M and Emmy’s

So I’ve been watching a lot of the new fall shows coming out. I thought in honor of these new and returning shows, I’d do a little Emmy’s of my own- sharing with you the highs and lows as I’ve seen them so far:

M and Emmy’s

1. Best “big break”- Kate Hudson (Glee). While Ms. Hudson has been in movies for years and years, I’ve never seen her on the silver screen. As Rachel Berry’s feisty new broadway choreography teacher, she’s a fun character and I remember why I like her!

2. Best raunchy humor- Two Broke Girls– When I watch this show I do a lot of face palming, wondering if I should feel bad about laughing at some of the jokes. But at the end of the day, isn’t that what good comedy is? It pushes boundaries and makes us think about our beliefs, question them, and laugh until our guts hurt.

3. Best remake- Elementary. So the Sherlock Holmes thing has maybe been done about a bajillion times. And this show feels an awful lot like ABC’s Castle to me. But that is actually one of the items in the plus column- I love the combination of chemistry and mystery that Castle brings, and this show seems promising so far.

4. Best child actor- The New Normal. Okay, I don’t know this little girls’ name, but she is freaking hilarious. The whole Little Edie thing from the last episode I saw (I’m a bit behind) had me cracking up, and she adds a lot of heart to this show, which is one of my favorite new shows this fall.

5. Best wardrobe- Okay, it’s a tie between: Zoe Hart (Hart of Dixie), Emily Thorn (Revenge), the entire cast of Glee, and the entire cast of Gossip Girl. They are all winners in my heart.

6. Best reality show- Breaking Amish. So this show gets a little boring, but I like the way they call non-Amish people “English,” as though we’re Britons. It interests me for now, and its slightly less of a guilty pleasure than Honey Boo Boo, which I also like quite a bit. Also a current fave is “Abby and Brittany,” also on TLC along with the aforementioned two shows.

Perhaps next week I’ll come back with some “worsts” or some more bests to add to this list.

 What TV hits or misses have you seen so far this year? What bests or worsts would you add to my list?

Meri

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Remember this? episode 15

So, it just happens that I’m kind of hungry right now. Not hungry enough to haul my butt into the kitchen to actually make a snack, but hungry enough to dedicate tonight’s post to a “food only” edition of:

Remember This? episode 15

1. Orbitz– Not to be confused with everyone’s favorite travel search engine, Orbitz was a bizarre drink resembling bubble tea which had little blobs of jello or something in it (they “orbited” around in the drink, get it?). I have to admit I tried this exactly once, gagged, and never bought it again. I don’t even want to think about what the little balls were, or how they made them float. Gross.

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2. Flintstone’s Push-ups- Also known as “the one kind of push-up my scrawny arms can get on board with!” These delicious fruity sherbet-like treats were my go-to item to beg for at the grocery store (other than Archie comics, that is). We didn’t buy them very often, but man I can still taste them.

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3. Gushers– Okay, so far all I know these things could still be around, but back when I was a kid these things were so popular they could NOT be stopped. I just loved these gem shaped, super chewy fruit snacks with a sweet but tart fruit syrup filling. I bet I would still love them today, I have no shame about it.

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4. Code Red (Mountain Dew)– Okay, so these days Mountain Dew makes every single color and flavor of citrus-like soda you could imagine, with varying degrees of “extreme” label like “voltage” and “live wire.” But back in the day there were no strawberry kiwi or wild strawberry banana or bright blue flavors, there was just the shirley-temple like Code Red. And at my first job when I was a wee 15 year old,  along with my fried rice from Leeann Chin and my Twix bar, I enjoyed a delicious code red each and every shift. Again, I have no shame. This crap is delicious.

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5. Doritos 3D- Okay, so I might be combining a couple of Doritos promotions into one here, my memory fails me (probably from Code Red poisoning). I do believe that when Doritos rolled out their “3D” variety it was at the same time as the commercials they had where Ali Landry (why do I know who she is?) put them into a dryer at a laundromat and then ate them as they shot out of the door (what? why did this make sense? it makes no sense whatsoever. Am I remembering this wrong?). Anyway, I don’t think they make these anymore. They were essentially Bugles. Doritos I no longer enjoy the way I did as a kid, I don’t like the cheesy powdery film all over them.

