I'm working on the belated Friday post right now. It should be up around 5'sh assuming my brain doesn't explode before then. I'm working on an hour's worth of sleep here, so you'll have to excuse my being so slow in posting it.
Gah...*gets to work typing*
Five hours later......
Real World:
- I've got the next four days off...thank you God. I can't deal with anymore fights between old women. I've had my fill for the week thank you very much. I love the people I take care of, but man do they bitch and bicker. Yesterday at supper, three ladies got into an argument over an oatmeal cookie. That's right, an oatmeal cookie. We had to break it up when one of the ladies threatened to climb over the table and smack "the holy shit" out of the lady across from her if she didn't "shut her wrinkled trap". They're actually very sweet ladies, they just don't take any shit off of anyone. But yeah, I'm glad to be away for a few days. I feel like my head might explode if I don't.
- July 4th is approaching fast and Jason has to work. Blast it! That's the part about his job that I hate most. He always has to work holidays and it sucks. I guess I can persuade my mother into going to Tybee Island with me and watching the fireworks. I really don't feel like going by myself. I've posted some local July 4th festivities a little on down the page. Just scroll and you'll find them.
- I took Matt to the library today to check out some books and I snatched up the "Pride and Prejudice" vhs series. Damn them for not having it on dvd. Anyways, I'm going to curl up on the couch tonight and wallow in Colin Firth goodiness. I wish some of you gals lived near me, because I'd invite you all over and we'd coo and purr over the sexiness that is Mr. Darcy. That scene where he takes a dip in the lake to cool off...gah. wet Darcy...hot, sticky, wet Darcy. *sighs*
- While I was at the library, I brought in a list of Harry Potter books that they didn't have. The nice little lady at the desk, who I'm sure thinks I'm some obsessed freak, told me that the library would put in an order and the books should arrive in the next day or so. Oh...brand new Harry Potter books! My heart is all aflutter! She said she'd call me the second they get them. Gennie is excited! :)
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Fourth of July in Savannah:
- If you're looking for some good BBQ and patriotic music, you might want to head over to the Savannah Winds Independence Day Patriotic Concert and Barbecue Dinner at AASU. Here's the info:
When: Sunday, July 4, at 3 p.m.
Where: Fine Arts Auditorium, AASU. Dinner: university cafeteria.
Cost: $8 general admission in advance, $10 at the door. Senior citizens, military personnel, children or students, $6 in advance or $8 at the door.
- We usually head out to Tybee every year for the fireworks. Here's the info for those of you wanting to do the same:
When: July 3rd, around 9:15 p.m.
Where: Tybee Island. Fireworks will be staged close to the pier, but can be viewed from any of the Tybee's eastern beaches.
- The Fantastic Fourth Celebration, hosted by the Savannah Waterfront Association, looks promising. There will be live entertainment, and arts and crafts. The 22 minute fireworks extravaganza, choreographed to music on KIX 96, is one of the largest displays in the Southeast and features the largest single firework shell ever shot in the state of Georgia! Fun, fun, fun. We went last year and had a blast! I suggest getting there VERY early. And bring a rain poncho and umbrella just in case. Last year was almost rained out.
When: July 4th @ 9:30 p.m.
Where: River Street
- Ready for some all-American recipes? Try these:
Apple Pie
(4 POINTS for those of you on Weight Watchers)
1 cup all-purpose flour
2 tsp sugar
3 Tbsp reduced-calorie margarine, chilled and cut up
2 Tbsp water, or more if necessary
4 medium apple(s), McIntosh, peeled and thinly sliced
1/4 cup sugar
1 Tbsp cornstarch
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/3 cup uncooked old-fashioned oats
5 Tbsp all-purpose flour
2 Tbsp sugar
2 Tbsp reduced-calorie margarine, melted
Preheat oven to 400ºF.
To make the crust, combine 1 cup of flour and 2 teaspoons of sugar in a large bowl or food processor. Add 3 tablespoons of chilled margarine and process (or mix together with your fingers if you do not have a food processor) until mixture resembles coarse meal. Add cold water, one tablespoon at a time, and process or mix until a manageable dough forms. Press dough into the bottom and up the sides of a 9-inch pie plate. Pinch the edges to form a decorative rim; set aside.
To make the filling, combine apples, 1/4 cup of sugar, cornstarch and cinnamon in a large bowl; toss to coat apples. Arrange mixture in prepared piecrust.
To make the topping, combine oats, 5 tablespoons of flour, 2 tablespoons of sugar and melted margarine in a small bowl; sprinkle over apples.
Bake until apples are tender and crumb topping is golden brown, about 45 to 50 minutes. Allow to cool for 30 minutes before slicing into 8 pieces.
Fourth of July Cookies
3/4 c butter, softened
1/3 c sugar
1 ts Vanilla
1/4 ts Almond extract
1 c Flour
1 c Semisweet chocolate chips
1 c Slivered almonds
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Cream butter and sugar together using an electric mixer at medium speed. Add vanilla and almond extracts and mix thoroughly. Add flour, chocolate chips, and almonds and mix till just blended (don't overmix)
Use an icecream scoop to drop the dough onto ungreased cookie sheet (this ensures the cookies are uniform in size). Press cookies down using the palm of your hand
Bake for 10-20 minutes of until golden in color.
