MiaMas Dinner

Since Ms. Mia's birthday falls on Christmas her family celebrates by letting her pick what they're eating for dinner. This year, Mia went southern. Well, her version of southern that is. 

She also celebrates by sending me photos in the middle of the night and taunting me with things I won't be eating. At least she's nice enough to send the recipe so that we can make this dinner if we so choose. 

I've never heard of cherry ribs but it sounds great. Miamas also included Frank's Red Beans and a chocolate ganache cheesecake, Mia celebrates in style!

I don't really cook ribs, I love them but when I buy pork ribs I cut it up to use for soups. These ribs look so delicious and sounds so good that I might try and make them this week before the new year and the healthy eating really kicks in. I don't think Nancy will mind. 

Justified

Justified is one of my favorite shows on TV. It's so good that when it's on, I usually watch the repeat right after it airs. It's so good that FX just recently ran a marathon of episodes in the middle of the night and I stayed up until 5am watching it, even though I had seen every episode!

Raylan Givens, as played by Timothy Olyphant reminds me of Doc Holliday as played by Val Kilmer on the movie Tombstone. He's a tall drink of cool water and I'm thirsty. Raylan is a US Marshall in Harlan County, KY where he grew up which makes for complicated relationships with his father (a petty criminal) and the main antagonist, Walton Goggin's Boyd Crowder who used to be Raylan's best friend.

Egg Nog Bread

My friend Stephanie recently posted a photo of some egg nog bread that she made and it looked so delicious I asked for the recipe, after all, I have some home made egg nog sitting in my fridge waiting to be imbibed, or in this case, eaten.

I just made a batch and my roommate delivered them to my family, still warm. My sister called me and the first words out of her mouth were, "tell me you have more muffins!" You can't beat that reaction!

My sister was surprised to hear this was made with egg nog. She was like me, she didn't think she liked egg nog. If you have tried egg nog in the past and not liked it, I would recommend making your own. It makes all of the difference.

Egg Nog Recipe

My brother-in-law Jeff loves egg nog, I've never been a big fan but since Jenn shared her family recipe with me I decided to make this for Christmas this year. I have to say, I am now a fan of egg nog! 

The egg nog I've had in the past had flavors in it I didn't really like, the great thing about making it myself is, I controlled what flavors went in and kept it pretty simple. 

When Nancy found out I was making this she suggested I double the batch. Turns out she's a fan of egg nog also. It was a good call on her part, it's going to go quickly. I've had 2 glasses of it already. I had to do quality control on each batch. 

Jenn suggests making the egg nog a few days before Christmas to let the rum really work its way into everything. If it tastes this good already, I can't wait to see how it tastes on Christmas day!

Darlene Love

It's not Christmas until Darlene Love sings "Baby, Please Come Home" on Late Night With David Letterman. It's a holiday tradition for Dave and it's a holiday tradition for me. This is one of my favorite Christmas songs and I love that she sings it every year. She still looks fabulous and sounds amazing. Now, it feels like Christmas to me.

Home-Made Salted Caramels

I found this recipe on Pinterest, my favorite place to find new recipes. Photos definitely help inspire me. Pinterest is a wonderful tool for bloggers so don't forget to pin any photos on here of recipes that you like. :)

I wanted to make this for Thanksgiving but football was on and I still thought I had a shot of winning at that time so I had my nephew make this Thanksgiving morning with Nancy supervising while I supervised them from the couch. This recipe is so simple and easy Jordan had it memorized by the second batch.

Peppermint Meringues

I haven't made these in a couple of years since I was living in FL last year and flew in for Christmas. I love them. A light holiday candy to counter balance all of the cookies and fudge, not that those aren't wonderful, I normally don't eat a lot of either of them. These, I love. Since I changed the original recipe I couldn't remember how much peppermint extract I added, so I added too much last night but I found my original write up from my old blog so you don't have to have such strong meringues as we are eating.

Fun Foto Friday - Bradley Cooper

I was a huge fan of the tv show Alias, and  loved the character of Will played by Bradley Cooper. I was bummed they never  made him a real love interest for Jennifer Garner's character. That would have been a fun triangle, I'd love to be in the middle of a Bradley Cooper/Michael Vartan sandwich! 

The Museum of TV and Radio had a seminar with the cast of Alias and I was in heaven. All of the cast was extremely nice but there was one who went out of his way to be friendly to everyone and that was Bradley Cooper. He introduced me to his girlfriend, he introduced me to his cast mates, we conversed. This is very unusual. I was a fan before I met him and more of a fan after and I'm so happy to see all of the success he's had since Alias. 