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Alright kiddos- there you have it! Now don’t let yourselves get so hungry that you start deluding yourself that Code Red and Gushers taste good (as I clearly have). Heck, if I wait any longer I might start think Orbitz looks good-  yikes!

Meri

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Bargain Baking

So, I’ve become sort of pathetically obsessed with this one frozen entree from Amy’s Kitchen; the Mexican Tamale Pie.

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A delicious combination of beans, tomatoey sauce, corn, veggies, and cilantro, this is like a meal made out of salsa, I think. It’s a little skimpy on its own so I usually put it on a bed of pasta, rice, quinoa, cauliflower, etc. I also tried to put it in a tortilla once but tragically it leaked all over the plate.

So even when this meal is on a great sale at the store, it still rings up at nearly 3 dollars (and I don’t even want to admit what I’ve seen it go for as full price at some stores). Therefore, I read the ingredient list and thought to myself, “for crying out loud, I can make this myself.” Making it even easier is the fact that I don’t like the cornbread-style topping, so basically I was looking at three ingredients, more or less:

  1. pinto beans
  2. tomatoes/ tomatoe paste
  3. corn

Other than that, I can use my spice drawer to give garlic and onion flavors, as well as sriracha to give it some heat. Here’s what I whipped up:

So how did it turn out?

Well, to be honest it was fine (I put this batch on top of some quinoa) but I really missed something distinct in the Amy’s concoction. It might have just been the cilantro, but it might have been something else. In version 2.0 I used tomato paste too, but it didn’t still have the same somethin’ somethin’.

So I guess it’s back to the drawing board!

Do you ever try to recreate a restaurant or frozen meal from scratch to try to save some money? Any success stories?

Meri

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A Shore Bet

As promised earlier this week, here are a few of the best photos from up on the North Shore this past weekend. We stayed at Lutsen Resort, and just like the other two times I’ve stayed there (other visits were in the poplar river condos during summer and in the condos up by the mountain in the winter). This time we stayed at the main lodge, and it was really fun! So here you go:

And now, I’m going to return to watching Honey Boo Boo (it’s worth it for Mama June’s squinting Bingo faces, I promise)

Meri

 

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Remember This? episode 14

Hello all! We spent the weekend up on the north shore, enjoying friends’ wedding festivities, the lake (Superior), and the outstanding weather we lucked out with. I’ll share some photos later this week, but for today I wanted to get in a dose of Remember this, before I… forgot! (har har)

Here it is-

Remember This? Episode 14

1. Lurlene McDaniels books: Okay, I looked into this because I couldn’t remember the names of any of these novels that I tore into circa 5th grade, but I just knew they were all about kids who were dying or had terminal illness. Sure enough, I looked it up and there was a series of her novels called “one last wish,” and they all centered around a house for terminally ill teens. The names are uber cheese fest such as, “she died too young,”  “a time to die,” “sixteen and dying,” “please don’t die,” and “mother, help me live.” Good grief, why did I buy into this garbage? I’m embarrassed to even be writing this but hoping someone, SOMEWHERE, read this crap too and can tell me I’m normal for having read so many of these within a year or two of middle school? anyone?

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2. Mood rings: Okay, I didn’t grow up in the 70s when these were first a fad or whatever, but in the NINETIES when all of the 70s trends came round again, I was mega into these. I had one that I found on the sidewalk that didn’t work anymore but was heart shaped, and I still have it. I think mood rings are the coolest! I also had a little strip of paper I bought at Claire’s or somewhere that could just use your finger’s temperature to tell your “mood” instead. The rings were cooler, though. They also came in necklaces and such.

