Preparing for the Mad Truffle Dash

Tonight is the night.

My dishes are clean, the kitchen is sparkling, little bottles of liquor are lined up on my spice shelf.

Baby, it's truffle making time.

I plan on going through 15 pounds of chocolate, if you're looking for an idea of how many truffles I'll be making - nevermind the other ingredients (which are a secret, so you don't get to know about them!!) - I'm about to make people seriously happy with some good Christmas presents!

Flavors will include:
Eggnog (with spiced rum)
Dark Chocolate with Grand Marnier
White chocolate with Chambord
Dark/White Chocolate with Peppermint Schnapps
White Chocolate and Amaretto
And numerous others.  Last year, my fave was a dark chocolate and Tia Maria mix, but I didn't buy any more TM, so it's unlikely that will happen with my budget in rapid shrink mode.

If these truffles sound awesome to you - you should buy some from the woman who taught me all I know (and who ships to wherever) - she has some new flavors, including a Chai Tea (which I sadly haven't had a chance to try yet!)  - check her out at www.dulcetruffles.com

The Greatest Christmas Movie EVER

Do I really need to do anything other than use that title to let your mind wander?  Obviously - I'm talking about National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation - one of those movies I've been watching since it came out, and will watch, with religious fervor, until I'm dead.  There's a possibility that I'll be buried with a portable dvd player with that movie playing.

I am not normally one to recommend you go buy things (unless you want to buy me things, and that's totally up to you), or enter contests or anything of that nature (I'd actually usually prefer people not enter the contests I enter because it messes up my odds - but 'tis the season!) - I just entered a contest to win a set of the glass moose mugs! 

I entered to win a set of National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation Moose Mugs from Dear Crissy!

Newest Netflix Streaming Christmas Movies

See the Complete List!

Updated List of Streaming Christmas Movies on Netflix

*Updated as of November 12, 2017 - if you're on Facebook, like the page, and you will see when there are updates.

This is what I call an act of love…

12 Dates of Christmas - Do you love Christmas and miss Saved by the Bell? Or maybe just one of those two? Come on, this is an ABC Family Christmas movie - if you like one, you like them all.  Watch it here before it airs this December!

12 Dog Days Till Christmas - I don't think I can really do a better job describing this movie than Netflix.  A foster child finds out the animal shelter is closing, and only has 12 days to find homes for all the dogs. 

Abominable Christmas - Two little Abominables trying to escape an evil scientist meet a young girl and spend Christmas with her family.

Abominable Noel - Nope, it's not about the worst Christmas ever - it's about Abominable Snowmen joining with humans for Christmas!

All American Christmas Carol - Reviews are NOT very positive - apparently this is a bit of a twisted take on the classic "A Christmas Carol" "Scrooge" story, with Taryn Manning (of OITNB fame these days) playing the Scrooge character, and being given the opportunity to turn her life around with the help of three ghosts (one of whom is played by Meatloaf).

All I Want for Christmas - Nope, it's not a typo, it's another Christmas movie!! What's the best reason to start dating again? Because your child wants a new father, that's why.  

America's Funniest Home Videos: Hollidazed - I think we should have some sort of a contest - how many dads do you think are going to get hit in the crotch with plastic baseball bats this Christmas? Closest guess gets to pick the next movie!

Angels in the Snow - a grumpy family on a Christmas vacation take in a stranded family.  There is apparently a big twist at the end, don't read the reviews if you don't want spoilers.

Back to Christmas - This has the undeniable look of a Hallmark or Lifetime style Christmas hit! The description claims a woman wakes up a year later to a Christmas do-over; personally, I think I would use my knowledge of the future to do some smart investing, but I suspect we're going into romance town. 

Bad Santa - Willie and Marcus are the absolute worst Santa and Elf, because of the fact that they are awful people, and are criminals.  This is a really dark movie, but it does have some serious sweetness at its core. This is NOT a movie for the whole family, unless your whole family is comprised of adults.

Bad Santa 2 - They're back! The worst possible Santa and Elf duo return, with the help of Kathy Bates as Willie's mom.  I haven't seen this, but the original was pretty spectacular.

Bob's Broken Sleigh - this is a newer movie (2015) - It appears that the premise is that a little elf (Bob) is trying to upgrade Santa's sleigh - something goes wrong - there is a crash (will Christmas be canceled!?!?) - and he needs help to get back up in the air. 

