More evidence of spring....

Officially added to my bucket list:

The Blue Moon, Lima Peru
(be sure to check out the ceiling!)

click on the image to see a full 360° view

Yokohama at Night - What a Sight!!

It's official Spring has sprung! So what's it do today? Snow! Crazy Indiana weather!

Just before the snow fell, this weekend, I took some pics of my spring-like surroundings. Here's proof that spring IS in fact, in the air!

Are you happy? Do you live a contented, carefree life? How boring! What you lack are contrasts. You clearly need problems to solve.

Good news! Now you can ORDER A PROBLEM!

In my never-ending quest to fill Rich's stomach and keep the kid happy, I was looking around at different breakfast recipes. By far, Rich's favorite meal is a good hearty breakfast. He really loves biscuits and gravy but I'm not a big fan. So I'm always looking for something that we can both enjoy AND that will fill his tummy.

Check this breakfast tart out. I haven't tried it yet! I think tomorrow night just might be one of those breakfast for supper kind of nights!!

Bacon and Egg Breakfast Tart
From Williams-Sonoma

Ingredients

1 sheet puff pastry dough
1 egg, lightly beaten with 1 tsp. water
3 oz. crème fraîche
2 oz. shredded Gruyère cheese (I'll have to use mozzarella because we all know Rich doesn't like cheese - big, ol weirdo!)
Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
8 bacon slices, cooked until crisp
3 eggs
10 fresh chives, cut on the bias into 1/2-inch lengths

Directions

1. Thaw the puff pastry dough according to the package instructions.
2. Preheat an oven to 425°F. Lightly grease a baking sheet.
3. On lightly floured surface, roll out the puff pastry to 1/4-inch thickness and cut into a 10-by-8-inch rectangle. Place the pastry on the prepared baking sheet. Using a paring knife, score a border 1/2 inch in from the edge of the pastry. Using a fork, prick the center of the pastry. Brush the border with the egg wash and refrigerate for 15 minutes.
4. In a small bowl, stir together the crème fraîche and cheese, and season with salt and pepper.

Spread the crème fraîche mixture on the pastry, keeping the border clean. Lay the bacon on top, slightly overlapping the slices. Bake the tart for 14 minutes, rotating the baking sheet halfway through baking.

5. Remove the baking sheet from the oven and place it on a level heatproof surface. Using a fork, prick any large air pockets in the pastry. Crack the eggs onto the tart, spacing them 2 inches apart. Bake until the egg whites are set and the yolks are still soft, 7 to 10 minutes.
6. Transfer the tart to a platter, garnish with the chives and serve immediately.

Serves 4 normal sized people or just me and Rich, if you know Rich, you know what I mean!

Seriously, you know you want a chicken leg purse.

It's ok to admit it.

I don't know about this candle-a-bra, I suppose it has its uses....but the chandelearrings! Oh yeah! Who doesn't love light up earrings!! Check out more at weird and wacky stuff, like some fashionable stiletto roller skates!

I love going to World Market in Carmel. They have unusual food & decor from around the globe and a great selection of chocolate and candy from various parts of the world. Well, I'm officially addicted to two "new" candy bars (though I think they sold both of these in the "good ol days).

The first one is called Big Hunk.
It's a big ol hunk o'nougat with nuts in it - NOT drenched in chocolate. You just get the nougat. Oh yummy. Put this little hunk of goodness in the micro for 4-5 seconds and it softens right up to a chewy bit of deliciousness! The nuts just add that bit of crunchiness that it needs. Yummo!

The second one is called a Lion bar.


It's got crispy wafers and rice, along with just the right amount of chewy carmel all wrapped in a delectable milky chocolate. *gasp*

If your mouth is watering, just let me know, I'll pick up a spare bar for you of either (or both) and try not to devour it before I deliver it to you!

Does this remind anyone of the Schooner Tuna ad from Mr. Mom,

or is it just me?

Licenses Plate Renewal for the Anti-Social!

Well it's that time of year again. Time to go to the licenses branch, wait, pay loads of money and get a sticker. The Carmel licenses branch has always been a breeze, I really shouldn't complain. I can almost always walk in and almost immediately get service. I'm usually in and out in 15 minutes. That's nothing compared to what it used to be right?

Well, this time, I decided (being the anti-social, uber techie that I am) I'll try the self service terminal. Why go interact with people if I don't have to? So I stroll into the licenses branch lobby, on a Sunday mind you, walk up to the machine and less than 2 minutes (and $243.00) later, I have my new registration and sticker!!! In less than 5 minutes, I renewed my plates, Rich's plates and I was on my way!

These self service terminals ROCK!

Friends, family, don't ever spend another second of your time waiting at the BMV! All you need is the driver's licenses number of the person who owns the car, the last 4 digits of their social security number, your insurance info (if it's different than what's on your current registration) and a credit card (or E-check). I whizzed through it so fast Rich stood there laughing at me (sure, he's easily entertained).

Click here to find a self service terminal near you!

Ever thought about making a rainbow colored cake. No I don't mean colorful frosting, I mean a cake that is rainbow colored! Now you can!!!

