Lots of things on my mind. Woke up to a chili 55 degrees this morning. As my husband would say "Colder than a witches teet." Niel was wrapped like a burrito when I looked over at him. And now poor thing has got a cold. So we wore jackets for the first time in a while to work. And the cold weather is making my skin dry so now I have to go back to putting on moisturizer. Plus my asthma is acting up. I've been hacking flem up in the mornings. Probably did not want to hear that. Thank God its Friday. Robert Smith knew what he was saying when he penned the song "Friday I'm In Love". I've been craving cherries but alas they are not in season. I think I got a little tired of all the apples. Which still taste great but I need variety. Our landlord finally put in our new windows yesterday. They look fabulous and really changed the look of room. We also rearranged the furniture a bit and we like the new set up a lot. Don't know why we didn't think of it sooner. I'm also happy that the dead raccoon on my block is gone. I don't know what a raccoon is doing in the suburbs, let alone dead. Ewww. I dreamt last night that Niel and I went to France and Ireland for a trip. It was nice. This is the second time in two days I have heard about this trapeze school in Manhattan where regular folk can go flying in the air. I must say I am slightly curious about it. Anyway here are the Friday Fives. Have a good weekend.

New
1] What are your favorite autumn foods and beverages? Ooooh tons of things!! Soups, stews, pies, crisps, teas, roasts!!

2] Do you have any fun things planned for this fall, such as attending
an autumn festival, going apple picking, hosting a Halloween party,
etc.? We just went apple picking for the first time two weekends ago and I had a lot of fun. This weekend we are attending another fair. What's bad about that is that so many are scheduled on the same days. And I think we will be having another Halloween party this year.

3] What has your autumn weather been like so far? It just got really chilly today. And it is all I can take. Is fall your favorite season? Most definitely. I love the chill in the air, the leaves changing colors, cozy sweaters, festivals, warm foods. Woo hoo. What is your area's autumn weather typically like? It only recently got chilly.

4] What will you be doing for Thanksgiving this year? Maybe host it again. Do you usually
have a traditional one [turkey, mashed potatoes, cranberries], or do
you eat out or fix a non traditional menu on Thanksgiving Day? I try to make different side dishes and desserts to mix it up each year. Of course the Turkey.

5] Some people start Christmas shopping in October. Do you? I shop all year round for Christmas. If I see a sale and think the person might like it I purchase it and hide it. Heh heh.

Old
1] ...You could do absolutely *anything* you wanted to right now? Right now be home.
Where would you go? What activity would you choose? Would you do it
alone or with friends/family? Why? I have a lot of TV to catch up on actually so watch some shows, clean the house as it will be a busy weekend.

2] ... You suddenly found $500 in your wallet, all for you [with no
catches]. What would you do with it? Why? I would share it with Niel and splurge. Since we honestly have not done that lately.

3] ... You could trade places with someone right now, just for a day?
Who would you choose, and why? What do you think it would feel like
to be that person? The President. And hopefully make things better. But I don't know how much I could do in a day.

4] ... You woke up tomorrow with powers of invisibility, but the
effect would only last for a few days? Where would you go, and what
would you do? Who would you "spy" on? In which situation would you
most like to be unnoticed "fly on the wall"? I would get on a plane and travel for free.

5] ... You could choose *one* song NEVER to hear ever again in your
life? Which song would it be? How about *one* song to ONLY hear for
the rest of your life? Oh God there are tooooo many to choose for both answers.

Song Stuck In My Head: "Hurt" redone by Johnny Cash

I'll never stray from Jiffy again. I was making a chili pie and I needed cornbread for the topping. The supermarket did not have Jiffy but this brand. Washington Cornbread was dry and tasteless. Jiffy is really a great brand. Their cornbread is soft and flavorful. I have learned my lesson.



Song Stuck In My Head: "Blue Orchid" by The White Stripes

Sno Balls are one of my favorite junky dessert items. I love how the company colors them a dyes them for the different holidays. The Halloween ones are called Glo Balls. LOL.



Song Stuck In My Head: "Take On Me" by Aha

I've been talking about apples a good deal lately. I used to love them a lot as a kid, but as an adult the flavor is just not the same. I only use apples for baking and do not eat them fresh. But I highly recommend eating an apple right from the tree. Go apple picking. You will not regret it. Ok enough about me finding my passion for apples again. Here is a quiz I stole from Jenn's blog. Play along if you like.

