Baaaaaaaaaaaaack. For reals this time!

I will be the first to admit that I am a lame blogger. I have all of these great blogging pipe dreams, but never follow through. I don’t even know who reads this, but it is nice to know that there is someone, anyone out there who reads my words. ☺

An update of my life – I am still working at the College of Business at the University of Tennessee. I love my job – even though I am just an assistant, I feel as though I am connected to so many of the students.

I am still wanting to go back to school. I am aiming for my masters in Library Sciences – I would love to get involved with promoting literacy in children. That is my main goal. Though, my first step – I would love to focus in records and archiving. Then – get a job with a large theatre (Hellooooooo Met!) and work in their archival department. I could totally see myself wading through ancient photographs and creating digital libraries!

Other than that – not much is going on. Adjusting to single life again, finding myself and realizing what an awesome person I am. ;) There is definitely something to be said for being on one’s own after a long relationship. You don’t realize what you sacrifice of yourself when you are in the moment. Though, totally worth it. ☺ Just because a relationship doesn’t work out in the end, there are 6 whole years of good memories that I will never discard.

Knoxville has been interesting these last few months. I live in an adorable apartment. I just need to finish unpacking it. (yes, I have lived here since June – what’s it to you?!) I have a new comforter, new curtains, new desk (actually… my grandfathers from the 50s, new to me!) and new friends!

I have become really active in my church (http://knoxvilleascension.org) and met a lot of really great people. I am involved in the LAMBS ministry which is all about pets. For St. Frances day, we had a blessing of the animals. It was great! I love being active in a community like this! Church life was something I never expected for my life – I was originally just becoming a member so that my fiancée and I could get married in the church - but it was a pleasant surprise when it turned into more. I still hold on to my previous beliefs, but there is nothing wrong about adding on. I would consider myself Episcopagan. ☺ As a man once said… “can’t we all just get along?!”

I will sign off for now – but let me post some blog ideas here. I will create them AND post them! Now that I am posting them here… it is a promise that they will come up. If they do not come up in the next month, I give you full permission to come to TN and force me to type. ☺

(in no particular order)
1. Introduction of my furry family.
2. My new apartment.
3. Race for the cure.
4. Knoxville.
5. Funny memories from my childhood (WITH pictures)
6. High School memories (with pictures… sorry guys!)
7. College – GC&SU – the early years!
8. College – NCSA
9. Sewing and Cake Decorating Classes
10. Books I am currently infatuated with.



That’s 10 in 30 days… I think it is totally doable. Look… giving myself goals. So grown up. ☺

A picture to tide you over.... Maggie being helpful. (Please excuse the mess... it was a rough time. :) )

Back from the dead!

My apologies to all of you who read this blog (if anyone...!) for not having posted in such a long time!  I have been going through a lot of personal things and have not wanted to bog down the blog with it. :) 

BUT - I am back!  Summer is blazing on here in Knoxville!  I have been filling my evenings with everything under the sun to keep me out of the house and the heat!  I am going to the gym, watching my way through LOST with Valerie, taking sewing and cake decorating classes and whatever else I can think of! :)  The fruits of my sewing labor will be posted soon.  I am very proud of it!  My current class is all about pattern reading.  I am still confused by it, but I am sure that it will begin to get easier!  I can't wait until I can make my own sundresses!

Anywho, technically I *am* at work.... so, I should get back to it!  These scholarships can't process themselves!

2 Cupcake Recipes

Ummmm... I have to make these. I am having a housewarming party for my new abode sometime in June - these WILL be making an appearance... omg....

Via: Food in My Beard Blog

2 Cupcake Recipes: "

We had a family gathering at my parents house this past weekend, and my mom was making 2 different cupcake recipes for dessert. I was glad to help out and get a free post out of the deal. One of these recipes is a mini peanut butter cupcake from food network magazine, and the other is an oreo cheesecake cupcake from Martha Stewart. Both the recipes were huge hits at the party. They were fairly easy and soo good! Unrelated reminder: Battle Peas and Ginger is up on Foodie Fights!

The cheesecake recipe was super simple.

Adding oreo crumbs to the mix.

The cake recipe for the peanut butter cups was also simple, just everything in one bowl and mix it up.

The peanut butter topping was PB chips melted in cream. After this chills, it is whipped.

Piping peanut butter onto the cupcakes.

This is the chocolate that you dip the cupcakes in.

These need to freeze about 15 minutes before dipping so the peanut butter doesn't melt.

The cupcakes went well together.

And the whole family loved them.

I liked to serve the oreo ones upside down.