Bojack Horseman Christmas Special - This animated special isn't for the kids, it also probably isn't for you unless you're into the show.  

Casper's Haunted Christmas - poor Casper, that annoyingly friendly ghost has to scare someone before the big day.  I'm not even referred to as a friendly ghost, and I would feel bad messing with someone this time of year.

Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About Christmas, The - I haven't seen this - but the pictures showing up do look true to the original illustrations in the Cat in the Hat, and other Seussian hits.  It appears to be a cartoon - which is a big positive for me - as Mike Myer's terrifying turn as the Cat in the Hat ruined live action for me in the genre. 

Christmas Belle - I'm partial to Beauty and the Beast when it comes to fictional characters named Belle - but I'm willing to give this a try.  Will this beautiful Belle be able to thaw out the icy rich dude whose antique collection she's cataloguing?  

Christmas Bunny - This movie has been coming and going from Netflix over the years, and I still haven't watched it yet!  A young girl finds an injured rabbit on Christmas Eve, and brings it to "the Bunny Woman" for help.

Christmas Candle, The - Susan Boyle is in this historic holiday flick about a new minister coming to town and messing with some good old fashioned Christmas traditions.

Christmas Cracker - This is a documentary about people who are obsessed with Christmas.  I'm king of disappointed that they didn't try to interview me, but I'll get over it. 

Christmas Crush - One question: what kind of school does their reunion at Christmas time? Seriously, I've only seen this in movies, in the real world aren't they always in the summer? This is a cute little flick, I've seen it, and it's about a woman getting to reunite with her high school crush at her reunion (at Christmas).

Christmas Horror Story, A - Yes, it's gory and horror-y, but it's also Christmasey and it has William Shatner.  I watched this, it's entertaining, but forgettable.  However, if you're a horror movie gal like me, I say give it a try.

Christmas in the City - This stars not only Ashley Williams, who seems to star in 50% of my fave holiday flicks on the Hallmark Channel, but also singing star Ashanti!  Someone's boss fires a department store Santa who happens to be THE Santa.  What's he doing working at a department store? You'll have to watch to find out.

Christmas in the Smokies - Made for TV holiday magic, I tell you!  A woman trying to save her family's farm; an ex who is a famous musician? What more could you want? Oh yeah - it takes place at Christmas time!! 

Christmas is Here Again - This animated Christmas romp stars Jay Leno, Ed Asner, Kathy Bates and a bunch of other people.  I'm watching it just for the star power.

Christmas Kiss, A - Reviewers seem pretty split on this ABC-Family/Lifetime style Chick Flick.  A woman who has trouble with her boss, for some reason kisses a random gent on an elevator, only to discover that he is the boss's boyfriend.  

Christmas Kiss II, A - A sequel to A Christmas Kiss? You had me at, well, the fact that it's a sequel to that movie.  It looks to be a new host of characters, so give it a watch, and let me know what you think. 

Christmas Miracle at Sage Creek - According to reviewers this is an "old west" style Christmas movie, reviews are pretty mixed.

Christmas on Salvation Street - a widowed minister and his family move to the inner city, which will take some adjustment.

Christmas Prince, A - This one comes out November 17, 2017, so you'll have to wait a few days (unless that date has already gone past, then you're all set).  It's a made for Netflix special about a journalist and a Prince, and CHRISTMAS. 

Christmas Project, The - When I saw the first screen capture, I thought it was a movie from the 1980s, but it was made in 2016 - some reviewers say it channels "A Christmas Story," and apparently is about four boys who have to make gifts for their bullies?

Christmas Ranch - This one's got all the big hits - naughty teen has to spend the holidays with Grandma on a ranch of all places, connects with a horse, tries to save the aforementioned ranch, learns an important lesson, and has a super merry Christmas.  I'm guessing - but I'm pretty sure I'm right.

Christmas on Salvation Street - This new addition has no reviews so far - so my only information is from the synopsis - a Widowed Preacher moves his family to the inner city. 


Christmas Star, A - It turns out that if you're born under the Christmas Star, you have magical powers.  In reading the description, I wasn't really convinced I wanted to watch it.  Then I checked out reviews, and noticed Kylie Minogue and Pierce Brosnan in it - needless to say, I've added this to my wish list. 

Christmas Town - I've never seen this relatively new made-for-tv looking gem.  A single mother visits her father, whose town is "Totally Consumed with Christmas" - my kind of place!