What color is most reflective of you? Hmmmmm Maroon. It has dark and light elements to it. But fashion wise mostly black cause it helps hide the bulges. Well some of them. I gots lots of Ani to squeeze into clothes. LOL.

How did you get the idea for your journal name? Well it's the second name. The second name fits better because I love food. I don't always talk about food but its dominant. I don't think foodiechickie boxes me in.

What time were you born? I actually have no idea.

What song are you playing now, or wish you were playing? I'm not allowed music at work.

Has the death of a celebrity ever made you cry? Kurt Cobain. It still does.

What color underwear are you wearing? Do you really want to know?

Do you want a baby? Another one? I don't have a first one yet to want another one. But yes I like them. The newborns make me nervous but three months and on not as much.

What does your dad do for a living? My dad is retired.

What does your mom do for a living? She is a tailor. But also a talented artist, cook, and crafty lady. She just needs more time for her hobbies.

What is your pet's name? No pets are allowed in our building. Bastards.

What color are your bedsheets? Hunter Green.

What are the last 3 digits of your phone number? It used to be 095. Have not memorized the new one cause I hate it.

What was the last concert you attended? The White Stripes!!!

Who was with you? My sweet hubby Niel.

What was the last movie you saw? A Shark's Tale recorded on DVR.

Who do you dislike most at this moment? Bullshit but I guess that is more a trait.

What food are you craving right now? An apple. LOL.

Did you dream last night? I forgot but it was strange.

What was the last tv show you watched? Arrested Development and RAW is WAR!

What is your fave piece of jewelry? My engagement and wedding rings.

What is to the left of you? My coworker Elaine.

What was the last thing you ate? Rice Krispy cereal.

Who is your best friend of the opposite sex? My husband Niel.

Write a song lyric that's in your head? Something from Limp Bizkit.

Who last imed you? I can't IM at work and I am too busy at home. Ironic. LOL.

Where is your significant other right now? My husband Niel!

Do you have a crush? On the husband.

What shampoo do you use? Whatever is on sale. Right now it is coconut scented.

When was the last time you cut your hair? Umm two months ago.

Are you on any meds? For asthma and one for constipation.

Do you have a mental disease? Yes the ability to be freaking patient with way too many people that do not deserve it. Ahh better I got that off my chest.

What shirt are you wearing? A blue sweater.

What time is it? Not enough time before I can be home.

What color is your razor? Pink.

What is your fave frozen treat? Ice cream.

Are you sexy? To my husband I am.

What's your favorite shopping store? Clothes Old Navy. Grocery shopping Whole Foods and Trader Joe's. But don't get to either much. They are just my favorites. And Target. I'm addicted.

Are you thirsty? Always! Need my water.

Can you imagine yourself ever getting married? Before Niel no. Don't trust people enough.