Reality Roundup - The finales

Sorry I haven't been blogging as much as usual. I don't normally have insomnia for more then a day but this last bought has been going on for weeks and you all know, even under the best of circumstances I don't have energy, factor in not being able to get to sleep and I'm a walking zombie. Hopefully this passes soon. A girl needs her sleep. My plan is to shut down the computer sooner and read a book, it won't help me shut down my brain, if I'm reading a great book I'll keep reading but at least I'll be spending those wee hours into the morning catching up on my reading.

Now on to the fun stuff! First finale on the list is Survivor. I watched the first couple of episodes this season and then jumped right to the finale. If nothing else is on, I'll watch the finale of Survivor because I usually follow the recaps online even if I don't watch and since nothing else was on, I watched all 3 hours. Wow, they really drag it out. I think the reunion show flies by the actual final 2 hours of the show has a lot of filler in it.

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

My, what a big sword you have...

I've never had much interest in J.R.R. Tolkien but when The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Rings came out I enjoyed it so much I went to the theater to see it again. I also decided I had to read the books because I couldn't wait a year to find out what happened. 

My friend Bernadette was very cute, she's from the Philippines and when I said I had to go read the books she said, maybe they should have waited to release the books. I had a great laugh and let her know the books were written a long time ago.

I devoured the books, I definitely didn't think they were the best thing ever written, way too much description and too many characters with multiple names, my favorite part of the book was the appendix, I loved knowing what happened to everyone afterwards but I did enjoy the story and eagerly anticipated every LOTR movie and watched them all twice in the theater. I remember bouncing in my seat when Legolas did something badass and yet, I was sort of ambivalent about The Hobbit.

A Saturday Smile

I hope this brings a smile to your face. Enjoy your friends, love your family and count your blessings. Today is a day to celebrate life and those you love! I always say it and I always mean it, I'm blessed with wonderful friends. Happy Holidays!

Fun Foto Friday - Family Togetherness

Nancy and I have been friends since our senior year in high school. She's as much a part of my family as I am. She's been hanging out with us so long that she tells people she's asian. She eats our food, she has the slanty eyes, her dad eats kimchee, she's one of us. Until she wasn't.

I come from a family of 9 kids. While growing up, it wasn't unusual to only have one couch and it wasn't a sectional.  So when we watched tv, we dog piled. This is one of my absolute most favorite pics because this was us when we were on the couch, except someone would also be laying on the other side of the couch. 

As adults, we're just as comfortable piling onto the couch. Nancy was in the middle of the pile with my sister-in-law Christina sitting next to her, squeezed in between every one else. At one point they noticed that they were practically on each other's lap but no one else was on the couch. Christina apologized and was moving away when Nancy said these fateful words, "Us white people have to stick together." Unfortunately for her, my sister Kimberly over heard her. Nancy, who has always told us she was Asian had kicked herself out of the Asian club. She's working hard to get back in. See where she's sitting now.

What's in a name?

The other day I was watching one of my guilty pleasure shows, The League. It's a comedy about a bunch of fantasy football fanatics, the characters are awful to each other but it's hilarious. I watched this show before I started playing fantasy football but now I love it even more. 

One of the characters on there is named Taco. No one ever meets him and asks, why is your name Taco? He's just Taco. It made me think about other nicknames. Right now, I love the fun football ones, Megatron, Legatron (he's a kicker), Beastmode and The Law Firm to name a few.

It's beginning to sound a lot like Christmas

I'm a little behind this Christmas season. Normally I start listening to Christmas music as soon as Thanksgiving is over but I didn't realize my Xmas songs weren't on my phone yet so I just sat down  to do my music.

I love Christmas carols. I love when radio stations start playing strictly Xmas music. My radio usually stays on those stations for a month. In Sarasota they actually had a station go commercial free and 24 hour Xmas the first week in Oct. A little early for my tastes but you know I was still listening.

I went Christmas caroling when I was stationed in Korea. It didn't really feel like Christmas so my roommate and some guy friends (you know I talked them into it, LOL) and I went out to sing for some of the military families. We weren't very good and it was extremely cold but it was a lot of fun and the families really appreciated it. 

Les Miz Monday (updated with new video)

Since Les Meserables is coming out in a few weeks the publicity machine is out in full force but I've been able to contain myself and keep it all for one post.

The world premiere was last week in London and I am lady gaga over her dress! I've always thought low cut backs are sexy. 