3.  Reality Bites:  Okay, so to be fair I didn’t really understand this movie and the generation it defined when I first saw it, but then when I rewatched it in high school or beyond it suddenly made a lot of sense. I saw it on TV recently and couldn’t help dancing along with Winona Ryder and Janeane Garofalo to “My Sharona” and making fun of slacker Ethan Hawke as he whines the lyrics to a Violent Femmes song… Oh, the 90s. Oh the humanity. Love this film.

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4. Sega Genesis: Oh man, when this system first came out I about died of excitement. I spent hours playing Sonic and Tails. Years, hours, entire weekends… entire SUMMERS trying to defeat our “Aladdin” game. I don’t know why Sega resonated with me so much more than the Nintendo games, but I guess I just liked the music and style more. I still can hear the opening brand music singing “Seeeegaaaaaa” with the bright blue letters on white background.

5. Troll dolls: I don’t think I’ve actually written about these yet, but I FEEL like I have because they were so pervasive. The regular sized troll dolls, the miniature ones, the ones with little jewels in their belly buttons called “treasure trolls,” the Bridal trolls, career trolls… what on earth? My sister and I even took a “group photo” of our 75,000 troll dolls we had amassed at some point (I think when we had grown out of them and suddenly realized with a shock how out of control our collection was) and it probably numbered a population of about 50. Yowza. You gotta hand it to toy makers, though- this was a creative fad!

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So tell me- WHO READ THOSE TERRIBLE BOOKS WITH ME? Or will you guys at least fess up to the troll dolls and mood rings, if not the terrible melodramatic dying books?

Meri

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It’s in the bag…

I’ve got my new bag, s0 now I’m ready for school to start tomorrow!

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It has a zippered main section, a padded laptop sleeve, spots for my favorite pens, and a pattern I adore.

Not that a 27 year old should need “school supplies” to go back to school, but it doesn’t hurt! Now to pick out an outfit… (hint, it will probably involve yoga pants and/or a smock-like dress. Unlike the first day of kindergarten in my little knit skirt suit, I’m hoping adults are allowed to go casual…)

What is/was your favorite part of going back to school? What kind of a bag do you use for school or work?

Meri

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Book Nook

Hi there friends,

About a year ago I posted about the books that were my favorite as a child.  While I continue to love Strega Nona and Mooncake and all of the books I listed, I wanted to follow up and include some of the books I’ve discovered in recent years, whether reading to my nieces (and now nephew), reading to kids at work, or just sifting through at the book store.

So here’s my version 2.0.

Meri’s “Second Childhood” Reading List

1. Giraffe’s Can’t Dance by Giles Andreae. This is a charming story about self-acceptance, confidence, and finding the music that “moves” you and inspires you. Sounds cheesy, and maybe it is, but I love the colorful pictures, the lovable giraffe Gerald, and the message. And I always loved a book that rhymes.

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2. the Fancy Nancy series by Jane O’Connor. These books are so fantastic that I think I enjoy them as much as kids do. They are informative enough to stimulate curiosity and learning for kids, “fancy” enough to be beyond fun, and full of enough energy to get you through story time and beyond. When I read these books I feel like a kid again, ready to melt into an afternoon of imaginative play.

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3. The Paper Bag Princess by Robert N. Munsch. Not to give spoilers or anything, but this princess totally rescues herself (and others). Girl Power! Plus I think she looks pretty darn chic in that lunch sack. ‘Nough said.

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What is your favorite picture book, whether a childhood classic or a later-in-life find? Have you read these stories?

Meri

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silver white winters that melt into springs…

Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens
Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens
Brown paper packages tied up with strings
These are a few of my favorite things

Cream colored ponies and crisp apple streudels
Doorbells and sleigh bells and schnitzel with noodles
Wild geese that fly with the moon on their wings
These are a few of my favorite things

Girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes
Snowflakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes
Silver white winters that melt into springs
These are a few of my favorite things

When the dog bites
When the bee stings
When I’m feeling sad
I simply remember my favorite things
And then I don’t feel so bad

-The Sound of Music

What on earth is today’s post about? Well, I’ve been feeling a bit high and low today, bursts of energy (walking to the co-op with man-go-round, dancing in the kitchen, cleaning the kitchen sink, finishing up some school reading) followed by aches, pains, and whininess (lets not go into that).