Song Stuck In My Head: "My Way" By Limp Bizkit

Happy Fall. Hope everyone had a good weekend. Niel and I celebrated the first few days of Autumn with a trip to Washington D.C. to visit the Squilky's(no not their real last name) and to tour our nation's capital. I had been to the surrounding area's of D.C. such as Maryland years ago and Virginia, but never D.C. Sites we saw were the Washington Memorial, The Lincoln Memorial, The Vietnam Memorial, The Korean War Memorial, a cool statue of Albert Einstein Statue and the Smithsonian. The city is beautiful and of course very official feeling and also a bit sad. All those memorials are a reminder of how many people gave up their lives.
Niel and I had stayed at the same hotel as the last time we were in the area since it is close to the Squilky's and we liked it alot. The hotel doesn't have frills but they do have a complimentary breakfast daily, internet access and an outlet mall across the street. The hotel also booked us into a handicapped room. I don't know why. But the bathroom was huge. We also had a terrific time visiting with Mike and Rachel (the Squilky's). Their new home is gorgeous. They did a great job renovating it. The first night together we enjoyed dinner together at Chada Thai. A lovely Thai restaurant. I ordered Pad Thai. My favorite Thai meal. For dessert we went to a custard place. I had never had custard before and it was pretty darn cute. Plus the shop had neat treans, toy cars, and a toy penguin in the freezer. Then we watched The Longest Yard back at their place. I thought it was going to be more comedic but the film was very serious but good. I recommend it. They also gave us a vase of pretty Halloween silk flowers, which adorns our dining room table. We also had decided to meet up the next day to go apple picking. It was my first time and their first time for the season. But first we had a yummy breakfast at Bob Evans. I love going to restaurants I've never been to before. It was a really cool experience picking apples right off the tree and tasting them. Fresh apples are a gazillion times better than store brought. We have half a bushel of apples for our families and us. Rachel had a good trick for getting the flies away from our faces. We stuck a hand or both hands in the air and the flies would buzz on over to that and leave our faces alone. Afterwards Rachel drove us to a second orchard for some apple butter. Niel also brought some Apple flavored BBQ. Both orchards were so picturesque. There were lots of animals roaming around both orchards. There were cows, sheep, horses, donkeys. We also took pics on a tractor we thought did not work. Lo and behold later on Rachel pointed out the tractor was being driven by a farm hand. Then it was off to Shenandoah National Park for our picnic. We got caught in a rain storm. The rain stopped long enough for our picnic lunch of sandwiches which Mike and Niel picked up that morning and were stored in the cooler Rachel and I borrowed from her parents. Her mom also gave us some home made chocolate chip cookies for dessert. They were good! We also took lots of pictures of the mountain in the park and saw lots of deer. Mike and Rachel were quite patient and stopped the car a lot. We appreciated their hospitality and had a great time. There was much laughing that day. The last day we were in D.C. Niel and I decided to go to the Smithsonian. We took the train into D.C. and much to our surprise there were two events on the great lawn. The National Book Fair and a protest against the war. We went to the Natural Museum of History (of the Smithsonian) and saw a lot of neat exhibits. On the way back we ate at the Waffle House. Man it was good to eat there again. Saturday evening when we returned to NYC we saw The White Stripes in Coney Island. Now that was a cool concert. They had two opening acts M. Ward and The Shins. Both good. But The White Stripes were just awesome. For two people they can make some noise. Niel brought tickets near the stage so we were pretty close. Although I had to ask some people to move over. Hee Hee. Unfortunately cameras were not allowed, so we could not take pictures of that. But I will not forget it. When we got home after the concert we were disappointed to see our front windows still not replaced. Our landlord has been promising for three years. Maybe she will today while we are at work. Sunday we watched A Shark Tale. We caught part of it over the weekend and liked it. Luckily we had taped it before leaving incase we got around to viewing it. A weekend we are sure not to forget. Now that we are back it doesn't feel like we ever left. I hate that feeling. I'll post pics in a few days, maybe even later tonight. There are over 400 pics. I kid you not. And those are just the ones Niel and I took.

Me and my cone head


Song Stuck In My Head: "In The Cold Cold Night" by The White Stripes

Another Crockpot recipe that turned out very well is Jambalaya. Recipe below. Have a good weekend.

Crockpot Jambalaya
Ingredients
1-1/2 lb. boneless Chicken breasts 1 pound Smoked sausage, sliced
28 ounces tomatoes 1 pound cooked Shrimp
1 chopped Onion 1 chopped Green pepper
1 cup Chicken broth 2 teaspoons Oregano
2 teaspoons Parsley 2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning
1 teaspoon Cayenne pepper 2 cups cooked Rice
1 cup diced celery
Preparation
Cut into cubes chicken. Slice sausage. Chop onion, green pepper, & celery. Put all into crock pot. Add remaining ingredients except shrimp & rice. Cook on low heat for approximately 7 hours. About 30 minutes before serving, add cooked Shrimp & cooked rice.

Your Element is Water
Your power colors: blue and aqua




Your energy: deep




Your season: winter




Like the ocean, you evoke deep feelings and passion.

You have an emotional, sensitive, and spiritual soul.

A bit mysterious, you tend to be quiet when you are working out a problem.

You need your alone time, so that you can think and dream.

What Element Are You?



Find the Love of Your Life
(and More Love Quizzes) at Your New Romance.

We ate the lovely apple crisp with Breyers light creamy vanilla ice cream. It was on sale. Usually that is how my supermarket introduces new products by first putting them on sale. I could not taste any difference in the flavor of this half the calories version of Breyers vanilla ice cream. Now Breyers is double churned so it is even smoother. Whoever thought of ice cream and warm desserts together is a genius.

 


Song Stuck In My Head:"Bigger Than My Body" by John Meyer

Usually I make the topping for crisps fresh. But I found this product at the supermarket and decided to try it. It was delicious. It has oats in it, cinnamon, sugar and other yummy flavors. It is from Concord Foods.