Laura Bush's Oatmeal-Chocolate Chunk Cookies
1 1/2 cups (3 sticks) butter, at room temperature
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup light-brown sugar
3 eggs
1 tablespoon vanilla
3 cups flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons cinnamon
3 cups quick oats (not old-fashioned)
2cups chopped walnuts
1 1/2 packages (8 ounces each) chocolate chunks (3 cups)
2 cups coarsely chopped dried sour cherries
1. Heat oven to 350 degrees.
2. With electric mixer, cream butter and both sugars. Beat in eggs one at a time, then beat in vanilla. Add flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon and oats; slowly beat until blended. Stir in walnuts, chocolate and cherries. Drop by tablespoonfuls onto cookie sheet covered with parchment paper.
Bake 12 to 15 minutes, until golden brown. Makes about 8 dozen cookies.
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Memes:
- Friday Five is no better this week. That's it people, starting this Friday, I'm going to start creating my own little Friday Five questions. I don't care if they're official or not. Blah.
What's the truth about you?
Oh good Lord, you can't handle the ugly truth. Oh, you can eh? Okay, so the truth is...
: I'm just a big softy really. I really am nice once you get to know me.
: In real life, I avoid confrontation at all costs, but won't back down from a fight either.
: I tend to be quiet and reserved, bordering on aloof and snobby.
: I deny it a lot, but I do believe that I'm smarter than 95% of the people around me.
: I also believe that I have more common sense than most people.
: I'd much rather sit down and read a good book than go out and party.
: I flirt a lot, even though I know it's wrong.
: There's a lot of liberal left in me and every once in a while it rears it's ugly head. I don't show this part of me on the blog much.
: It's not in me to be completely happy about anything.
: I hold grudges and it's very hard to get back on my good side.
: On most nights, I can answer 80-85% of the questions on "Jeopardy" correctly. If I had the money, I'd go on the show.
: I have a hard time telling people no. This pisses me off damnit.
I think that's about it. There's the ugly truth about me. Not all of it of course. I have to keep some of it private you know.
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Entertain Me:
- Victor was voted off of Blogtiki in the latest Survivor Blogosphere. That leaves three players: Jimmie, Lynn, and Lemur Girl. The latest Immunity Challenge is up right now. So head over, read the entries, and vote on the best one!
(Psstt...Entry #2 gets brownie points for mentioning me) ;)
- Apparently, you can download "that Michael Moore movie" online. I'm not going to post any urls, but let's just say that Google is your best friend. I've seen a lot of people talk smack about it, yet they haven't seen it. You may have noticed that I have not. Why? Well...I haven't seen it! I'll reserve my opinion until I've seen the movie. All I know he isn't getting any of my hard-earned money, and if it means watching it on the net, then so be it.
- Britney Spears is getting married...again. Why? WHY????? Why in the world would ANYONE want to marry her? I mean, sure she's rich as sin and has a nice rack and buns...but other than that? She's not very nice and she can't sing worth a shit. And she had sex with Colin Farrell, you so just know that she's eat up with some nasty venereal disease. Did I mention that she can't sing? Homewrecker.
- A miffed Ralph Nader, angry that he didn't receive an invitation to the premiere of "that movie", has called Michael Moore a giant beach ball . How sad is it when Nader is making fun of you? 
- I'm totally diggin the new layout Rachel hooked me up with. I know I said it before, but she totally rocks. She's awesome. I'll try to create some more skins this week.
P.S. Love the new cut Rach...lookin' good. :)
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Let Freedom Reign!:
- U.S. handed over full sovereignty today to the Iraqi government, a full two days ahead of schedule. I think this is GREAT news! I hope all you neigh-sayers who said it was never going to happen are eating your words damnit. I'm sure the road ahead is going to be a bit rocky at first, but this is the first important step in the Iraqi people governing themselves. I don't know about you, but I'm very proud right now. :)
- Allah has the exclusive letter from Terry to Waffles. Fuck indeed.
- Jen takes takes a moment to discuss the historic day. She also discusses Waffle's reaction to it.
- Ramblings' Journal has a photo essay on Tony Blair and President Bush at the moment of sovereignty. Check it out! (Hat tip to Wizg)
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Top 5 Blog Posts of the Week:
I feel like such a bad little blog reader, but I didn't have the time to catch up on the blogs this week. So, you'll have to wait until this Friday for the Top Five. Sawee :(
But hey good for you! That means you have an extra four days to write something really cool that'll catch my attention. :)
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Friday Monday Music :
We all agreed that some good rainy day music was in order. Well, I hope that you like what I picked. These are two songs that, to me, just seemed cool to listen to on a rainy day.
Oh and for those of you looking for some Chris Isaak, I'm afraid that he's not in this post. I'm saving him for this weekend. The song that I wanted just didn't fit into the whole rain theme I had going. *pats head* Don't cry...he's only four days away. ;)
You know the rules:
- DO NOT STREAM!
- Right Click/Save Target As.
- Files will stay up for 24 hours and then they're gone forever.
- If you like the music, purchase the cds! Keep the music flowing people.
- A bloody "thank you" would be nice.
Right. Learn it. Know it. Live it.
Billie Myers - Kiss the Rain / Purchase
Travis - Why Does It Always Rain On Me / Purchase
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Et Finalement:
Okay, I'm out. Sorry for the crazy post, but I'm trying to save some of my mojo for the Friday post, which YES will be posted on Friday.
xoxo