Congratulations to April Fool's Day, who potentially for the first time in history joined in on the fun and played a prank on the world - specifically Western NY - in the form of disguising itself in 70 degree temperatures and parading around as August. Well done, April Fool's Day, well done. It seems as though April plans to continue fooling us for the rest of the weekend, and I am all for it! Bring on the sunshine!
In other news, Relevant strikes again, this time delivering an insightful article on the production of chocolate. A very welcome reminder, especially considering the bounty of treats we discussed yesterday. I really wish everything in the world came with production information, like nutritional information, so you could see exactly where, how, and by whom the thing you are buying was produced. I wonder how many fewer/different things I would buy if I really knew more about their production.
In still other news, right now I'm watching Up in the Air, and I think it's going to be really good. Official consensus to follow later this weekend.
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
This season is not helping me move a smaller body mass across the half-marathon finish line...
Ok. There is something about Easter candy. I would wager it is the most alluring of all seasonal treats, Thanksgiving and Christmas included. Thanksgiving is just one day and Christmas treats are abundant, but non-specific. Check out the usual suspects that Easter rounds up:
Cadbury Creme Eggs. Classic. Some people say they're too sweet; I say they're just right.
Cadbury Caramel Eggs. Potentially even better than the creme eggs, if such a thing were possible.
The Cadbury Train continues with Cadbury Mini Eggs (and two thumbs way up for the Cadbury family...you make my life a better place). These have been sitting in a bowl on my desk for two days and I'm fairly certain I've eaten 90% of them. I'm also fairly certain that the devil himself laid them. They are that addicting.
Holy peanut butter overload. It's twice the goodness of a Reese's PB cup in one delicious egg-shaped package!
This, my friends, is a Snickers egg. If you are unfamiliar with it, become acquainted as soon as humanly possible. These delicacies were recently introduced into my life and I desperately wish we had met sooner.
No wonder the robins come back in the spring! It's specifically to roost in these nests...and then eat them.
Jackpot: Russell Stover Eggs. Any variety is fair game, but it is my personal conviction that the Raspberry Creme ones are the best, with coconut and strawberry following close behind (on my behind) in second place.
Let's not forget about Peter Rabbit, the founding father of Easter candy. No wonder there are so many viable confectionery options considering the multiplicity habits of rabbits.
And here's the best part: we are only scratching the surface, people! The myriad of Easter candy I'd be happy to see in my basket is really unquantifiable (jelly beans and peeps excluded...I know it's unorthodox but I just don't like them).
Did I miss anyone's favorite? Shout it out if so, and be sure to enjoy the bounty of goodness that awaits at your local CVS sometime over the next few days. It's too good to miss out on!
Cadbury Creme Eggs. Classic. Some people say they're too sweet; I say they're just right.
Cadbury Caramel Eggs. Potentially even better than the creme eggs, if such a thing were possible.
The Cadbury Train continues with Cadbury Mini Eggs (and two thumbs way up for the Cadbury family...you make my life a better place). These have been sitting in a bowl on my desk for two days and I'm fairly certain I've eaten 90% of them. I'm also fairly certain that the devil himself laid them. They are that addicting.
Holy peanut butter overload. It's twice the goodness of a Reese's PB cup in one delicious egg-shaped package!
This, my friends, is a Snickers egg. If you are unfamiliar with it, become acquainted as soon as humanly possible. These delicacies were recently introduced into my life and I desperately wish we had met sooner.
No wonder the robins come back in the spring! It's specifically to roost in these nests...and then eat them.
Jackpot: Russell Stover Eggs. Any variety is fair game, but it is my personal conviction that the Raspberry Creme ones are the best, with coconut and strawberry following close behind (on my behind) in second place.
Let's not forget about Peter Rabbit, the founding father of Easter candy. No wonder there are so many viable confectionery options considering the multiplicity habits of rabbits.
And here's the best part: we are only scratching the surface, people! The myriad of Easter candy I'd be happy to see in my basket is really unquantifiable (jelly beans and peeps excluded...I know it's unorthodox but I just don't like them).
Did I miss anyone's favorite? Shout it out if so, and be sure to enjoy the bounty of goodness that awaits at your local CVS sometime over the next few days. It's too good to miss out on!
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Back on the face of the earth
Oh. My. Land.
Let's recap: since the last time I've posted, I've driven an incalculable number of miles, worked an incalculable number of hours, and consumed an incalculable number of Mini Cadbury Eggs. A girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do...and the Cadbury Eggs were necessary to my (and all surrounding living creatures') survival. Trust me.
So here's the real recap:
1. While driving mile 49872348728 last week, I was listening to positive, encouraging, K-LOVE and heard new artist Audrey Assad interviewed. Not only was her interview intriguing (saving me from prolonged-travel-brain-drain), but her music is phenomenal. I've been listening to her playlist on MySpace ever since and can't wait for her EP to come out on May 11!
2. It's currently 35 degrees. In 48 hours, it's supposed to be 70. That's right: doubled. And I will be doubled over with delight.