Check out the recipe at
Omnomicon.com

Scanned pictures of sandwiches for education and delight....at Scanwiches.com.

Now that's funny!

Only a font nerd like me would think this is funny:

I've heard of walking ON a cloud, but never UNDER a cloud. Here's a concept umbrella that inflates into little billowy cloud-like pillows to protect you from the rain. Doesn't look like it would provide much protection - and what if there's wind too? Does it stay neatly over your head protecting that hairstyle you spent 45 minutes on that morning? I wanna know! I guess it would never flip inside out like traditional umbrellas...oh isn't that a pain in the butt when that happens? Check it out at Joons, Design and Experience.

We've all had that favorite pair of sunglasses. The ones we thought we looked SOOO cool in. Then one day, you jump in the car and hear a crunch under your butt. "OH NO! My sunglasses!!!!" We've all done it.

Well, worry no more. Designers Azumi and David have found a solution. We can still look "stylish" and not have to worry about breaking our favorite pair of shades.

Check out their STICK ON sunglasses! I've seen it all now, folks! Say goodbye to your eyebrows!

Just try and tell me these two don't look cool!

hahahahahahaha!!!
You know you want 'em!

One ticket sold at a Kokomo convenience store matched all six numbers drawn for Saturday's $10.5 million Hoosier Lotto game, dropping the jackpot to $1 million for Wednesday's drawing.


To the family member of mine who won the above.......
just remember how much I love you!!!!

Check out this little punkin face taking on Britney Spears and doing a great job!!!

We love ya Paula, butt not that much!

In 1968, Boston was a city that stood racially divided. A white fire fighter saved a little black baby. The picture of him breathing life back into her made front page news and touched the heart of the city:

Great story, click here to watch the video

Finally the State of Indiana recognized it needed to declare an Official State Pie.

It's about darn time don't you think? Let's get down to real business here folks. The State of Indiana has gone far too long without an Official State Pie. Sure we could have picked apple or maybe even pumpkin. We can grow both fruits here, right? (bet ya didn't know the pumpkin is both a fruit and a vegetable did ya?)

NO! Not good enough for the discerning palate of sophisticated Hoosiers. We know what's better than a boring ol apple or pumpkin pie.

Our State picked the world's most succulent, sweet, creamy, melt in your mouth, delicious piece of lusciousness that you'll ever taste!

SUGAR CREAM PIE!

It's about darn time we got an official State pie and thank God they were smart enough to pick Sugar Cream when it came down to it. Good Job Indiana!!!

Does Duke Energy Provide You Electricity?

If so, check your bills closely!!!

The last 2 months they have "estimated" our usage and guessed at how much to bill us. Here's how it went.

• November bill $127.59 - higher than a normal bill but only by about 20 bucks...not a bid deal, right?

• December bill $225.63 - an estimated bill. I was stunned but paid it thinking maybe it was that cold or maybe the Christmas lights did this to us.

• January bill $286.36 - another estimated bill. WHAT??????? In the last year we have not used more the 1300 kwatts of power in one month. Their estimate on our usage for the last month, 3744 kwatts.

And the bill says, "Estimated bill. Meter could not be
read due to bad weather."

Awwwww. NOT MY PROBLEM!

I don't think these thieves know who they are messing with!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If you have Duke energy - watch your bill closely.

Get to bed early little boys and girls...Rudolph and I are on the way!!!

The RCA Dome was imploded this morning! Implosions are cool!

Holy cow!! Is that snow in my blog's header?

Do you want it to snow on your blog too? Just click here to get the widget!

Happy winter time!

Now you can own your very own piece of the Roloff's farm! Do you watch Little People Big World? Have you always wanted dirt from their farm! Well your dream has come true!

For a mere $8.00, you, too, can own some Country Style Dirt, straight from the Roloff's land!

Wooowhooo!

Wondering Who Got Your Name in the Cousin Drawing?
Can't Remember Who You Need to Buy For?
Here's the List!

Rich got Aaron
Aaron got John
Liz got Rich
Ryan got Liz
Chad got Ryan
Andrea got Chad
Jenny got Andrea
Sarah got Jenny
Rosie got Sarah
Allison got Rosie
Craig got Allison
John got Craig

What a surprise! We got up this morning and it snowed overnight! Hello Old Man Winter! Rich raced out and built his first snowman for Winter 2008!

I went out the door behind him to snap a few shot of the blessed event! Rich blew all the leaves out of our yard a week ago...but more fell since then. Who cares! Made for a good photo op!

As you can see, we still have our "Fall" decorations out...we usually leave them up through Thanksgiving. They got the shock of their lives too!

Time to put the Christmas lights up!!!

Evidently Dr. Pepper never thought Guns & Roses new album would hit the streets. Back in March they said they would give a free Dr. Pepper to everyone in America if the new G&R album was released in 2008.

Well guess what. The album hits the streets on Sunday. Wishing they had kept their "pepper" where their money is - ol Dr. Pepper is going to make good on their promise. Free DP for everyone! All you have to do is wait until 12:01am on Sunday, then go to the DP site and there will be a coupon available for your free 20 oz Dr Pepper (valid thru the end of Feb 09). Yummo!