 


And My Name is Earl premieres tonight and the American version of The Office is back for its second season. Woo hoo.

Thanks Niel for bringing me home ice cream and snoballs:)

Song Stuck In My Head: "Fade Into You" by Mazzy Star

Why am I always surprised when Monday happens? It was a nice weekend none the less. Hope everyone had a good weekend too. Much of it was dedicated to cleaning, errand running and laundry. It's nice when two people are doing chores though. They get done faster. Managed to have some fun. I wrote and crafted some. Went on a decaf coffee run and browsed Barnes and Nobel. I also cooked a lot. No crock pot cooking this weekend. I made pork chops with Mac and Cheese, cheesy omelets, puffed apple pancakes brownies, and an apple crisp. I also baked Austrian Jam cookies, which are essentially thumb print cookies. They came out quite good. We brought those over to my parents when we visited. Niel liked them a lot. And tonight we're going to have a fish stew I cooked yesterday prior going to my parents for dinner. We also caught up on TV. I was happy to have Best Week Ever come back. It's pretty funny!! Did anyone see the Food Network special about Cooking Groups? I am thinking of joining or starting one. I signed up on the Cooking Light website. I enjoy blogging alot but you guys don't leave near me enough. I need to find some more people to hang out with Niel and I. Why don't you people live near me? Lol. And the second special on the Food Network were kitchens of the future. Man I so did not see that one. Now I want to buy all the gadgets. And tonight Arrested Development third season premiers. Yes!!



Song Stuck In My Head: "What's Up" 4 None Blondes

Last night my company showed a screening of Everything is Illuminated. After I was done helping out Niel and I viewed the film. It is from the best selling novel of the same name. The movie was really very good. It's one of my favorites now. I highly recommend it. Eugene Hutz stole the film. Leib Schreiber did a marvelous job directing and making the book into a screen play. After we got home I baked some cup cakes for a pastry sale that Niel's company is having at work today, as one of the ways to raise money for the people affected by Hurricane Katrina. And one of the other ways we are helping is sending supplies such as towels, sheets, toiletries to the Astro Dome. Via Stef's blog. Here is the address.

Donated Goods
Astrodome
Houston TX 77230

As well as mailing kids school supplies. I found the info through Maryland Mommy's blog. Here is the info.

Entertainment Weekly has a list of fall movies and there are a few I want to see. I bolded them.

Tim Burton's Corpse Bride
Everything Is Illuminated
Just Like Heaven
Green Street Hooligans
Lord of War
Proof
Flightplan
A History of Violence
Oliver Twist
Roll Bounce
Capote
Mirror Mask
Prize Winner of Defiance Ohio
Serenity
Into the Blue
Oct. 07 2005
Two For the Money
Waiting
Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit
In Her Shoes
Oct. 14 2005
Domino
Elizabethtown (Even though I am not a fan of Kirsten Dunst)
The Fog
Oct. 21 2005
Doom
Dreamer
North Country
Shopgirl
Stay
Oct. 28 2005
The Legend of Zorro
Prime
Saw 2
The Weather Man
Nov. 04 2005
Chicken Little
Family Stone
Jarhead
The Matador
Nov. 09 2005
The New World
Nov. 11 2005
Get Rich or Die Tryin'
Rent
Bee Season
Zathura
Nov. 18 2005
Breakfast on Pluto
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Pride & Prejudice
Walk the Line(Johnny Cash rules so we may see it)
Nov. 23 2005
Ice Harvest
Syriana
Fall 2005
Nine Lives
Dec. 09 2005
Brokeback Mountain
Memoirs of a Geisha
Dec. 14 2005
King Kong (It's King Kong so maybe)
Dec. 16 2005
All the King's Men
Dec. 21 2005
Fun With Dick and Jane
The Producers
Rumor Has It
Dec. 23 2005
The Ringer
Dec. 25 2005
Match Point
Mrs. Henderson Presents
2005
Aeon Flux
Fierce People
The Libertine
Undertaking Betty

Congrats to Britney Spears and Kevin Federline (Cause I know they read this blog) on the birth of their son whose going to be the most sought after baby in the world. Good luck to you Baby Boy Federline with all the money you will not have an easy time.

And who thought Kenny Chesney and Renee Zelwigger wouldn't last forever?


