What's coming up in November...

I was sitting here thinking of something to write about today and all my mind wanted to do was think about how busy November is going to be. All of the Thanksgiving planning, which is a self professed foodies favorite thing, the New Moon premier which I have a ticket for the midnight showing, thanks to Kim. I am thinking of having a Christmas or New Years party which will take lots of time planning. I need new pictures of the kiddos for the Christmas cards, which I did not send out last year. Goodness lots of things to plan for, I need a good calendar and to-do list, a good organizational program, something to at least keep me on track. If you know of one drop it in a comment.

I was also thinking about my blog. I am planning on doing Thanksgiving recipes daily so you can have, hopefully, some different ideas for the bountiful feast you are planning. I am also dropping the poetic mondays posts, I will keep my love of poetry to myself you all won't have to suffer anymore. I was thinking about replacing it with a book review post but I still need to think about that more. Of course there will be more Twilight Saga talk, only 22 more days until the New Moon Premier.

I will be starting a new phase in my quest to find what I want to do when I grow up, I am studying event and wedding planning, it seems to combine my passions the most, you know the compulsive shopping, parting and food. So wish me luck with that.

If you would like to see anything different in my blog drop me a line, I am was up for suggestions.

Musing Mommies Challenge Post

I am writing this blog today for a challenge set by Kim and Dawn over at Musing Mommies. Their challenge was to write a blog to tell someone how you feel about them. Well here it goes.


Well when it comes to day to day life I can usually say I get along pretty well, I have the love of my husband and my two boys, a roof over my head and a great car(for me anyway) but sometimes there are thing missing and since I live in a house full of boys(yes I said that purposefully)I miss out on girly things and I have three close friends who I can always turn to for some much needed girl time. If it wasn't for Cat, Kim and Jen I would have gone crazy by now in the land of bionicals and army men, they hold me together, let me blow of some steam, bitch about my husband to them and don't judge me when I drink or cuss too much. I love them for being in my life and I probably don't really tell them how much they mean or influence my daily decisions. It is one of them that I call on when I am feeling down, they would come to my aid if I was sick no questions asked and they know that they would get that in return. So Cat, Kim and Jen, kudos,kisses and hugs because you know that I love ya and would do just about anything for you.



Shannon

Recipe Tuesday ... Peanut Butter Cup Cookies

Peanut Butter-Cup Cookies



Makes 48 cookies

Hands-on Time: 15m

Total Time: 40m

Ingredients

* 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
* 1 teaspoon baking soda
* 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
* 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
* 3/4 cup dark brown sugar
* 1/2 cup granulated sugar
* 1 large egg
* 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
* 1 12-ounce package small peanut butter cups, coarsely chopped

Directions

1. Heat oven to 375° F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.

2. Using an electric mixer, beat the butter and sugars until creamy. Add the egg and vanilla and beat to combine. Gradually add the flour mixture, mixing until just incorporated. Fold in the peanut butter cups.

3. Drop tablespoon-size mounds of dough 2 inches apart onto the prepared baking sheets. Bake until light brown around the edges, 12 to 15 minutes. Transfer to a baking rack to cool.

Tip

The cookies can be baked and stored at room temperature in an airtight container up to 3 days in advance.

Nutritional Information

Calories 90; Fat 4g; Sat Fat 2g; Cholesterol 10mg; Sodium 72mg; Protein 1g; Carbohydrate 12g

These are yummy and a good treat for the kiddos. Enjoy

Reading is FUNdamental...

Well, I do have to say my friend Kim was right, I started reading the Mortal Instrument Series by Cassandra Clare and I am really getting into it, Not like the Twilight Saga per say but it is good. I mean really who wouldn't like a tall blonde tatted shadowhunter named Jace. So far I am about 10 chapters in the first book of the series called City of Bones, so if you are looking for something to occupy you time before New Moon hits the theaters read it, it will be worth your while.



This book also looks interesting I might need to go buy it. It is called Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick



It even has a trailer so you can see some of what the book is about, seems Twilight based to me with a fallen angel taking the place of the vampires but like I said before if you are on a New Moon embargo like me it might help you make it through.