Samantha Barks looks amazing in her dress. She's making the most of her red carpet experience and I love it! She was amazing as Eponine in the 25th Anniversary special and am so happy she's in the movie. 

The big red carpet disappointment is Amanda Seyfried. Do any of you like this dress? Here's a link to the rest of the dresses.

The Studs of Sunday- Eric Decker & Danny Amendola

Unfortunately, with one week left to go before fantasy football playoffs I have zero chance of making it in my money league. I'm 10th out of 10. No way to dig myself out of that hole. I know next year I'll be better prepared and won't pick a kicker based on looks who won't even make the final cut on his team. 

The good news is, all of this fantasy football play has given me an appreciation for the studs guys who play football. The last time I really noticed what a football player looked like was when Refrigerator Perry was doing the Super Bowl shuffle. Since I'm out of the money I figure now would be a good time to share my knowledge of football. 

Easy Irish Soda Bread or Scones

Last St Patrick's Day I happened to be in Northern CA visiting my fabulous friend Barb and she made this recipe for us (Su and Nancy were on this trip with me). We woke up to the delicious smell of bread being pulled from the oven. 

She raved about how easy the recipe was, we raved about how delicious it was. She sent a loaf home with us which I shared with my family and they raved. My brother wanted the recipe so she sent it, I don't know if my brother ever made it but I've probably made it about 20 times since then.

Fun Foto Friday - Suzanne Brockmann

This week I'm actually going to post Friday's foto on Friday. Something new I'm trying out. Today's pic is me at my first author signing. I've been a reader for a long time but for some reason never made it to a booksigning until 8 or 9 years ago. I was living in Los Angeles and had to drive out to the Valley but I was very excited to meet Suzanne Brockmann. 

She writes amazing Navy S.E.A.L books with hot Alpha males. If you have never read her Troubleshooter books I highly recommend them. My only caveat is I didn't love the first couple of books but books 3 and 4 knocked my socks off and I thoroughly enjoyed her books after that. Due to the fact that there are recurring characters I think it helps to read from the first book but you could always start at book 3 and then go back if you want to get a feel for her. 

Have you read SB before? What do you think? Either she's really tall or I'm really short, ok, maybe a little of both. 

You're the one that I want!

I debated posting this but you know my love for cheese, I had to share. John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John reunited for a Christmas album with all proceeds going to charity. I don't know if this is how I want to imagine Danny Zucko and Sandy after they drove off into the sunset. Let's not call this Danny and Sandy 2.0.

This video has become a viral sensation with some people loving it, most hating it.  have to say, the video and song are growing on me. Apparently they decided at the last minute to do a video. It cost them $12,000 to do this video and they spent 4 hours before the shoot hashing things out. I have to say for $12,000 I would expect more. No this isn't a big budget video but you don't need a big budget to shoot a good video. Apparently the guy who shot this normally does wedding videos. The rest of the cast were locals in Ocala and John's family which I think is fun. The officer is a natural and that's really his son, although he's not in the military. Here is the original article.

About Last Night: Thursday Quickies

Big Bang Theory: I love this show. My sister doesn't think it's funny at all. She's cray cray. Amy was a bad girl so Sheldon had to spank her. I have a feeling Amy will be a bad girl a lot now. How hilarious was her reaction?

Glee: A great night of singing, the only one that didn't do it for me was Brittany and Sam, I like them as a couple, trouty mouth and all but I didn't think they sounded that great together. I loved Rachel's call to Finn. My favorite song of the night was Rachel singing "Oh Holy Night." One of my favorite Christmas songs and she sung it beautifully.

Scandal: Wow Fitz and Olivia are smoking. I can't think of two characters who ooze chemistry more. Supernatural should take note. Was shocked by the shooter, were you? My theory was Norm Lewis' character was behind it because he seems too good to be true. Can't wait til next week!

Angela's Awesome Enchiladas

Unlike Sharon's Sensational Salsa, I have no idea who Angela is but this is a recipe I found on Allrecipes and it lives up to it's name, Angela's Enchiladas are Awesome!

I don't know why I made this the first time. I'm not a big enchilada eater myself. I think I was looking for something I could make for my family and this was it. Everyone loved it, well, everyone but Nancy, doesn't mean she didn't eat it. She just thought it was ok, it has since grown on her. She has even made it herself a time or two. You can find the original recipe here. As always, I make changes based on my preferences.

About Last Night… Wednesday edition

Supernatural went on their mid-season hiatus and I have to say, I wasn't wowed by tonight's episode or cliffhanger. Doesn't make me countdown the days until it's return. Maybe if they had done a better job of making me care about Sam and Amelia, but I don't and because of that, the ending was weak sauce to me. 