Song Stuck In My Head: "Rappers Delight" by the Sugar Hill Gang

Lisanne's crockpot recipe challenge really got my butt in gear to use my crock pot more. In fact I have used it four out of five days last week and two days this week(so far). And I have got to say I am really enjoying it! No matter how much I enjoy cooking, thinking of meals to prepare, and grocery shopping for items, I am so very beat after work that and all I want to do is just veg out. Now there is a warm dinner waiting after work instead of having to cook after I get home. My evenings are freed up. I have more time to relax, exercise, craft or what not. One recipe in particular Niel and I enjoyed greatly is the Black Bean Chili. I noticed if you add more of the liquid the recipe calls for than the meal will not burn, of course you have to add a bit more of the spices so the meal will not lose flavor.


Black Bean Chili (Crockpot)
1 lb. Pork tenderloin, cubed
16 oz. Chunky salsa
45 oz. Canned black beans, rinsed and drained
1/2 cup chicken broth
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1 onion, chopped
1 tsp. Cumin
2 tsp. Chili powder
1 tsp. Dried oregano
1/4 cup sour cream

Place tenderloin in your slow cooker. Add remaining ingredients except sour cream. Cover and cook on low for 8 hours. Serve with sour cream.

Song Stuck In My Head: "If I had A Million Dollars" by Barenaked Ladies

This past Summer I ate a lot of Blue Bunny. No I didn't hunt down some mysterious blue rabbit and eat it. Blue Bunny is an ice cream company. Or atleast one of the things they make is ice cream. I found Blue Bunny at my corner store. The one I love is the Strawberry Burst Big Dipper. It is soft strawberry ice cream covered in a candy coating, all held together in a nice soft cone. And on the bottom the cone is a piece of white chocolate so the ice cream doesn't drip. Those Blue Bunny folks are smart.

 


Song Stuck In My Head: "Blue Orchid" by The White Stripes

Here is an update about the plant that Jessica sent me. It did turn out to be a pepper plant after all! When I first got the plant in a can I was happy that it was such a cute gift. A plant in a can people! Can it get any cuter. And I wondered what it would grow to be. But I didn't realize what Capsium meant. Duh it means pepper and one of you guys said that you thought it could be a pepper plant. And it is. So after the white flowers wilted in its place grew green peppers and now they turned red. Capsium is one of the ingredients in pepper. The Capsium ingredient is also one of the ingredients in anti itching ointments. Brits and Australians use the word capsicum instead of the word pepper. But the can says Capsium. One more word to add to the British words I already knew.

 


 


Two funny shows I like: Stroker and Hoop and the Andy Milonakis Show. I'm also excited about The Gilmore Girls coming back on tonight. Also if you're a NYC resident please vote tonight. Thanks. Oh and good riddance.

Song Stuck In My Head: "Holding Back The Years" by Simply Red

It was a nice relaxing weekend. How was yours? I wonder though how it is September already. It still feel its only the beginning of Summer and not just about the end. Although weather wise it was nice and cool this morning. On Saturday Niel went to an Oktoberfest celebration on the grounds of a nice new mall being built a few neighborhoods from us. It will be a one level mall with the stores and a movie theater being in a circle with parking. And in the middle of the circle is a nice park with benches and a band shell. Plus they'll be a farmer's market there every Saturday. Although I love going into Manhattan to the farmer's market one closer is much easier sometimes. I hope a Michaels, Joanne's and Whole Foods will be some of the stores to rent space, but that is asking too much. In the evening after a nice run out to Ikea we watched My Boss's Daughter. It was one of the worst films I have seen. Those are two hours I am not getting back. How could good comedians like Dave Foley be in that? It made me sad because he was one of the supporting characters for Ashton Kutcher(shudder) but I guess Foley needs work too.

The rest of the weekend was running errands and relaxing. Sunday Niel watched some football since another festival we wanted to go to was starting later than we thought. I watched some movies on cable and crafted while ziti and sausage I prepared was baking in the oven. Niel watched the games in the bedroom since we only have DVR in the living room. The two movies(Le Divorce and Dr. T and the Women) I watched I wouldn't recommend either. Later when the games were over we happily welcomed back The Simpsons and Family Guy. I also taped My Fair Brady. I'm curious to see that now that is since Hogan Knows Best is on hiatus.

I also was asked to be the Review Editor for All Things Girl which I said yes to. I am so excited about it! The entertainment/creative section of a publication has always been something I have been interested in being a part of. I hope I do well. If you've seen any movies or read any books recently and want to write about it. Please submit here My bio is not up yet though. I guess it will be for the October/November addition. Here are some pics of our weekend.