Yum. I normally go toward chocolaty/peanut butter type desserts, but surprisingly I liked the cheesecakes better!

The peanut butter cupcake recipe is here, but we used this for the actual cake part cause some of the reviews said the cake was bland.



The Martha Stewart Oreo Cheesecake recipe was nowhere to be found on her site! So here is is on 52 Cupcakes.

"

Chicken Tikka Masala Ravioli

Ummmm.... I am totally making this! Dinner party at my house!! Holy cow. I dare you to not drool as you read this and gaze longingly at the photos.

(courtesy of the blog Food In My Beard)

"Chicken Tikka Masala Ravioli: "

This idea popped into my head the other day and I dropped everything to make it immediately. I was hanging out with people when I thought of it and got home pretty late, but still managed to throw the chicken in some yogurt. When you think about it, this recipe is super obvious and I cant believe I haven't thought of it before. The sauce on chicken tikka masala is tomato based and similar to pasta sauce. This came out amazing. We ate it all and even my family who is sort of shy with indian flavors said it was great. I have never thought to put grilled things into a ravioli, but what a revelation. You can really taste the grill flavor as you eat these.

The marinated chicken and some buttered onions. The marinade was yogurt mixed with some curry powder, salt, pepper, cumin, and smoked paprika, soaked overnight.

Tasty stuff! It sucked that there was still a long time until I could finally eat. This chicken was so tasty I had about 5 pieces fresh off the grill.

I saved a few of these chicken tikka chunks to eat with rice tomorrow.

I recently saw this 5 minute ricotta recipe on serious eats. Put milk and vinegar into the microwave, and take out ricotta! I made this in place of the Indian cheese called paneer.

Ravioli filling done.

More store bought curry powder. I am normally not one to use the store bought mix, I like to grind my own! Today I didn't feel that it was necessary.

Tomatoes, cream, and cilantro in, then blend it all up.

So tasty!

So good that I am putting 5 pictures of the final dish. Deal with it.

This meal is such a natural combination, why didn't I think of this earlier?

Mix yogurt with curry powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper until it is a nice reddish pinkish color. Add chunks of chicken. Let it sit overnight. Skewer. Grill.


Along with the chicken, grill some onions that have been spread with butter and salted.


Follow this recipe for 5 minute ricotta. Or this classic ricotta method.


Chop the above grilled items, then mix it all together with the cheese for the ravioli filling.




Make pasta with this recipe. Roll it into sheets and make ravioli.



Make a paste with ginger, garlic, chiles, and curry powder. Saute the paste in butter for 2 minutes. Add a large can of tomatoes with the juice, and some cream. Add cilantro. Simmer for 10 minutes, then puree with a blender.


Boil the ravioli in salted water for about 5 minutes. Toss in the sauce and serve.

"

Trololo Man found!!!

Remember on video week... I wondered where Trololo man was.

I FOUND HIM! SO had a lot of other people on FB... but I had to post this! It is a current video of this gentleman watching all of the youtube parodies of his now infamous song. brilliant. :)

You Know You're From Georgia IF....

Ok - I have had this for a while and thought that it would make an awesome post. It made me pee my pants a little... so true!

A little background. I was born in Augusta, GA - but moved to Watkinsville, GA when I was 7 as my mother decided to go into Law School at UGA. Watkinsville is this tiny tiny farming town right outside of Athens, GA. I think Watkinsville's primary purpose was to provide land for UGA's agricultural school! People say they are from the country, "I had to pass a cow pasture on my way to school!!!" I get a kick out of responding with, "My high school was surrounded by cow pastures and a cemetary." There was one grocery store, Bells. There was one gas station, The Golden Pantry. There was a Dairy Queen. That was it. Anything else and you had to go into Athens.

Now, as I grew up and we all got into High School - "the man" made his way into Watkinsville and created.... a Hardees. A Publix. McDonalds. Blockbuster. A Coffee House. omg.... we were all so excited! I think the town gained a few pounds when the McD's came in. Oh... and let's not forget - one of the very first Zaxby's as one of the founders is from W-ville. I hated it, growing up. Feeling as though there was nothing to do and we were all bored out of our minds. NOW... I kinda want to move back. But only to the Watkinsville of my youth. Not the trumped up, strip mall town of the present. Oh well....

On to the post!!!!!

You Know You're From Georgia IF....

1. You can properly pronounce Chickamauga, DeKalb, Dahlonega, Smyrna, Buena Vista, Valdosta, Hahira, Houston Co., Milan, Okefenokee, and La Fayette.
P.S.. Atlanta = ADD-LANNA not AT-LANT-A.