Well, Dr. Pepper. That'll learn ya!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOHN!!!

WHAT ABOUT BOB PARTY 2008

Last night we had our What About Bob party at Jan & Cliff's. We had lots of fun and some good food too! I only got a couple of pics of the group so here we go! Sarah came up with a great What About Bob version of Pictionary and TEAM 1 (Allison, Ryan, Jenny, Cliff, Rich and Me) ROCKED the WIN!!! Rich and I came up with a bunch of trivia questions. We tried to make it into a DVD game but couldn't get the the DVD burnt in time for the party! So watch out, we just might bring it to Thanksgiving! We had lots of fun last night! Hope all of you did too!

Dr. Leo Marvin:

Group Shot!

It's Christmas time...What Are You Talking About?!?

We haven't even had Thanksgiving yet and there's already been a ceremonious "Christmas Tree Lighting" at one of the area shopping malls. Huh? It's 3 weeks before Thanksgiving! Guess I can't blame retailers, it's been a tough year! I started Christmas shopping WEEKS ago so how can I fault them for wanting to cash in on Christmas early?

Couple this with a blog series we're writing at work about "Black Friday" and how to boost sales in your online stores...all this talk of Christmas and shopping has me thinking about the fun Rich and I had on Black Friday last year. So I started researching info for the blog post I have to write for work and found a bunch of retailers have already released their black friday ads! Thought you might want to get a sneak peek and start planning your early morning shopping spree along with me!

Here are some sites that have Black Friday ads posted:

• BlackFriday.com
  
• Black Friday 2008
• BlackFriday.info

Get ready! Brush up on the trivia!!!!

Happy Halloween Y'all! Already! Seems like it was just spring. Oh well, time flies, right?

So in traditional style, my dear sweetheart decked our house out in Halloween madness. He's started making gravestones with sayings on them that mean nothing to other people but crack us up! They are either sayings from movies that we constantly repeat or snippets from commercials that drive us nuts...or something. He plants these little styrofoam gravestones in our front yard every year and usually adds at least one a year. Here's this years display. Of course he used the phrase I really want on my gravestone... "I told you I was sick" (SHooks, you said you'd make sure it got on there, I'm holdin you to it!)

This year he decided to put a scary skeleton guy on our porch too. We named him Skullie. He was actually a very friendly guy, but he scared the crap out of most little kids. Notice the strategically placed fake rubber spider on the doorbell! Hehehe! There are rubber spiders and cock roaches all over our porch (as you can see all around Skullie on the floor).

Every year, he hangs spiders from the ceiling of our porch - - at just about head level for various heights. He hangs them from invisible thread that he uses in magic so no one sees them until it hits them in the face. He usually hangs thread too so it feels like spider webs as you walk up on the porch. Moooowahahaha! Classic!! It's a flippin riot!

If that wasn't bad enough, we also put a head in a kettle. I mean, what the heck. Why not? There aren't many occasions where you can put a head in a kettle, so you have to take advantage of those times when they come up, right? This guy doesn't have a name, but he's got a slammin purple pirate scarf, a bulging eye that we added and a gold tooth!

Well you all know my dearest husband. He doesn't do anything just half way. He usually takes everything to a new level (or low, I don't know which). So we had yellow tape, plastic pictures of skeletons and coffins and a bunch of heads hanging on our porch. Here's what the final product looked like.Now let's talk about the trick or treaters. We always have the 18 year old men showing up in something that's barely considered a costume. Ok we give em candy anyway. They're having fun, right? We have tons of little kids and some parents that get into the action too. We secretly hold a "Best Costume" contest and this year we decided to snap a pic of the best costume. Don't know who this kid is, but she won our contest! Extra candy for her!!

I had to save the best for last though (and sorry no pics of this one). We had some 35 year old South American woman show up with this big ol mass of kids. She stood in the back, was in costume and patiently waited for all the kids to leave, then in a really sneaky and weird way, she slinked up on our porch and said, "Tlikc er Tleat". We were like..."uh, ok."

So the night progresses and 10,000 more kids have hit us up for free candy. I'm at the door dishing out candy to a big ol crowd of kids and guess who shows up again.

You guessed ... Tlick er Tleat! I spotted her at the back of this flock of kids and thought surely not. I know she's not going to come up here again. Throwing all shame to the wind, in the same freakin weird way, here she came, this time with a smile on her face and said in her tiny little voice, "Tlick er Tleat". I glared at her in my 'don't even think about coming back a 3rd time' kind of way. Now I wish she would have come just one more time so I could have snapped of pic to share with all of you. DARN! Guess there's always next year!

P.S. Halloween is over. So, does this mean the Christmas season has officially begun?

Fam! Time to pray for one of our own. Our cousin Stephanie (Pryor), Babe & Carla's daughter. She was just recently married, is approximately 23 weeks pregnant and just diagnosed with breast cancer.
Time to rally the troops and send some prayers her way! I know she will appreciate it. If you'd like to visit her website, just click here.

Let's all let her know she's in our prayers by signing her guestbook, even if you think she doesn't know you, she can use all the strength she can get right now to fight this cancer and win and I'm sure she'll be happy to hear from you regardless!