Song Stuck In My Head: "Apache" by Sugar Hill Gang

Four years ago today New York City changed forever. And you would think that reading the names of the deceased would be more important way to remember those lost then CBS cutting to a football game. Couldn't Nick and Jessica wait?

Michael Brown has been removed from his FEMA position. I guess "Browny" is not doing such a good job. I am cackling evily.

And I just gotta say I always enjoyed watching The Daily Show but this past week has been particularly hilarious.

I found this on Cheeky Professor's site. I know all the songs but were few I liked. Although the ones I was ify about will be forever stuck in my head. LOL. I just bolded the songs I like since Blogger won't do the rest. The list made me feel old. Let me know if you put it on your site and have a good weekend.

This is how you play.

Go to Music Outfitters, search box enter the year you graduated high school graduationit will bring up a "Top 100" song list.
* Bold songs you like
* Underline your favorite
* Strike out the ones you hate
* Leave untouched the ones you don't remember or don't care about

1. I Will Always Love You, Whitney Houston
2. Whoomp! (There It Is), Tag Team X
3. Can't Help Falling In Love, UB40
4. That's The Way Love Goes, Janet Jackson
5. Freak, Silk X
6. Weak, SWV X
7. If I Ever Fall In Love, Shai X
8. Dreamlover, Mariah Carey X
9. Rump Shaker, Wreckx-N-Effect X
10. Informer, Snow X
11. Nuthin' But A "G" Thang, Dr. Dre X
12. In The Still Of The Nite, Boyz II Men X
13. Don't Walk Away, Jade X
14. Knockin' Da Boots, H-Town X
15. Lately, Jodeci X
16. Dazzey Duks, Duice
17. Show Me Love, Robin S. X
18. A Whole New World, Peabo Bryson and Regina Belle
19. If, Janet Jackson
20. I'm So Into You, SWV
21. Love Is, Vanessa Willlams and Brian Mcknight
22. Runaway Train, Soul Asylum X
23. I'll Never Get Over You (Getting Over Me), Expose X
24. Ditty, Paperboy X
25. Rhythm Is A Dancer, Snap
26. The River Of Dreams, Billy Joel
27. I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles), Proclaimers
28. Two Princes, Spin Doctors X
29. Right Here (Human Nature)-Downtown, SWV X
30. I Have Nothing, Whitney Houston
31. Mr. Wendal, Arrested Development
32. Have I Told You Lately, Rod Stewart
33. Saving Forever For You, Shanice X
34. Ordinary World, Duran Duran
35. If I Had No Loot, Tony! Toni! Tone! X
36. I'd Do Anything For Love (But I Won't Do That), Meat Loaf X
37. Slam, Onyx X
38. Looking Through Patient Eyes, P.M. Dawn X
39. I'm Every Woman, Whitney Houston
40. Baby I'm Yours, Shai X
41. Come Undone, Duran Duran
42. I Don't Wanna Fight, Tina Turner
43. I'd Die Without You, P.M. Dawn X
44. Whoot, There It Is, 95 South X
45. Hip Hop Hooray, Naughty By Nature X
46. Another Sad Love Song, Toni Braxton X
47. Will You Be There, Michael Jackson
48. Comforter, Shil
49. Good Enough, Bobby Brown
50. What's Up, 4 Non Blondes
51. All That She Wants, Ace Of Base
52. 7, Prince and The New Power Generation
53. Dre Day, Dr. Dre
54. One Last Cry, Brian McKnight
55. Just Kickin' It, Xscape
56. I Get Around, 2Pac
57. Bed Of Roses, Bon Jovi
58. Real Love, Mary J. Blige
59. Here We Go Again!, Portrait
60. Cryin', Aerosmith
61. Cats In The Cradle, Ugly Kid Joe
62. What About Your Friends, TLC
63. I Got A Man, Positive K
64. Hey Mr. D.J., Zhane
65. Insane In The Brain, Cypress Hill
66. Deeper And Deeper, Madonna X
67. Rain, Madonna
68. The Right Kind Of Love, Jeremy Jordan
69. Bad Boys, Inner Circle
70. That's What Love Can Do, Boy Krazy
71. Do You Believe In Us, Jon Secada
72. Angel, Jon Secada
73. Forever In Love, Kenny G
74. Again, Janet Jackson
75. Boom! Shake The Room , DJ Jazzy Jeff and Fresh Prince
76. When She Cries, Restless Heart
77. Sweat (A La La La La Long), Inner Circle
78. It Was A Good Day, Ice Cube
79. More And More, Captain Hollywood Project
80. How Do You Talk To An Angel, Heights
81. Rebirth Of Slick (Cool Like Dat), Digable Planets
82. What Is Love, Haddaway
83. To Love Somebody, Michael Bolton
84. Give It Up, Turn It Loose, En Vogue
85. Alright, Kris Kross
86. Check Yo Self, Ice Cube
87. Fields Of Gold, Sting
88. Ooh Child, Dino
89. Faithful w/ Go West
90. Reason To Believe, Rod Stewart
91. Break It Down Again, Tears For Fears
92. Nothin' My Love Can't Fix, Joey Lawrence
93. Three Little Pigs, Green Jelly
94. Livin' On The Edge, Aerosmith
95. Hey Jealousy, Gin Blossoms
96. If I Ever Lose My Faith In You, Sting
97. Anniversary, Tony! Toni! Tone!
98. One Woman, Jade
99. Can't Get Enough Of Your Love, Taylor Dayne
100. Two Steps Behind, Def Leppard