Poetic Mondays-Elizabeth Barrett Browning

I love Barrett Browning's work a true Victorian romantic poet. The first poem is well known and the second is one of my favorites.




How Do I Love Thee? (Sonnet 43)
by Elizabeth Barrett Browning

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight
For the ends of being and ideal grace.
I love thee to the level of every day's
Most quiet need, by sun and candle-light.
I love thee freely, as men strive for right.
I love thee purely, as they turn from praise.
I love thee with the passion put to use
In my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith.
I love thee with a love I seemed to lose
With my lost saints. I love thee with the breath,
Smiles, tears, of all my life; and, if God choose,
I shall but love thee better after death.



The Sleep
Of all the thoughts of God that are
Borne inward unto souls afar,
Along the Psalmist's music deep,
Now tell me if that any is,
For gift or grace, surpassing this—
'He giveth His belovèd sleep'?

What would we give to our beloved?
The hero's heart to be unmoved,
The poet's star-tuned harp, to sweep,
The patriot's voice, to teach and rouse,
The monarch's crown, to light the brows?
He giveth His belovèd, sleep.

What do we give to our beloved?
A little faith all undisproved,
A little dust to overweep,
And bitter memories to make
The whole earth blasted for our sake.
He giveth His belovèd, sleep.

'Sleep soft, beloved!' we sometimes say,
But have no tune to charm away
Sad dreams that through the eye-lids creep.
But never doleful dream again
Shall break the happy slumber when
He giveth His belovèd, sleep.

O earth, so full of dreary noises!
O men, with wailing in your voices!
O delvèd gold, the wailers heap!
O strife, O curse, that o'er it fall!
God strikes a silence through you all,
He giveth His belovèd, sleep.

His dews drop mutely on the hill;
His cloud above it saileth still,
Though on its slope men sow and reap.
More softly than the dew is shed,
Or cloud is floated overhead,
He giveth His belovèd, sleep.

Aye, men may wonder while they scan
A living, thinking, feeling man
Confirmed in such a rest to keep;
But angels say, and through the word
I think their happy smile is heard—
'He giveth His belovèd, sleep.'

For me, my heart that erst did go
Most like a tired child at a show,
That sees through tears the mummers leap,
Would now its wearied vision close,
Would child-like on His love repose,
Who giveth His belovèd, sleep.

And, friends, dear friends,—when it shall be
That this low breath is gone from me,
And round my bier ye come to weep,
Let One, most loving of you all,
Say, 'Not a tear must o'er her fall;
He giveth His belovèd, sleep.'

Sunday Night Musings...

Alright, the dishes are done, the kids are in bed and I am doing a blog on Sunday night. I have a need to say that today was fairly good day, I was in a pretty good mood, made Crock Pot Chili and a Pecan Pie for dinner. This weekend wasn't a total loss either, I cleaned the downstairs pretty good to where I would not be so embarrassed if company comes knocking on the door. I also had a good time Friday night with the girls and the advice they gave me was stellar, thanks girls (you know if they read the blog they would know they get lots of praise on here). We went to Vino 100 where the Baroness got tipsy, she is funnier than I am drunk. Then we went to Kirby Lane Cafe which is an institution here in Austin, they have the best pancakes. While we were at these two places Kim's Edward had some fun too, he may have gotten a little tipsy with The Baroness.





So right now I can say I am in my happy place, I have Van Morrison playing on the ipod, drinking a cup of chamomile tea and blogging. I am dreading the start of the week though, I need to make tough decisions and do lots of research on that decision once it is made, so wish me luck that I make the right one.

Talk to you all tomorrow.

Shannon

There is nothing more relaxing....

Than Rob in a bath...


I know it is probably a manipulated picture but it was too good to pass up.

Friday Free For All...

