Warning: Scantily Clad Swedish Pop-Stars Below

Last weekend, Jonathan and I watched this:

Now, aside from the less than stellar choreography and the fact that Pierce Brosnan might have the worst voice ever recorded on a major motion picture musical (he did receive a Razzie nomination for his performance), it was kind of fun to watch. Meryl Streep kills it as always, the scenery is beautiful, and Colin Firth is just as adorable as ever.

One problem remains. Ever since watching the movie, Jonathan and I have been compulsively singing songs by these folks:

Yep. ABBA in all their tin-foiled glory.

We can't help ourselves. The songs are stuck in our brains, spinning over and over until we have to just blurt out the lyrics at the top of our lungs. "Waterloo" "Honey, Honey" "Mama Mia" "Take a Chance on Me." They're all represented, phrases from one song leading to the chorus of another. It is a sickness. We can't stop.

This morning, as Jonathan shaved and I took a shower, the melodies of ABBA took over in full force and we just let them all out in one final dose. Perhaps if we gave in to the overwhelming urge to release our inner Swedish pop star, the obsession would wane and new, less addictive songs could come into our lives.

So we belted it out, baby. And if anyone had ever seen that sight (or heard it, for that matter), they would probably commit us to an institution. Or sign us up for American Idol (not as potential contenders but as those pitiful early auditions that make you hide behind a pillow). But I think we made ABBA proud.

(Just don't tell them that our version of "Take a Chance on Me" draws heavily from the version performed by Andy on The Office, complete with the "take a chance, take a chance, take a chance" bass line and the pause for, "This is all I ask of you, Angela!")

The Candy Man Can

The snow managed to stay around for another day, and the frosting of white makes everything look Christmasy. Too bad Christmas was last month. But it got me to thinking about a little something that made my 2008 Christmas celebration just that much better than those before. And, lucky you, I'm gonna share.

This past December left me with a lot of time on my hands. With a husband studying non-stop for three weeks of final exams, a girl has got to get creative! So when Martha Stewart published a recipe for gingerbread caramels, I decided it was time to try my hand at candy-making.

Honestly, I was a bit intimidated by the whole endeavor. I am quite the adventurous cook, but something about stirring a bubbling vat of boiling sugar that reached Hades-like temperatures (as indicated by my equally overwhelming candy thermometer) made me shake in my L.L. Bean fleece-lined slippers just a bit.

But I had no reason to be afraid. The process, though time-consuming, was quite simple. Therapeutic, even. After the boiling and temperature-watching part, you simply pour the caramel onto a well-greased jelly-roll pan and let it sit for 24 hours. The next day, you turn the firmed-up caramel out onto a greased cutting board and cut the caramel into bite-sized morsels.

Then you wrap the pieces in little candy papers or foil...

And the results?

Oh. My. Word.

If you like anything that can be described as creamy, buttery, salty, sweet, spiced, chewy, Christmasy, delicious, rich, or satisfying, then just step right up. They were divine. Not to mention the fact that everyone you know suddenly things you are a domestic goddess for whipping up homemade candy and acting like it ain't no thang.

Don't feel like making it yourself? No worries. Because these dandies are going to be making an appearance at our home for years to come, so just stop by our house in the month of December and these will be in stock! (Or maybe I should start my own mail order company? Now that's an idea!)

Don't Be Cruel...

Memphis has snow! Even The King himself is enjoying the light dusting of powder.

When I looked out the window, I was thrilled that the winter blitz had finally come our way, that I would finally be able to enjoy a snow day at home like all my Okie and Arkansan friends. I got dizzy with glee as I thought about the movies I would watch, the sweatpants I would wear, the cookies I would bake, the hot chocolate with peppermint schnapps that I woudl drink...bliss.

Just to confirm my luck, I rushed to the living room, turned on the telly, and was greeted by Matt and Meredith. Jonathan hopped on the computer, and he read the news first:

Both the U of M and Southern Optometry School are open for business today.

Cruel. Just cruel.

The snowy winter view out my new office window and my red rain boots are making it slightly worth it. Just slightly.

Go Make Yourself a Quesadilla...

Anyone catch the Napoleon Dynamite reference in the title? I know it is so 2006, but I sure did love that movie.


Remember how I told you about that awesome quesadilla recipe? Wait no longer.