Song Stuck In My Head: "Everybody Wants To Rule The World" by Tears For Fears

When my parents were on vacation, Niel and I would go to their place to check on things. We would also go to 7-11 afterwards. My parents live two short blocks from one. And let me tell you THANK GOD we do not live near a 7-11. We would have major health problems. Niel and I would have to go to 7-11 Lovers Anonymous(is there such a thing?) because we've become addicted to Cheeseburger sausages, slurpies, and cream cheese and jalapeno taquitos.

 


Song Stuck In My Head: "Everybody Knows" by Leonard Cohen

My second experience with a lemon flavored drink was disappointing also. Niel and I were picking up a pizza after a late night at work, when I spotted a cute bottle in the juice section of the pizzeria. And read the label about it being a lemon flavored drink. I forgot the name but got a picture. After returning home and having a sip, I decided it tasted like the stuff one has to drink when constipated. You know the medicine that comes in a green bottle. Trust me I've had a lot of experience with drinking that stuff. The taste was too similar. I haven't given up on finding a lemon drink I like though. Fuzzy picture below.

 


Pictures from the weekend here.

If you get a chance please check out my husband's new blog The Podfather. He started it with his friends. It's a music review site.

Song Stuck In My Head: "La Bamba" by Ritchie Valens

I've said it before but three day weekends should be mandatory. They're restful and fun. Our weekend started Thursday night when Niel and I hosted a birthday dinner for my mother in law. We invited my parents over since its a family event and dined on a antipasto, a salad of heirloom tomatoes that Niel got from the Farmer's Market, seafood boil with crab, shrimp and corn and red potatoes on the side. We also offered a few condiments to dip the shrimp and crab in; like butter, lemon and dill sauce, and garlic, butter sauce and cocktail sauce. For dessert Sunny's Sunshine Cake. The citrus flavor and moist texture reminds me of the cakes at Asian bakeries. It was a fun evening.

Friday evening we saw Charles Ross's one man Stars Wars show and if anyone is a fan of Star Wars and is in the NYC area please go see it. He is incredibly good and funny. Niel was laughing his head off.

Saturday we went hunting for Blood oranges in the city. Not much luck finding them but the walk was nice. In the evening Kelvin and Shawnda were in town and came over for dinner. We also played the XBOX version of Trivial Pursuit. For dinner we had a seafood fondue I used the Neufchatel Cheese(which worked great), chicken and vegetable couscous and ice cream for dessert. They also brought cheesecake from Juniors. Yum!

Sunday we watched two movies on cable. The Village(awesome) and The Bad News Bears Go To Japan(Not so good).

Monday we went to the Prospect Park Zoo. It was on my list of parks to see. We've been to the Bronx Zoo, The Central Park Zoo, The Cloisters, The Queens Zoo, The Brooklyn Aquarium, The Brooklyn Botanical Gardens and The Queens Botanical Gardens. Next on the list of parks to see is the New York Botanical Gardens in the Bronx. After that it is on to visit all the museums we haven't.