Yeah it's Friday and I really have nothing to blog about so I am just going to ramble on. I do have a Girls Night Out Planned tonight so that will be fun. So lets commence with the girl talk Kim, Jen and Cat because it is needed. That's what I get for living with 3 males. Why do I need the girl talk, because the last 2 weeks have been a roller coaster ride of emotions and I need to let off some steam without being judged and my girls never judge me we just hash things out and let out all the bitchy and snarky comments come out in good fun. We are going to a wine bar here in my hometown and being the kind snarky bitch I am I decided to be a designated driver. Yes you read right I am not drinking tonight, with my new found epiphanies plus the new meds, I have decided to cut back on the drinking, at least the hard stuff (I kid, I Joke).

I don't know if I will blog much this weekend but what I will tell you is that I am on a New Moon embargo, I was getting overwhelmed by all the snippets and previews, I want to be surprised when I see it in the theater not disappointed because I seen it through previews and postings on You Tube. I need to read the book again anyway so I can refresh my memory and then make comments when they do something wrong in the film plus I read so much Fan Fiction my brain is all befuddled with different versions.


See ya next week if not sooner!!!

New Moon Tv Spot

Hey its British Hottie Thursday...

Gerard Butler is todays British Hottie, he is of Scottish descent, but Scotland is still part of the British Isles. He was on Saturday Night Live last weekend and did a great job. He has been in many great movies: 300(where he was half naked throughout), Phantom of the Opera, PS I love you, They Ugly Truth and most recently Law Abiding Citizen. He has beautiful blue eyes doesn't he.

Wednesday night eye candy....

Since the New Moon Premier is less than 30 days away tonight's eye candy is dedicated to the Men of said movie, I said men no dogs allowed.





I love this pic, it has to do with the sex hair and the scruff



All I can say is OH My!!!



Love his eyes



Good Jackson pics are hard to come by, this one shows his pretty eyes


Good night ya'll no more blogging for me tonight

Rave-Nordstrom Rack

There is a new Nordstrom Rack store opening in Austin tomorrow-Yea can you see me jumping up and down. Nothing beats discounted designer shoes and hand bags. Here are the deats:

Austin, TX
Gateway Center
October 22, 2009
DIRECTIONS

A Nordstrom Rack store opening is an event not to be missed! Be among those in the know and find the hottest brands and trends at the best prices.

At the grand opening we will hold our 'Race Through the Rack' sweepstakes*. One lucky person will be chosen to be the first customer to enter the store and have 90 seconds to select up to $2,000 worth of merchandise. Arrive early—the drawing will be at 8:45am in advance of the 9am grand opening. The first 1,000 customers will receive a Nordstrom Rack tote bag as a gift with their opening day purchase.

Also the Domain shopping center is becoming a mecca for all shopaholics like me. There will be a new regular Nordstroms and they are also opening up a Dillards soon, so along with Macy's and Neimans and other designer stores it will keep a girl happy.

Choices...

It was suggested by a friend that I should keep a mood journal to keep a daily record of how I am feeling, I really liked the idea but did not start doing it, I really don't know why other than laziness and self denial. I guess my ways need to change and I to need to express my feelings and thoughts without bottling them up. I think that blogging is a good outlet for me but it is not always a good place to put personal feelings. Case and point: I am part of Networked blogs on facebook so it gets "advertised", for lack of a better word, to all of my Facebook friends to encourage readership. Well as a result of me not trying to hide my depression symptoms any longer I wrote about being put on meds to help bring me out of my funk and got accosted by a bible beating freak about how I should use prayer and faith in God to heal me. Now don't get me wrong I do pray and I have prayed long and hard about my condition with no relief and I am tired of feeling this way so I finally went to the doctor for some help and if meds are going to help I will gladly take them.