Christmas Wedding Baby -  I haven't seen this, and nothing in the description has anything to do with Christmas - so maybe that's someone's name? I really don't know.

Curious George, a Very Monkey Christmas - I do love those cute little Curious George cartoons, along with the Man in the Yellow Hat, it appears the two of them are having a hard time deciding what to give each other for the holiday!

Dear Santa - I'm a sucker for Amy Acker, and this is a really cute made for TV Christmas movie about a woman who finds a little girl's letter to Santa, and ends up getting involved.

Dogwalker's Christmas Tale, A - A privileged young lady has to decide between a handsome guy and adorable dogs and her super rich boss.  What do you think she'll decide?

Dreamworks Happy Holidays from Madagascar - You get a hit of Valentine's Day and then two Christmas specials! 

Dreamworks Holiday Classics - while the word "classic" might be pushing it - only time will tell!  Four holiday tales involving your favorite (?) Dreamworks' stars - the digital casts of Madagascar, Shrek, and How to Train Your Dragon.

Dreamworks Shrek's Swamp Stories - time to join everyone's favorite ogre in some fun holiday theme adventures.  Not only does this have Christmas - but Halloween as well!

Evergreen Christmas - I know that if I had a choice between being a musician and running a Christmas Tree Farm, it'd be a no-brainer - obviously Christmas Tree Farm - the heroine of this story has some indecision though.

Fireplace for Your Home: Classic - this has festive holiday music along with beautiful snowy scenes - wonderful for those of us anxious for winter in the middle of July!

Get Santa - Santa gets arrested? What kind of world are we living in??  Thankfully, a father-son team is going to get him out of there!

Good Luck Charlie: It's Christmas - This looks like a 2011 Version of a Full House Christmas (not the plot, but the family friendly TV show made movie length silliness), the ratings are actually quite good - I've never seen the show, but I just might have to watch the movie!

Gremlins - no, this is not a feel-good holiday hug fest.  But it's an awesome little time machine back to when I was a little girl.  If you haven't seen it, you must.  If you haven't seen it in twenty years, why the heck not watch it again?

Happy Christmas - Here is a Christmas movie starring Lena Dunham, Anna Kendrick, and Melanie Lynskey - three of my fave lady actors. Reviews are mixed, but one introduced me to the term "mumblecore." I'll be watching, for the actors alone. My moms watched this one recently and said it is "AWFUL." 

Heart of Christmas, The - This looks like a sweet but sad movie - a family with a child with terminal cancer wants to give him one last Christmas in October. Reviews are mostly good. 

Hector - Reviews are pretty much unanimously positive about this unconventional British film about a homeless man reconnecting with his family around the holidays. 

Holiday Baggage - Time to see if getting the whole family together for the holidays will rekindle relationships.

Holidays - another collection of holiday themed horror shorts.  There is just one Christmas story on here, but, in general, if you like horror movies, you should give this a try.

How the Grinch Stole Christmas -  This is not the animated classic, it's the 2000 version with a terrifyingly green Jim Carey, and it does attempt to address the anti-consumerism themes of the original.  Also, there is incredibly catchy music and some fantastic hair styles.

How Sarah Got Her Wings - It's Christmas and what's an angel-in-training to do? Earn those wings!

I Am Santa Claus - This is a documentary following professional Santas.  I watched a similar movie a couple of years ago, and it was wonderful - this certainly looks worth a look!

In the Land of Magic - You have a wicked goblin, Santa, and a mule named Napo - this is an animated flick for the youngest members of the family.

Koala Brothers Outback Christmas, The - I'm not familiar with the Koala Brothers - but it appears it's a British show for the littles.  It is some sort of adorable claymation and I recommend it on that alone!  Seriously - who doesn't want to watch two koalas flying an airplane and tracking down their penguin friend in Antarctica? 

Kung Fu Panda: Holiday - Here is one of those newer "holiday" movies; it's winter, it's a special, meaningful holiday, etc. etc. etc. In this new arrival, Po has to deal with some wackiness, and then learn the meaning of Chris- Oops - I mean - the meaning of "Winter Feast."

Legend of Frosty the Snowman, The - Word to the Wise: this is not the original Frosty movie - this is circa 2005, and reviewers say it is a pale comparison.

Magic Snowflake - the Sequel to Santa's Apprentice.  So - watch that one, and then decide if you're up for a second dose.

