Oh, the cruelty...

So tonight..

We're watching the finale to the Food Network's "Next Star" reality competition.. It was on our DVR so that we could zip through the commercials.. And then..

Emeril is announcing:

"The Food Network 'Next Star' winner is...."

(blip)

Hysterical laughter ensues two seconds after the big blue screen pops on - letting us know that our program was finished playing.....

We couldn't believe it..

So here we are laughing our asses off because it's just one of those things that you hear about, or watch a movie where the famous detective is about to reveal the identity of the murder .... and then ...... something ironic happens that totally shatters the tension of the moment..

We celebrated that moment immersed in one of those gut wrenching laughs which lasted for minutes..

But there's a cruel twist to the story.. Darby had already known who won the contest after having logged on the Food Network website to get a recipe she saw..

The devastation..

This and That

Really life has been kind of just everyday....

Sick/Hurt...Better though

Michael has been working hard. I was sick, then I start getting better, and get a sunburn that was pretty bad. Next, I decided to rearrange the Master bedroom closet and hurt myself. I was lifting boxes and suitcase up and down from high shelves...and proceeded to hurt my back. I had several days of not being able to do much of anything. Thank goodness it is feeling so much better.

Do you ever wonder why these things hit all at once? I will go without something for weeks/months....and then all of sudden IT hits. I will have 3 different things going on at once -- it is very frustrating!

ATC's & Art

I entered an artist trading card show...that is actually going to be in Columbus, Ohio. I wish I could see it when they have them all up!

The first 5 on the left menu are the ones I entered....Torn and Blue, Dreamed of Spectacular, Unexpected Discoveries, Orange Postage, Warmer.

I also gifted some atc's today (mailing some out tomorrow) to several people. I have a few bigger pieces started that I have been meaning to finish up. I feel like that creative well is spilling up and over in so many areas right now....which of course is not a bad thing. I just don't have enough hours in the day!

Tomorrow I need to clean my work room as it looks like a tornado hit it. When I get in a really creative surge, I just pull things out and use them or try lots of different things and then all of the bits and pieces are left about. Usually after I am done working on something or taking break from it...I am moving to housework, making dinner or something like that so cleaning the work room takes lower priority.

Movies

We are really enjoying netflix.com. I really liked Firefly! I would like to watch it again someday...maybe get it eventually as it was very good. And I can't wait for the movie! Eddie Izzard: Glorious is next! I really really like Eddie Izzard and never seen whole acts/DVD just little pieces here and there...so I can't wait to watch it!

Dinner

Okay so tonight for dinner we had a meal we don't have often as it is not as healthy as we would like it to be....grilled chicken breasts (marinated in balsamic vinegar, olive oil mixture with herbs and such), garlic mashed potatoes (added an egg to them - beat - then piped on to a cookie sheet and baked 15 to get a little toasty on the outside), corn on the cob (been craving it a lot lately). It tasted so good to just have indulgence food! We don't eat potatoes that often or corn...so it was a nice treat! Tomorrow night will have to be something more healthy!

White Beans with Pancetta and Sage

This is just such a good recipe! It is has become a favorite of ours.

1/2 pound large dried white beans -- corona beans (have used lima beans too because it is hard to find anything "different" here)
3 bay leaves
3 garlic cloves
1/2 cup all-purpose flour - for dredging
salt and ground black pepper
1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 pound thinly sliced pancetta (when I have not been able to find it I by just regular bacon)
6 sage leaves

Prepare beans - put the dried beans in a large bowl and cover with cold water. Soak the beans overnight in the refrigerator.

Drain the soaked beans, place them in a large pot and cover with fresh cold water. Put the beans over medium-high heat and bring to a boil. Toss in the bay leaves and garlic. Reduce the heat to medium and simmer for 1 1/2 hours until tender. Drain the cooked beans and spread them out on a sheet pan to cool slightly and dry off a little.

Put about 1/2 cup of flour in a shallow platter and season it with salt and pepper; mix with a fork to distribute evenly. Toss the beans in the seasoned flour to coat completely.

Place a large skillet over medium-high heat and coat with the oil. When the oil is hot, add the pancetta, fry for a couple of minutes to crisp it up. Toss in the sage leaves and fry for about 1 minute. Remove the pancetta and sage to some paper towels; now you have a flavor base. Shake off excess flour from the beans and put them in the pan in a single layer. Fry the beans for a good 10 minutes to form a golden crust on the outside of the beans, tossing to cook both sides.

Return the pancetta and fried sage to the pan, stir everything together, and serve.

Neat Link

Permission Cards

Little cards you pick to give yourself permission to do whatever it is on the card....

From the website: "All knowing, imaginative, witty and wise Permission Cards help take the frenzy out of your hectic existence and give you permission to do what you REALLY want."

Quick update

Just a quickie to say we are home...but Michael is leaving again. So I do have lots on my list to do while he is out of town.

Here are just a few random notes....

Our weekend kind of got messed up because of the rain but it still was a good weekend with some positives.

Michael bought the new Coldplay CD....I really like it already...and not even all the way through it the first time yet

Michael took me to the Dollar Tree while we were out of town. He bought me quite a few fun art things! Thank you Michael!

Needing some girl time....talked to Aydeen today on the phone, hopefully going to chat with another friend tomorrow and also going to call Moni this week too! Plus I have done some emails to several friends too.

I am going to do some art this week...so doing a happy dance!

I have been getting lots of wonderful, beautiful, artful maillove!

I am drinking diet coke out with splenda and really like it...or as Aydeen would call it...Splab (since it taste kind of like tab mixed with splenda).

I am going to miss Michael while he is out of town

We both took lots of pictures this weekend. MIchel has me using his old camera so maybe now I am catching the camera bug as I had a lot of fun taking pictures with him this weekend

Very thankful I live in Colorado! It is so beautiful

I am reminded many times over....each day that I am very lucky to be in such a great relationship with a wonderful man. Thank you for for finding me and capturing my heart...I love you Michael!

Out of Town and ATCs

We are going out of town this weekend. We are going with Michael's parents to Hawk Quest. It is in Red Rocks. We go and hike a little ways and then this company Hawk Quest will be there and release their Hawks, Owls and such and the shutterbugs take pictures. Michael will use his SLR and I am using his old sony.

Of course when are about to go out of town I get a really strong creative surge...made a few ATC's in the last few days...

Here are a couple...


Torn and Blue

This one was made out of an article on depression in Psychology Today. So that is why it is painted blue...and is blue.


275

This was made out of bunches of bits and pieces from here and there.