I hear it all the time online how awful Supernatural is when it comes to women and I think I have to agree. I am a total romantic so I should love it when Sam and Dean are in a relationship but whenever they bring on a female for more then one episode the chick makes whoever they're involved with weaker, and we don't want to see the Winchester brothers weak. We want them alpha and bad ass but with a soft emotional center. Same thing with Dean and Lisa, no interest at all. My favorite girl for the boys was Bella who apparently the fan base hated. She was strong and she kept the boys on their toes. I was looking forward to her hooking up with Dean, it never happened. I am enjoying Dean's relationship with Benny, thought that was wrapped up a little early in the ep, should have known better. I think Sam is jealous of their relationship. He should be. Course, those we love the most also have the ability to hurt us the most.

Les Miz Flash Mob

I normally try to spread out my Les Miz love posts but I saw this today and had to share. If I ever get married, I am telling you now, I want something like this. No need to rehearse yet, you have time. They called this a flash mob but no one is dancing but they are singing! I love it! Only wish they had better camera work, where's the videographer?

The Voice: And then there were 4

Do not read if you don't want to know who The Voice Final Four are. Even though I am rooting for Teem CeeLo, because I think he's an awesome coach and I love Trevin Hunte my Adam Levine loving heart is breaking for him. Did you see the prophetic commercial where Adam said there was a possibility of both of his team members going home? 

I really thought Amanda Brown had what it took to take it all the way. She was beautiful, she could sing rock, she could sing ballads, her voice was powerful yet she knew when to tone it down. I fully expected Melanie to go home but not Amanda, oh no, not Amanda!

The Walking Dead Winter Finale

It's the winter finale, 2 more months until we find out what is going to happen on The Walking Dead. Will Daryl and Merle survive? Will Andrea finally figure out the Governor isn't all he's cracked up to be (heads floating in a fish tank are a good clue, IMO)? Will Tyrese live up to the hype? And will anyone figure out that Rock is cuckoo for cocoa puffs? RIP T-Dog's replacement, we barely knew you, thanks to Rick's  hallucination of Shane. 

Here are couple of teeny tiny video previews of the next episode of TWD.  I guess waiting 2 months is better then waiting a year like we have to for Game of Thrones.

What was your first?

Thought this would be a fun recurring post. I'm not asking "who was your first," don't want to get anyone in trouble. Today Kim and I were running errands and the new Maroon 5 song "Daylight" came on the radio and I told Kim I was digging the song. She pointed out he had sung it on the Voice.  I rarely ever like a song the first time I hear it, it has to grow on me so I didn't really notice it then.

The first song I remember really capturing my attention was The Police's "Every Breath You Take" that was the song that I had to listen to every time it was on the radio and MTV (you know, when they played music). What was the first song that made you sit up and take notice? Why?

A heart full of love...

As you know, I'm very excited about the release of  Les Miserables, the movie.  Lei-Lei is even in one of their movie posters. But I've been curious as to how Hugh Jackman would sound as Jean Val Jean. I think he's a great singer, I've heard him sing during the Tonys but this is an iconic role. So I was thrilled to learn that they've finally released some videos of the rest of the cast singing.

Restaurant Review: Palace Kitchen (Seattle)

On Top Chef: Seattle a couple of weeks ago one of their guest judges was Tom Douglas. Tom is a legend here in Seattle (and was an awesome and sweet judge), yet I've never been to one of his restaurants. How in the world is that possible?

OK, I know how it's possible. When you live somewhere you just always think you'll make it there versus when you visit a city you make a point to go. Or I let Su choose whenever she visits me in whatever city I'm living in at the time. 

This past weekend I went out to celebrate a friend's birthday and I was thrilled when she picked Palace Kitchen, a Tom Douglas restaurant for her celebration! It was like her birthday present to me.

Fun Foto Friday - Jason Segel

Technically it's not Friday but Fun Foto Saturday doesn't have the same ring to it. Consider this post a day late or 6 days early. Prior to Facebook I lived in Los Angeles for 8 years and I worked at the Museum of TV and Radio, now known as the Paley Center For Media. The pay sucked (unless you worked in the front office, oh the joys of non-profit) but there were definitely perks. 

One of them was when we did the Freaks and Geeks screening for the shows that never aired due to it's cancellation. I was a huge fan of F&G. The moments were sometimes so real it was painful to watch. It was also where Judd Apatow met a lot of the guys he would continue to work with  including Jason Segel.