3. AND the update you've all been waiting for...I finally found rainboots!!!
They are size 2/3, and they are boy's. And that's that.
It's going to be a beautiful week, people. Beautiful weather, beautiful season, beautiful hope we have in Easter's celebration. Can't wait.
Let's recap: since the last time I've posted, I've driven an incalculable number of miles, worked an incalculable number of hours, and consumed an incalculable number of Mini Cadbury Eggs. A girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do...and the Cadbury Eggs were necessary to my (and all surrounding living creatures') survival. Trust me.
So here's the real recap:
1. While driving mile 49872348728 last week, I was listening to positive, encouraging, K-LOVE and heard new artist Audrey Assad interviewed. Not only was her interview intriguing (saving me from prolonged-travel-brain-drain), but her music is phenomenal. I've been listening to her playlist on MySpace ever since and can't wait for her EP to come out on May 11!
2. It's currently 35 degrees. In 48 hours, it's supposed to be 70. That's right: doubled. And I will be doubled over with delight.
3. AND the update you've all been waiting for...I finally found rainboots!!!
They are size 2/3, and they are boy's. And that's that.
It's going to be a beautiful week, people. Beautiful weather, beautiful season, beautiful hope we have in Easter's celebration. Can't wait.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Treasured Memories
Last weekend, my parents went down to Pennsylvania to help my aunt move out of her house. In the process they went through a lot of old stuff which they were kind enough to bring back home and share with me. And now I will share it with you.
The first item was an envelope of letters that I had sent to my aunt through the years. Apparently I only thought of her on Thanksgiving, since every single card was a Happy Thanksgiving!!! card. And apparently, I never learned how to spell "aunt" throughout the duration of my childhood, since I continually referred to her as "Dear Anut Emily." (Dear Aunt Emily, if you are reading this, I do not think you are a nut.) But besides the timing and the spelling, the best part by far was the following: "Dear Anut Emily, Sorry I haven't written lately! This letter is going to be real short because the mail is coming any minute now! Do you like my stationary? We got a color printer so I made it myself! Is there anything new happening lately? Nothing here!" Short, sweet, and replete with 90's enthusiasm.
The second treasure was a box filled with my mom's momentos - photos, letters, etc. One of the standout articles was her driver's ed certificate, which was nothing if not a cautionary tale against ever letting your child get behind the wheel. This paragraph pretty much sums up the doom and gloom: "The automobile is today an essential part of our everyday life. Our children will be using one in their business or for pleasure until they die. How quickly they reach their graves may depend upon how competent and safe their driving is. Won't you help them?" Seeing as how my mom has totaled 5 cars since that letter was issued, the death proclamation didn't quite achieve its desired effect.
Moral of the story: keep anything that contains writing. It's literally priceless, and is guaranteed to make you laugh at some point down the road...a lot.
The first item was an envelope of letters that I had sent to my aunt through the years. Apparently I only thought of her on Thanksgiving, since every single card was a Happy Thanksgiving!!! card. And apparently, I never learned how to spell "aunt" throughout the duration of my childhood, since I continually referred to her as "Dear Anut Emily." (Dear Aunt Emily, if you are reading this, I do not think you are a nut.) But besides the timing and the spelling, the best part by far was the following: "Dear Anut Emily, Sorry I haven't written lately! This letter is going to be real short because the mail is coming any minute now! Do you like my stationary? We got a color printer so I made it myself! Is there anything new happening lately? Nothing here!" Short, sweet, and replete with 90's enthusiasm.
The second treasure was a box filled with my mom's momentos - photos, letters, etc. One of the standout articles was her driver's ed certificate, which was nothing if not a cautionary tale against ever letting your child get behind the wheel. This paragraph pretty much sums up the doom and gloom: "The automobile is today an essential part of our everyday life. Our children will be using one in their business or for pleasure until they die. How quickly they reach their graves may depend upon how competent and safe their driving is. Won't you help them?" Seeing as how my mom has totaled 5 cars since that letter was issued, the death proclamation didn't quite achieve its desired effect.
Moral of the story: keep anything that contains writing. It's literally priceless, and is guaranteed to make you laugh at some point down the road...a lot.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Thank you, Stillwater, thank you.
So this week I'm out on travel for admissions. My first stop tonight was Stillwater High School...a place I thought I had never visited before. Au contraire. I had, in fact, never actually visited Stillwater High School...but I've attempted. The memory of being endlessly lost on back roads before the GPS era entered my life and having to call the school to cancel my visit came screaming back to me as I turned onto said doomed road once again this evening. Lucky for me, all I had to do tonight was follow a purple line, so I arrived safe, sound, and undismayed. I would have been happy with just that.
However, I ended up with so much more. My prize for actually finding the school this time around was AMAZING. Hands down the best thanks-for-coming gift I've ever received at a college fair. I'd start to explain it, but I'd end up in hysterics again, so I'll just show you:
Wait for it...wait for it...