2. You think people who complain about the heat in their states are sissies.

3. A tornado warning siren is your signal to go out in the yard and look for a funnel.

4. You know that the true value of a parking space is not determined by the distance to the door, but by the availability of
shade.

5. Stores don't have bags or shopping carts, they have sacks and buggies.

6. You've seen people wear bib overalls at weddings and funerals.

7. You think everyone from a Yankee-state has an accent.

8. You measure distance in minutes.

9. You go to the lake because you think it is like going to the ocean.

10. You listen to the weather forecast before picking out an outfit.

11. You know cowpies are not made of beef.

12. Someone you know has used a football schedule to plan their wedding date.

13. You know someone who has a belt buckle bigger than your fist.

14. Almost everyone you know is either Baptist or Methodist.

15. A Mercedes Benz isn't a status symbol. A Chevy Silverado Extended Bed Crew Cab is.

16. You know everything goes better with Ranch dressing.

17. You learned how to shoot a gun before you learned how to multiply.

18. Ironically, you only crave Chik-Fil-A and alcohol on Sundays..when neither are sold.

19. On one side of the road there's Wal-Mart and on the other is a cotton field.

20. The directions to your house include "turn off the paved road."

21. "YALL is a word.

22. Fried chicken is a major part of your diet

23. Krispy Kreme dounuts are the only kind of dounuts you eat.

24. You call it a cold Christmas if you don't break out in a sweat in your new sweater.

25. When a single snowflake falls, the entire state shuts down, even if it doesn't stick. The radio and TV news will make snowstorm reports every 10 minutes and the grocery store will be completely sold out of bread, milk, bottled water, toilet paper, and beer.

26. People actually grow, eat and like okra!

27. You know the difference between a hillbilly, a redneck, and a Southerner.

28. Your dog and your wallet are both on chains.

29. Panama City Beach, Florida is a big deal.

30. You understand that at least once a year your car will turn yellow with pollen.

31. You know at least one Bubba, and maybe a few guys named Bo.

32. You say "tuna fish sandwich." (not tuna sandwich)

33. You use "Sir" and "Ma'am" if there's a remote possibility that person you're talking to is least 30 minutes older than you are.

34. Braves=good. Yankees=bad. Mets=LOATH

35.You love sweet tea, mashed potatoes, biscuits, and all Southern comfort food...and Southern comfort

36. You don’t appreciate it, You preciate it.

37. Your last words might be, "Yall watch this."

38. Herschel Walker, Larry Munson, Sid Bream, Hank Aaron are legends

39. You say and know what "I bet your sittin in tall cotton right now" means

40. You use the heater in the mornin and AC in the afternoon during the "winter" season

41. You might have heard of people finding their lost boat in a lake that has dried up recently

42. You know that Hurricanes are those the really big storms that give us lots of rain and a lil wind while at the same times destroys Florida!

43. You know there is more than one type of Pecan

44. You know the general population in the state will be stocking up on ammo and guns due to the new President

45. You say "mash" instead of "push", for example...buttons

46. The Redneck Games in Dublin and Smileys Flee Market are kinda a big deal

47. Savannah is The place to go to in the state for St. Patty's Day

48. The Perry Fair (GA National Fair) is on your calendar of events every year

And finally...
This one is the absolute Gospel truth! I have said this so many
times!!


49. You are 100% Georgian if you have ever had this conversation:



"You wanna coke?"



"Yeah."


"What kind?"


"Dr Pepper"

The video below shows you a little bit of Downtown Athens, GA. With a beautiful song in the background! Sleepy Time In the South... :0)

(ps... if you read this - and are from the south... leave your own favorite southern-ism!)

Glory!

I had to end You-Tube week on a broadway note!

Ben Vereen.

'nuff said.

(from Pippin... just listen to that voice. See if you can take your eyes off of him....)

Ok - I just have to add - Pippin is an AMAZING musical that most people don't know about. Early work of Stephen Schwartz... of Wicked fame. This has Benny, William Katt (Greatest American Hero!!), Chita Rivera and so many other amazing, talented people. I have it on DVD... come over for a Pippin party!

And another End-Of-You-Tube-Week treat.... Ben Vereen in a favorite childhood show of mine!!

Trolololo....

I am currently obsessed with this... It was shown at a party I went to for my friend Leah's recital (which, btw, was fantabulous!)

I was so taken with it that I wikipedia'd the song and the guy.

He is a Russian "pop star" from the 70s. The song is actually a popular style of the time. It is to tell a story through only sounds and emotions - no words. When I first saw it - I couldn't stop giggling. The man's facial expressions are to die for.