The Prospect Park Zoo is very pretty. The entrance is nicely decorated and the zoo is perfect for young children. Seeing the sea lions being fed was fun. We also managed to catch a bit of the West Indian Day parade. The costumes are so exquisite. After we returned home we watched part of Hero on cable, which is so lovely to look at. The director of photography did a wonderful job, but the plot was so boring. Instead we switched channels to see American Wedding and cringed at the grossness, but it kept our attention better. I also managed to clean a lot, write, and craft during the weekend. Pictures will come in the evening since Yahoo does not want to cooperate right now.

Song Stuck In My Head: "Das" from the movie Das

Hope everyone is off of work on Labor Day and enjoying it. Please though let us not forget how lucky we are to have work and to complain about our jobs and the little/big things that bother us. Because most of the people in New Orleans and the majority other areas of the Gulf have nothing. They're refugees in their own country. I really pray that help arrives to them. I hope they can find work, shelter, food, medical attention, put their children back in school and go on. I stupidly thought at first why didn't they leave? They knew the hurricane was coming. But these people are poor and really had no means to get out or money for a hotel if they could find a way to leave. And I was angry for all the looting that was happening, but you know if I was stranded their by my own country I would be very, very angry too and probably start behaving badly. I am so very upset at how little is being done to help these people. I am humiliated that the greatest and richest country in the world's government, my government has turned a blind eye to this tragedy. I want those people to get help! Why aren't those people getting help?The government has known for a long time those leavies were going to break for God's sake. And they let it happen. They get hurricanes all the time. Why couldn't they fix something that would have cost little and now is going to cost billions. And yes I think finger pointing is in order too. How FEMA was turning away help! How the president is responding to this. Some stupid comments that are being said. These people live in our country and they need help. But I guess since we can't even correct health care, social security, help the homeless, then what's a few extra thousand problems right?

Friday could not have come sooner and on top of being Friday its also a three day holiday weekend! Yippee!

Time for the Friday Five. Per usual new one on top and old one after that. Have a great weekend!

1] Summer technically ends on September 22 (the autumnal equinox).
But when do *you* consider summer "over"? Is it when the kids go back
to school? When Labor Day arrives? When it's September? When your
summer vacation ends? When your weather starts turning cooler? When I see the back to school supplies.

2] Have you enjoyed Summer 2005? Why/why not? Is there anything that
you would have liked to do but didn't? What was a highlight of your
summer? Yes it has been a nice Summer. Although the weather was gross. I got to travel, do fun things with Niel, try yummy foods, go to some ball games and go berry picking.

3] Do you have any plans for Labor Day weekend? What about your
September calendar ... what do you have going on this month? See family and friends for the Labor Day weekend and hopefully take a trip.

4] If you could make summer last forever (in other words, it would be
the only season you'd experience for the rest of your life), would
you do it? Why/why not? It's too hot. I prefer Fall.

5] What do you like most about fall? What are your favorite autumn
foods and treats? The chill in the air. I get to wear a light jacket or cozy sweater. The decorations. Yummy pies and the great smells in the air.

Old
1) What's the best restaurant that you've *ever* been to? Think about
customer service, atmosphere, food presentation, taste of the food,
decor, location, etc. How about the *worst* restaurant? Why was it so
bad? There really has been too many to pick from.

2) Imagine that you order something at a restaurant but discover that
you *totally* dislike the food after tasting it. Do you complain to
the server and send it back, requesting something else? Or do you
just keep quiet about it, not eat it, and continue with the rest of
your meal? I would keep quiet.

3) Do you prefer eating outside, in a restaurant's outdoor seating
area? Or would you rather eat your meal inside? Why? Depends on the weather.

4) Are there any new restaurants in your area [or elsewhere] that
you've been dying to try? Do you enjoy dining out, or would you
typically rather eat at home? There have been a few, but it depends on the budget for that particular week.

5) You and a friend go out to eat for lunch. Do you split the bill
between the two of you, or do you offer to pay for everything if
you're the one who invited your friend? Would you say that you're a
pretty good tipper? Do you know people who aren't? I would split it and I'm a pretty good tipper.

Song Stuck In My Head: "Aida" by Sarah McLauchlan

Rachael Ray is taking over the world! Besides four shows on the food network (30 Minute Meals, $40 a day, Inside Dish and her new show Rachael Ray's Tast Travels), plus a talk show in the works, a slew of cook books; now she is going to have her own magazine about cooking and home care and a line of knives. Martha Stewart watch out!



Song Stuck In My Head: "Natural Blues" by Moby