I almost popped a blood vessel when I opened it and beheld the glory before my eyes. A whole booklet filled with multi-colored post-its notes?!?! Do you know how many of those I go through in a year?! A month?! A DAY?!?!?!?! Oh, so many. I flag pretty much everything I read. Hence my unparalleled enthusiasm.
And as if that wasn't enough...they also gave us CHOCOLATES. I would show you those too...but they didn't last long. So...here's the box:
Thank you, Stillwater High School, thank you. You made my day. And maybe my month too, all things considered.
However, I ended up with so much more. My prize for actually finding the school this time around was AMAZING. Hands down the best thanks-for-coming gift I've ever received at a college fair. I'd start to explain it, but I'd end up in hysterics again, so I'll just show you:
Wait for it...wait for it...
I almost popped a blood vessel when I opened it and beheld the glory before my eyes. A whole booklet filled with multi-colored post-its notes?!?! Do you know how many of those I go through in a year?! A month?! A DAY?!?!?!?! Oh, so many. I flag pretty much everything I read. Hence my unparalleled enthusiasm.
And as if that wasn't enough...they also gave us CHOCOLATES. I would show you those too...but they didn't last long. So...here's the box:
Thank you, Stillwater High School, thank you. You made my day. And maybe my month too, all things considered.
Monday, March 22, 2010
It's spring. I have proof.
This weekend, spring sprung in my apartment. It sprung here:
And here:
And here:
And a little bit here...
...something about the combination of ginger and fluffy white frosting seemed springlike to me...and that was all the reason I needed to whip up a batch of these Gingerbread Sandwich Cookies. They remind me of the Little Debbie cookies, except these won't survive a nuclear holocaust or still be perfectly preserved 100 years post-production. That, and they're way better. Sorry, Little Debbie. But you still rock the Swiss Cake Rolls better than anybody, so not to worry.
And even though it's about 38 degrees and windy and raining and freezing outside of my window, all of these things remind me that it is in fact the second day of spring, even if Western NY is trying to prove it isn't.
And here:
And here:
And a little bit here...
...something about the combination of ginger and fluffy white frosting seemed springlike to me...and that was all the reason I needed to whip up a batch of these Gingerbread Sandwich Cookies. They remind me of the Little Debbie cookies, except these won't survive a nuclear holocaust or still be perfectly preserved 100 years post-production. That, and they're way better. Sorry, Little Debbie. But you still rock the Swiss Cake Rolls better than anybody, so not to worry.
And even though it's about 38 degrees and windy and raining and freezing outside of my window, all of these things remind me that it is in fact the second day of spring, even if Western NY is trying to prove it isn't.
Friday, March 19, 2010
There's good news, and there's bad news
The good news is that, thanks to the ever-reliable Pioneer Woman, I encountered a wonderful organization called the International Princess Project. I am about 190% ready to hop the next plane to California and be a double-full-time volunteer for this awesome initiative, which provides opportunities for women previously enslaved by prostitution. In their own words, "International Princess Project advocates for women enslaved in prostitution, helping them restore their lives and empowering them to live free. Through various initiatives, International Princess Project both helps partner organizations increase capacity and provides direct support for women in need."
Their product, Punjammies, are beautiful, hand-crafted pajamas, all of the profits from which go directly to aftercare support for the rescued women. Most of the items on the site are sold out right now - I'm assuming due to the deluge of traffic PW brought in by posting about them on her blog - but I will definitely be checking back again soon to purchase a pair or 200.
The bad news is that last night I was making pizza. That's usually bad news in and of itself, but last night it was even worse because when I opened up the bottle of pizza sauce, it literally exploded. It was like opening up a can of soda that had been dropped - we are talking a 5 foot circumference of sauce here. All over my kitchen. And my white shirt, which is now white with artistic orange splatters. It was at this point that I ascertained that the sauce had gone bad. I settled for sauceless pepperoni bagel pizzas, which were surprisingly quite good. So technically, this is just good news disguised as bad news.
And that's just the kind of news I like best...other than regular no-nonsense good news. You really can't beat that.
Their product, Punjammies, are beautiful, hand-crafted pajamas, all of the profits from which go directly to aftercare support for the rescued women. Most of the items on the site are sold out right now - I'm assuming due to the deluge of traffic PW brought in by posting about them on her blog - but I will definitely be checking back again soon to purchase a pair or 200.
The bad news is that last night I was making pizza. That's usually bad news in and of itself, but last night it was even worse because when I opened up the bottle of pizza sauce, it literally exploded. It was like opening up a can of soda that had been dropped - we are talking a 5 foot circumference of sauce here. All over my kitchen. And my white shirt, which is now white with artistic orange splatters. It was at this point that I ascertained that the sauce had gone bad. I settled for sauceless pepperoni bagel pizzas, which were surprisingly quite good. So technically, this is just good news disguised as bad news.
And that's just the kind of news I like best...other than regular no-nonsense good news. You really can't beat that.
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