Here is this mans first comment: Have you tried obedience to GOD? That is where the true healing power is found! I thought I was a christian until GOD broke though my blind fold of sin which is want caused me to fall on my face before the HOLY GOD! To Love GOD with all your Heart, Soul, spirit, and strength is the Greatest command. Those who do it will find and unsearchable power ... Read Moreand JOY! Love and mercy are the heart of the law! GOD bless you Shannon I will be praying for you to find that something you need and drugs are not the answer, they are the blind fold! (cover up)

My return comment:Depression is a medically diagnosed condition due to the imbalance of chemicals in your brain. Don't go all Tom Cruise on me believe me you will not win. I do believe in God and I pray everyday, so you can go spin your rhetoric some where else.

his comment: There are a lot of medically diagnosed conditions, and GOD can heal them all, I did not mean to offend you but only asked the questions,(have you). As for spinning my rhetoric some where else, you can count on it. Those words you accuse of rhetoric are not mine but are straight from GOD word. (BIBLE) I am not nothing like Tom Cruise, I am an obeyer... Read More of GOD's word, and it took love for me to share his words, I am not trying to win, All who obey, not just talk have already won. I am glad to hear you pray everyday and I will add your (medically diagnosed depression condition) to my prayer list. I know it is a serious matter and have fought with it myself. Shannon, I know you can win because you are a winner when you obey GOD's word. May God continue to bless you and all those whom you know and love.

My Return: I am not trying to demean your beliefs in anyway but you do not know me or my situation so you have no right to judge. So lets say you have cancer are you just going to pray and let God take control when there are medicines out there to help you get better. Yes prayer helps, that I do know, But when there are medically necessary medicines that can actually help are you seriously going to tell someone to Pray instead of getting the help they need through medicines that can heal.

His return comment: How have I judged you? You are right to say I have no right to Judge, that is why I don't do it. God is the Judge and his words are the eternal plumb line. Once again I have only asked (Have you tried) I have not nor will not accuse your or Judge you or anyone else. I offer words of life and encouragement which are not even my own but come from ... Read MoreGODS word. You have accused me of Judging and told me to take my Rhetoric some where else. I have offer words of encouragement, words of truth and life, what you do with that is your choice, you get mad, accuse me or what ever is in your heart to do. I never said pray instead of, but again you are free to speak what ever. Are you just looking for a quarrel? You will find none here only truth. God bless you Shannon

I did not return his last comment because I was angry and I removed him from my friend list. How dare he make me doubt myself more in the lowest point in my life and make me feel worse than I already do. He has no right to demean me and my choice and think that his choice is better. Not everything can be solved by prayer. I will say that I am not a very religious person but I believe that there is a higher power at work in the universe and like I said before I do pray and I do not demean the power of prayer, I myself have seen the benefits. What I do have fault with, however is people who push their beliefs down other peoples throats and think that their way is the only way to do things and make you feel like crap for choosing another way of doing things. His condescending comments made me furious and it is comments like that turn people off of believing in a higher power to guide them. He came across to me as such a pompous ass. So I implore you, did I over react in this situation or was I not strong enough on getting my feelings out there? I know people have a right to their own opinions but does it give them the right to judge and make people doubt their own decisions.

Recipe Tuesday ... Chicken Posole

I was in the mood for Soup today because I need comfort.





Chicken Posole

Jose Picayo

Serves 4

Hands-on Time: 10m

Total Time: 30m

Ingredients

* 1 tablespoon olive oil
* 1 onion, thinly sliced
* kosher salt and black pepper
* 1 32-ounce container low-sodium chicken broth
* 1 28-ounce can diced tomatoes, drained
* 1 dried ancho chili, thinly sliced, or 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
* 2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken meat
* 1 15-ounce can hominy, rinsed
* 1 lime, cut into wedges

Directions

1. Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion and 1⁄4 teaspoon each salt and pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft and beginning to brown, 10 to 12 minutes.

2. Add the broth, tomatoes, and chili and bring to a boil. Stir in the chicken and hominy and simmer until heated through, 3 to 4 minutes. Serve with the lime.

Tip

Frozen chicken can be roasted without defrosting. Add 50 percent more cooking time.

Nutritional Information

Calories 271; Fat 10g; Sat Fat 2g; Cholesterol 66mg; Sodium 788mg; Protein 26g; Carbohydrate 21g; Fiber 4g


See I told you I would do the recipe today, oh those who doubt me.

The Prozac Nation...