Meet Susan. (Susan, if you're still popping by the blog every once in awhile, HELLO

Susan is Jonathan's aunt. She lives just outside of Melbourne, Australia.

I want to be her when I grow up.

Aside from her saavy fashion sense, her knack for gardening, her dedicated attendance at Pilates class, her witty sense of humor, and her love for sailing, one of my favorite things about Susan is her way with food. This chick can cook.

When we visited the Down Under chapter of the Landes family last Christmas, each night was a veritable feast. Lamb burgers with tabbouleh and yogurt sauce, spaghetti and meatballs, turkey with all the fixings (as seen above)...I could go on. I left that visit with a new arsenal of recipes to try, including one for quesadillas that she made to accompany a dinner of fajitas and other Latin yummies.

These quesadillas are simple to make, yet complex in flavor. The bean filling freezes well, so you can do as I do and make a double batch to freeze for a night when you don't quite feel like cooking. One bite, and I am instantly transported to an evening around the double-wide dinner table, surrounded by family, with an Australian summer breeze pouring through the windows. Not so bad in the middle of a gloomy Memphis winter.

SUSAN'S QUESADILLAS

Ingredients:

1 yellow onion, roughly chopped

1 clove garlic

1/3 c. sundried tomatoes in oil, drained

1 T. olive oil

1 t. cocoa (I prefer Dutch processed or Hershey's Special Dark)

1 t. ground cumin

1/2 t. ground chili powder

1/2 t. smoked paprika

1 can kidney beans, draiend

1 T. lemon juice

12 tortillas (I used whole grain)

Feta Cheese, crumbled (I used tomato basil flavored) or goat cheese

Cheddar cheese, shredded

Chopped cilantro leaves

Baby spinach

Olive oil for brushing.

Directions:

Place the onion and garlic in a food processor and process until finely chopped. Set aside. Process the sundried tomatoes in the food processor until smooth; set aside. Heat olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and cook for 2-3 minutes until soft. Add the tomatoes, cocoa, cumin, chili powder, and paprika and cook for 2 minutes until fragrant. Add the beans and lemon juice and cook for 3-4 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Spoon the mixture back into the food processor and pulse until roughly chopped but still retaining texture.

Spread half of the tortillas with the bean mixture. Scatter with feta or goat cheese, cheddar, cilantro, and baby spinach leaves. Top with remaining tortillas and brush with olive oil on both sides. Grill on an outdoor grill, grill pan, or skillet for 2 minutes on each side or until the outsides are toasted and the insides are melted. Cut into wedges and serve with lemon or lime wedges, sour cream, and salsa if desired.

If You Like It...

...then you shoulda put a leash on it.Weber here. Just checking in to show you my favorite new toy. Don't worry. It's fake. And there's a little history behind my parents buying me this fuzzy new friend.

Remember that trip to a cabin at Beaver's Bend that we took last December? Here I am, lounging in front of the fireplace, thinking deep thoughts about chasing quail and flashlight beams, eating ice cubes and popcorn, and barking at the cats in my neighborhood back home. I do some of my best thinking in front of the fireplace.

In between lounging, I spent a lot of time on this vacation hiking in the woods. Well, my parents hiked while I ran full speed throuh the forest, leaping over fallen trees and bounding through streams. It was pretty awesome.


At one point, however, I got a bit further away than I intended and got out of their view. It was then that I happened upon an innocent little squirrel. She made a very nice playmate, and I had so much fun that I was howling and crying at the top of my lungs. Little did I know, my parents were at the bottom of the hill thinking that I was being eaten by a mountain lion. Oops. They ran up the hill to rescue me, only to find me jumping around in circles all by myself. It was only then that Jonathan saw my little friend lying on her back in the middle of a pile of leaves, trying to play dead. I saw right through her charade, but Jon pulled me away. Parents ruin all the fun, but even so, I will never forget my first catch.


And last week, when Jon got back from Petsmart, he brought me back a litle souvenier to remember my first conquest by.



P.S. That little squirrel go up and ran away. I told you...we were just playing!

Eye Ball 2009

The moment you've all been waiting for...Pictures of the 2009 Eye Ball! (Did you giggle when you read "Eye Ball" again? I sure did. Its the pun that keeps on giving).