My first impression was that he is the musical Mr. Bean. Mr. Bean never speaks... just kind of grumbles his way through with ridiculous comedic timing!

...... I wonder where Trololo man is now .........

(I am posting the version with lyrics... because it makes it that much better. My favorite is {head dance} )

All I Ask Is That You Listen To Me...

This clip below is from one of my favorite shows - Jesus Christ Superstar.

This particular song is sung by Judas and opens the musical. Kind of an introduction for the audience and a warning for Jesus and all of his followers. Carl Anderson is BY FAR the best Judas I have ever heard. His voice just pours emotion.... I could listen to this over and over.

Enjoy - Heaven on Their Minds

(edit...)I had to come back and edit my own post:

I have to comment on my own post... when he does the first "Jeeeeeeeeeeeesus!" @ 00:50s - it warms my heart with it's beauty

That is all.

Can't read my... Can't read my....

Oh Lea Salonga. I love you. I can mark milestones of my life by your shows. :0)

I also love Lady Gaga.

This. is. perfect.

(I will keep this short after yesterday's Bye-Bye Birdie novel...)

You Know What I'd Say?!

Ok - Today's video comes from a fantastic musical that everyone should watch. BUT - excuse me for not being a purist... watch the 1995 Made-For-TV version with Chyna Phillips, Marc Kudisch, Tyne Dailey, Jason Alexander and Vanessa Williams. It is SOOOOOOOOOO much better than the original Ann-Margaret version. Hearing her sing makes me cringe inside.

Also, the song adaptions in the new version are fantastic and Marc Kudisch is HILARIOUS as Conrad Birdie.

For those of you who are unfamiliar with BBB - it is a spoof off of the fanatic craziness that happened when Elvis was drafted into the army. CB's Manager, Albert creates this idea to stir up craziness by choosing one girl from the fan club that will get Conrad's "One Last Kiss" before he goes into the army. That girl is Kim McAfee - who just started going steady with her boyfriend, Hugo. Hilarity ensues as everyone tries to make CB at home and Hugo is jealous and the parents are upset and Kim deals with being kissed by this man who - as a member of his fan club - has pledged that every time she hears his name - she must let out a bloodcurdling "Birdie Scream"

Anywho - this clip below is from the 1995 version. The girls (Kim's friends) are sitting in the diner lamenting Birdie's leaving - only to break out into an amazing rendition of the title song.

Brigitta Dau plays Ursula Merkle (the girl in the middle!). When I was 14 and saw this - I looked at her with stars in my eyes. She had such amazing comic timing throughout the voice, a great voice and hilarious facial expressions. One of those people who just throws their self completely into the role.

After seeing this - the role of Ursula added to my list of Dream Roles.

(wow... this is a long post about a musical clip... well, you know me and my broadway!!)

Enjoy... (and watch the movie - available on Netflix Watch Instantly!!!)

WAS!!!!

Ok - I saw this as it flew through facebook back in the fall. I then forwarded it to everyone at work. It tickles me inside. This guy (if you can find the original) has a whole series of talking cats. It kills me with smiles! There is one with a mystic cat.
Ok... I might have to post this one too.

But FIRST! Please watch angry cat! Make sure to close the google ads as they pop up so that you can be sure to see the subtitles at the bottom!

AND... just because I love you - Mystic Kitty!

Hello Madeline.... Hello Madeline...

Oh no! 2 days into my blog-fest and already I have failed! Though, I consider making up that blog at 8am to be good enough to make up for it!

Day 2 of You-Tube extravaganza!

Here we have 2 of my favorite funny ladies! Gilda Radner and Madeline Kahn. Both hilarious in their own right - together, they make magic!

I found this little gem a few weeks ago as I was doing a gilda search online. It was a sketch I had never seen. It tickled me so much I even attempted to teach Maggie how to meow, "hello" at me! For those of you who do not know my cat - she is extremely talkative. She usually responded to me with a meow or squeak of some kind. All I was looking for was a 2 syllable response. ;)

Anywho - enjoy!

Week of YOU-Tube... Me-tube? Meep-tube?

As I sit here in a Panera Bread on a Sunday evening, I think of how often I have amazing blog ideas and then I never follow through. Lame. I was introduced to Google Reader last night by some friends and am a little hooked. I want my name on people's lists to always have a new post next to it! I vow. This month. To Post. Twice. A. Week. (punctuation overkill??)

Sooooooo, To begin this, I am hosting a week of You-Tube. My favorite you-tube videos... I shall share with you! If I have a theme day, maybe I will post more that one... who knows! Maybe you will just have to check back often to find out!!