So I have joined the masses that are medicated on Prozac. I am not saying that there is anything wrong with it because apparently I needed something. Everyone who reads my blog knows that I have had depression symptoms for awhile now, so hopefully it will help. I of course will keep you all up to date on my progress on the way back to the land of the living. I am feeling optimistic today which is a change in itself.



Hey look they even made a movie about it starring Christina Ricci, I need to put it on my Netflix queue.

Look I know it is Tuesday and you all probably came here looking for a tasty recipe, I promise I will post one later after I get through with this post. Also again I beg and plead if you read my blog please follow it, go over to the green outlined box to the left. Thanks.

Shannon

Sick Again and other stuff...

How many times can one person get sick in a month? Someone enlighten me, I would really appreciate it because it is getting ri-fucking-diculous. I am going to the doctor tomorrow so maybe I will start feeling better soon. I woke up Sunday the a horrible sore throat and cough and then I realized I couldn't talk (husband lets out victory squee, no nagging today). Today I have felt a little better but still no voice. Ok I am going to stop complaining now.

The weekend was good,except for me ending up sick, I downloaded the New Moon soundtrack from Itunes and most of it is good, there are a few song on there where I say WTF but I guess I will just need to wait and see how they go with the movie. Which is now 31 days away, woo hoo, can't wait.

I saw The Haunted Airman this weekend with the girls and I have to say it was a weird movie, lots of Rob though so that got me through it, he had nice hair. It had spiders in it and I absolutely hate spiders so that turned me off too. Thought is would fill my Rob quota but sadly it did not. Might need to go watch a few episodes of The Bad Mother's Handbook, to get my fill, I can always work with nerdy Rob better than Psycho Rob.





So I will leave you with a couple of Fan-Fiction recommendation: Home Run by Jadedandboring
and Illegal Contact by Greeneyedgirl17. The are both sports related, well written and Edward/Bella pairings.


So, another week has started and I need to get on the ball deciding my future, yeah I will get right on that. ;) Oh and one more thing, if you are reading by blog by all means follow me all you need to do is click on the google thing on the left, it is quick and painless I promise.

Shannon

Thursday night eye candy...

It is really the eyes that do me in I think.




See it is the eyes and maybe the scruff

Quote of the Day...

"The first step to getting the things you want out of life is this: Decide what you want."

--Ben Stein

First off I would like to say that Ben Stein is a genius, next no truer words have been spoken, especially to me with the way I have been feeling lately. So I am taking Ben's advice and working on the things that I want and the things that I like to do. It is becoming a lengthy list.

Recipe Tuesday ... Mustard-Tarragon Roast Chicken

Mustard-Tarragon Roast Chicken With Egg Noodles

Ditte Isager

Serves 4

Hands-on Time: 30m

Total Time: 1hr 15m

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup Dijon mustard
• 3 tablespoons cider vinegar
• 4 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• 2 tablespoons roughly chopped fresh tarragon
• kosher salt and pepper
• 1 3 1/2- to 4-pound chicken, cut into pieces
• 1 12-ounce package egg noodles
• 1/4 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley, roughly chopped
• 3/4 cup dry white wine

Directions

1. Heat oven to 400° F.

2. In a large bowl, combine the mustard, vinegar, 2 tablespoons of the oil, the garlic, tarragon, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Add the chicken and toss to coat. Place the chicken in a roasting pan and roast until cooked through, about 45 minutes.

3. During the last 15 minutes of roasting, cook the noodles according to the package directions. Drain and return to the pot. Add the parsley and the remaining oil and toss to coat. Transfer the chicken to individual plates. Place the pan containing the drippings over medium-high heat. Add the wine and cook, stirring and scraping the bits from the bottom of the pan, until the wine reduces slightly, about 5 minutes. Divide the noodles among the plates and spoon the sauce over the top.

Tip

To encourage browning, use a shallow, heavy pan. The more surface area exposed to the oven's heat, the crispier the skin gets.