Here's the whole gang, still looking fresh soon after our arrival to the Balinese Ballroom downtown. We had already enjoyed a delicious dinner at the Majestic Grille and were ready to get our boogie on. Jonathan and I commemorating our attendance at this momentous occasion.

What a cute picture this would have been had Jonathan not decided to bust out his GQ pose at the last second in order to get a laugh from his buddies. He's still hot, though, so I can't complain.

A scary close-up after dancing the night away. We are glistening just a bit, but it was worth it.

What these photos don't include:

• My killer moves to "Single Ladies"
• Jonathan's fellow students who decided to throw discretion to the wind by making out, grinding, droppin' it like it was never intended to be dropped, etc. all on a dance floor filled with their current and future professional colleauges. Have a little self-respect, people! (Although I suppose an open bar tends to wipe that whole self-respect factor out of the minds of most people).
• The TWO chocolate fountains
• The 65 year old deejay who still had it goin' on
• The delightful antics of my new friend Tiffany (second from right in the top picture) who can bust a move with no shame in her game. My kind of girl!
• The warm fuzzy feeling of knowing that we not only have new friends here in Memphis, but friends who know how to have a good time! What a blessing.

A Belated Merry Christmas to You!

So remember last month when everyone was posting pictures of their holiday decorations? Well, I was a big loser and was too lazy to upload my pictures on the computer and join in the fun. But just in case you are still in withdrawal from chestnuts roasting on an open fire, sugarplums dancing in your head, and other delights of the season, I thought I'd show you some Christmas cheer anyway! A little something to hold you over until next year...

First of all, take a look at the most perfect real Christmas tree on the face of the planet. I was pretty proud of this sucker. Of course, its symmetrical shape and sturdy branches were a part of that pride, but the bigger deal? I drove to Lowe's, picked this beauty out, hauled it to the front of the store, tied it onto the top of the Yakima rack, and drove it home. ALL. BY. MY. SELF. That's right. I was kicking myself for not bringing along my The Bodyguard soundtrack so that I could have belted out "I'm Every Woman" the entire way home. Booyah. That's what happens when your husband has crazy finals for 3 weeks leading up to Christmas.

The finished product, basking in the glow of our living room. Our living roomt that is still in desperate need of some art or photography on the walls. I just can't find the right thing. But that's a whole other post.

A close-up. I switched up the Christmas tree theme this year with the help of GardenRidge's 50% off sale. Score! We are now decked out in chocolate brown, bronze, gold, and greens, complete with mercury glass pinecones and vintage birds. It sounds old lady, I know, but trust me...in person, it is gorgeous. (Just don't ask Jonathan his opinion. He called me "Gladys" for a week after the birds made their grand appearance).

There was one minor problem with the new decor. Apparently, as I wandered in a blissful state through aisles and aisles of discounted Christmas pretties, I failed to register a potential snag:

Fake birds on Christmas tree + (German Shorthaired Pointer / genetic predisposition to track small feathered creatures) = Conflict. Poor Weber. After de-winging one bird and enduring my wrath, she was a perfect angel for the rest of the season. Maybe that was just because the bird didn't actually taste that great, but I prefer to think of it as a product of my impeccable training skills. Move over, Cesar Milan.

Now across the room to the mantle... The little frames contain old black-and-white pictures of my great-grandmother holding my infant grandmother, my grandpa fishing, and my dad as a toddler in the snow. I love them.

Turns out that those old 3-M Command hooks that we all loved in college are also great for hanging garland on a mantle! And if you look closely, you will see a brooch that is pinned to the ribbon on the wreath. That belonged to Jonathan's great-grandmother. It was a fun way to add a little detail to the wreath.
Off to the bedroom, we go! This fireplace in our bedroom is my favorite thing in our home. It looked even prettier all decked out for the holidays. Memphis is home to an awesome Pottery Barn/Williams Sonoma outlet, so I got this wreath and two garlands (I twisted them together to add a bit more body) for 50% off!

What was even better is that when I went back with my friend Jessica the weekend before Christmas, I found another wreath and two more garlands for 75% off. Now someday if we have some more space I'll have plenty of the matching bay leaf garland to deck my halls completely. Gotta love a bargain.

So there you have it, folks. Our house at Christmas. And considering that all those decorations just got put away about a week and half ago, I guess it's not too terribly late! ;)