.) They still ate it, but I had to add a lot of cheese.



1. Brown ground beef in large skillet. When the beef has just a bit of pink, add onion, poblano, chipotle, and garlic. Continue cooking until the onion is beginning to turn translucent on the edges.



2. While the meat is browning, heat up the oil over medium heat in a large saucepan or Dutch oven, then whisk in flour to make a roux. Cook for 2-3 minutes until the roux turns a tan color. Add the ground beef mixture and remaining ingredients, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 3 hours, or until meat is tender and chili is thick, stirring occasionally.





3. Serve 1 cup of chili in a bowl and garnish with shredded cheddar and crumbled tortilla chips.