Nutritional Information

Calories 763; Calories From Fat 32%; Fat 27g; Cholesterol 235mg; Sodium 595mg; Carbohydrate 67g; Fiber 3g; Sugar 1g; Protein 62g

Poetic Mondays-Robert Frost

Paying homage to fall today. I really think Frost was just really mourning the loss of wine in this poem though.

October
by Robert Frost

O hushed October morning mild,
Thy leaves have ripened to the fall,
Should waste them all.
The crows above the forest call;
Tomorrow they may form and go.
O hushed October morning mild,
Begin the hours of this day slow.
Make the day seem to us less brief.
Hearts not averse to being beguiled,
Beguile us in the way you know.
Release one leaf at break of day;
At noon release another leaf;
One from our trees, one far away.
Retard the sun with gentle mist;
enchant the land with amethyst.
Slow, slow!
For the grapes' sake if they were all,
Whose leaves already are burnt with frost,
Whose clustered fruit must else be lost-
For grapes' sake along the wall.

Rain, Rain Go Away...

I know we need the rain here but it has been cloudy and depressing all week and I want to see the sun, maybe it will improve my mood. I have been down in the dumps all week plus being sick so with all of my down time I have been doing some soul searching and I am realizing that I am not happy with the direction my life is going. I need something new, something different, but I have no clue as to what that is, so I do what I do best and hide, yes you can imagine me cowering in my bed hiding under the covers waiting for this to pass because I fear where it will take me. I am not always the bitchy, snark of a girl everyone sees, no, I am a self conscious, doubting girl underneath it all, wishing I had all the confidence to go out and pursue something new. I am working on it though, I am researching and taking notes in my head of things that I would like to do and I have several things in my head, what I do know though is that I don't like to sit in a classroom and sit for hours on end, I want something hands on, so now I sit and wonder what that will be and hope and pray that it will be good for me.

Now for lighter subjects, I have also been reading lots this week and have come across some great FF stories: Mood Ring
is a Jasper/Bella pairing it is really angsty in the beginning but gets better.
House of the Rising Sun is a Edward/Bella pairing and it is different than the usual, Edward has a rare genetic disease and Bella is trying to help him with it. It is also full of Angst and starts out with Bella and Jacob as a couple. As you can see I have been full of Angst this week so what I read goes with my moods.

Hope the rest of your Sunday is bright and shiny, I am staying in my PJ's and curled up on the sofa with my laptop in my lap waiting for the rain to come to an end, you all might need to send in an ark later if it doesn't stop, I will keep you all informed.

Ok 1 Pic to feed my Rob Addiciton

A song that I could not get out of my head...

Falling In Love At A Coffee Shop - Landon Pigg

I don't know why I could not get this song out of my head today, but at least it is a good one. Landon Pigg is a fairly new discovery for me, his performance in the Roller derby movie "Whip It" was a surprise in itself.

A little eye candy for tonight

I know this is an over used image but it is one of my favorites, it is the looks that makes me go weak in the knees. Plus it is probably on this site in another post somewhere but I really don't give a damn.




This is for D, I know you love him, this is a good one.

Sick and Tired of Sick and Tired

I know, I don't have any Hot British Men you can look at yet because yet again I am sick. One of the men in my family have brought home what I assume to be a cold virus because I woke up today feeling like I got run over by a Mac Truck. My head feels like it is 300 pounds and I am f"kin dizzy and there is a whooshing sound in my ears, probably why I am so dizzy. Why am I getting all the illnesses, I really want to know, I take my vitamins, I load up on the vitamin C, so tell me, why me. I don't like the feeling cold medicine gives me, I don't like feeling I am disconnected and far away, the dreams and hallucinations are great though, I have great dreams of my fantasy man in some compromising situations so that's not bad at all. So if any of you in the blogosphere have any cold remedies or preventions out there let me know because apparently I need them.

One bright spot in my day is the premiere of the "Meet me in the Equinox" video for the New Moon Soundtrack. It gives more glimpses of the movie and it is not Jacob centric which I like because I am Team Edward all the way.

Death Cab For Cutie - New Music - More Music Videos

Fan Fiction recommendation for the day: The Resolution By Coldplaywhore
shannon