Day #1:

A favorite of mine... so much that I have created a ring tone from it by actually holding my phone up to the computer and recording it. :0) As an Opera person... and a Muppets aficionado - I about peed myself when I discovered this.

So, without further antici........... pation...
(ok, Holly just told me the above doesn't work. For those of you non-Rocky Horror fans, it's anticipation. )

Crispy Cajun Tofu Sticks

Shoooooooowhee!! I am going to have to try this. It looks tasty! I always under-estimate the power of tofu.


Crispy Cajun Tofu Sticks: "My approach to tofu these days is to coat it in some kind of spice mixture before doing anything else. This is a great way to add lots of flavour to the otherwise neutral bean curd. After coating with spices you can fry it, grill it, coat it with sauce . . . whatever suits your fancy. This tofu is dipped in soymilk and coated with bread crumbs (cereal, actually) to provide some crispy crunch. I think these would have been even better with some kind of dipping sauce, so I am open to suggestions.

INGREDIENTS
- 1 pkg extra firm tofu, cut into sticks
- 3/4 cup soymilk
- 1/2 tsp apple cider vinegar
- bread crumbs, or crushed cereal

Spice Mix
- 2 tsp (smoked) paprika
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp ground thyme
- 1/2 tsp ground bay leaves
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp ground pepper
- cayenne pepper to taste

METHOD
1. Mix together ingredients for spice mixture in a large bowl. Add in tofu sticks and gently toss to coat.
2. Mix together soy milk and vinegar. Dip a tofu stick in mixture, then toss in bread crumbs or crushed cereal to coat. Repeat with remaining sticks.
3. From here you have two options: 1. Fry in 350 degree oil; or 2. Bake on a parchment-lined baking sheet in a 450 degree oven for 20-25 mins, turning half way through.

"

Just because....

For Holly,

and

Puppy Love!!


For everyone else,

I got a new job! Actually, it is an old job... but new for this year! More details to follow as soon as I am not exhausted! Now, off to bed!!! 6:30am comes mighty early!

Blog lame-iness...

Sorry for my blog lapse. My back pain combined with this exhausting show has taken soooo much out of me. I am pooped!

(my favorite photo from the Citizen-Times photo shoot!)

The show "opened" last night to a sold out audience of school kids. It was our final dress that they sell tickets to for a seriously reduced price.

It went really well! I am pleased! The performers are hilarious!!! Come see it if you are in town. Don Pasquale. http://www.ashevillelyric.org

I was also in the paper! They quoted me and everything!

http://www.citizen-times.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2010301240017

Oh... and might I point out... the photographer captured the back of my head AND the very computer I am typing this on! *macbook love*

I... am... famous!!!!!

In the theatre!

We have our final dress tomorrow night. It is in front of an audience. I don't have curtain cues, light cues, or anything else in my book.

In Spartan Cheerleader Fashion*

*ahem...*

Who's that SM that's not prepared?

It's Me! It's Me!!

I say, Who's that SM that's not prepared?

It's Me! It's Me!

Uh-huh, Uh-huh, Uh-huh, Uh-huh, Uh-huh....

No Go's!!! WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

*******

Oh yeah, I went there.

Being Silly!

My Stick Family from WiddlyTinks.com

The Back Cracker...

For those of you who know me in person - you have probably heard me grunt and groan when I barely move. My back problems have escalated to the point where my leg felt like it was cursed with the heat of a thousand fires and I couldn't sleep at night.

Randomly, at work, I heard a colleague speak of a chiropractor in Knoxville that she loved. I got his name and I contacted him immediately! I have been going for several weeks now and learned some very scary things about myself. My pain is coming from a bulging disc in my lower back that is pressing/pinching several nerves, including my sciatic nerve running down my left leg. I have had electric stim, traction (that is another post) been twisted into pretzels and cracked, and many many tips from the doctor on how to eat, exercise and sleep.

While the pain is still there, it has moved around a lot! Which is, apparently, a good sign! I am ready for it to be GONE! While, I admit I am more productive in the mornings when I wake up early because I can't sleep - I REALLY miss sleeping through the night!

My day consists of stretching whenever I feel pain, very hot baths and several hours a day on an ice pack. Actually... I am on an ice pack right now! :0) I am doing everything possible to make this better! I have changed my eating habits, I am drinking more water and taking better care of my body. It's like the dude said in the "Wear Sunscreen" song from the 90's, "Take care of your body now. It is the best instrument you will ever have!"

My instrument has gotten a little rusty, but I am well on my way to get it back in good playing shape! :0)

Now that you know more about my back than you should ever know.... good night. AND DRINK WATER!!!