So, I thought I’d focus on a few of my favorite things, just like Maria Von Trapp taught us all. Here they are:

Amy’s Tamale Pies (stay tuned for a DIY recipe soon), walks in the sunshine, my coconut organix shampoo and conditioner, the salsa-riffic sounds of Tito Puente and his orchestra, bright yellow sunflowers by the side of the road, a really good book, slacking off and relaxing after working hard all afternoon, Pinterest, a Heineken from the fridge, and a killer back massage.

What are a few of your favorite things?

Meri

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Remember This? episode 13

Hello world. 

This week “Remember This?” is coming to you a bit late due to holiday, “back to school” mentality, and my overall laziness. I’ve been holed up with homeopathy and philosophy and psychology books so long that I am ready for a break; a trip down memory lane.

Thus, tonight’s episode of “Remember This?” And since my baby is now a teenager, I’m going to focus tonight’s items on things that were more relevant to my teen/tween years. Oh the humanity…

Remember This? episode 13

1. AOL instant messenger. Oh the hours spent with friends in front of my little icon, chatting with other friends I saw a mere hour or two ago at school. Talking about nothing. Let’s not forget the humor in our first screen name. Mine was “surferchic56.” We won’t discuss that I grew up in Minnesota, about as far from a surfer chick as was humanly possible. We won’t talk about my second screen name, the aptly pretentious “pablohoney” which I felt appropriately demonstrated my patronage of Radiohead. We will just look back and laugh. and speaking of the interwebs…

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2. Dial-up internet. I apologize if anyone still lives in the dark ages and has to listen to the high pitched sounds followed by dialing noise and 30 seconds of blackout before you know if you managed to make a crappy connection to the network or not. Oh, those were dark days indeed. Us poor kids could barely even conceive of the idea of wi-fi… simple times.

3. Nelly. We haven’t forgotten about him, have we? Nelly, of “Hot in Herrrre,” “Ride wit me,” “Country Grammar,” “Air Force Ones,” and “Batter Up!” fame. Oh, and I suppose it would be criminal to forget about “Pimp Juice,” that old classic. All jokes aside, though, I was crazy into Nelly as a teenager and thought he and his “Lunatics” were the shizz.

4. Titanic. First of all, I can’t believe this movie just had, like, its 15 year anniversary edition come out or something. How old am I, anyway? (the answer to that is 27 and a half, if you’re curious). I also can’t believe how ridiculously epic this movie was/is, and that my bestie and I wrote creepy stalker letters fan mail to Leo DiCaprio and thought he would drop Gisele or whoever he was dating at the time to come rescue our 13 year old selves from junior high. Right.

5. Trucker hats/ Von Dutch hats. Oh man. I remember one of my notable high school boyfriends lamenting that “his” trend of wearing these hats (it is true, he wore them long before Ashton Kutcher made them cool) was being degraded by the masses. To be fair, there are a lot of reasons to lament this moment in popular fashion. Especially the ones of the “Von Dutch” variety, as we so aptly renamed “Von…” well, use your imagination, but it rhymes with Koosh.

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There you have it! What were some of the hallmarks of your teen and tween years? Did you rock a Von Dutch hat and stay up all night on AIM?

Meri

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Long Weekend

It’s been a wonderful weekend- time with me and man-go-round’s family at the cabin, a trip to the Minnesota Renaissance Festival, and a walk down by the river. Oh, and I got started on some of my reading for school next week, so I’m feeling pretty satisfied. Rather than a recap, I’ll share some photos!

out by the lake
man-go-round’s mom brought her homegrown yellow watermelon. yum!
renaissance festival- elephant and camel rides
time for the joust!
mighty mississippi- take one
mighty mississippi- take two

I hope you all had a great long weekend! What did you do?

Meri

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