Mandie and the Forgotten Christmas - Well, I can't say I recommend this one - most commonly seen in the reviews are mentions of the racism and sexism.  I would certainly leave this off my list this year.

Mariah Carey's Merriest Christmas - Say what you will about MC, she sure can belt out a Christmas tune.  This is a variety show with a bunch of other celebrities, singing, and a reading of "Twas the Night Before Christmas."

Marry Me for Christmas - A lot of movies remind me that we need to get rid of the idea that people MUST get married for happiness.  This movie, like that one with Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds, follows the theme of  fake fiance.  I have a hunch that they will fall in love in the end like (spoiler alert!) Holiday in Handcuffs.  But there's always the chance this one will make the point that you should be happy with yourself, and don't require another person for your own satisfaction.

Mickey's Magical Christmas: Snowed in at the House of Mickey Mouse - This is a Christmas special with a number of Disney Christmas shorts (I haven't seen this one - but I highly recommend Mickey's Once Upon a Christmas, so I think this is probably worth checking out).

Mickey's Once Upon a Christmas - Three cute Disney cartoons: Mickey & Minnie play out one of my favorite O. Henry stories: Gift of the Magi; Donald's three wacky nephews play out a Christmas version of the movie Groundhog Day; and Goofy and his son Max figure out that Santa is real.  *Most disturbing part: when all of the ducks at the table get excited about eating a beautifully roast turkey.

Mickey's Twice Upon a Christmas - I am imagining this to be the sequel to Mickey's Once Upon a Christmas.  According to Netflix's description it's a holiday battle between Mickey and Minnie and that mean ol' Scrooge McDuck.

Miracle on 34th Street - This is the absolutely wonderful 1994 version of this holiday classic.  I love the original, and I really feel this remake stayed so true to the message.  It's wonderful, and you should show it to your children to make sure it's a part of their childhoods.

Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug and Cat Noir:  This is the Christmas special for an animated show about a girl who transforms herself into a superhero (Ladybug).

Mule-Tide Christmas - This looks like a digital flick for the youngest of the youngsters.  You've got wicked goblins, a certain jolly old elf who wears a red suit, and his trusty mule.  Sounds good (for the 5-7 crowd) to me!

My Dad is Scrooge - Reviews say this is a good one for the littles, that the talking barn animals are adorable, provided your age is still in the single digits.

My Little Pony: A Very Minty Christmas - These are the middle age ponies (from 2005 - they're updated from the mid-1980s ponies I knew, and prior to the new ponies that have inspired the Bronies movement).  I think there could be some very valuable nostalgia.

My Santa - This looks pretty cute - a woman falls for a mall Santa - the usual story, but this has a twist - he's actually the REAL Santa's son!

Nightmare Before Christmas, The - This is a classic - while it is (according to Burton) actually a Halloween movie, it's definitely a Christmas classic in my house.  The music, the visuals, and the story are all wonderful for all ages.

Noel - This one is filled with some powerhouse actors - Robin Williams, Penelope Cruz, Susan Sarandon, Paul Walker. I've not seen this in quite a few years, but remember it being a sweet holiday drama.

Pee-wee's Playhouse: Christmas Special - If you're ready for a trip down mid-1980s memory lane - this is the special for you!  If Pee-wee himself isn't enough to pull you in - you've got Zsa Zsa Gabor, Frankie Avalon, Oprah, and even KD Lang to join in the fun!

Perfect Gift, The - Ruben Studdard (of American Idol fame) stars (and most likely sings) in this lesson on what Christmas is really all about.

Pete's Christmas - Groundhog Day meets Christmas Day.  I know Elmo already tried this whole "Christmas is Every Day" thing - it sounds like Pete's having just as hard a time.

Power Rangers Samurai: Christmas Together, Friends Forever - I admit that the Power Rangers have never really grown on me.  I will also admit that I sat through countless hours of them when I was a babysitter to a family with four young sons.  I might even sit through them for 23 more minutes to see this special!

Power Rangers Super Samurai: Stuck on Christmas - here we go - some more Power Rangers (for those of you who are into that sort of thing). 

Radio City Christmas Spectacular, The – If you’ve not had the opportunity to see these incredible women perform in person – I think you should jump at any chance you’re afforded (we saw them for the first time last winter in Boston – they are AMAZING). Luckily for everyone, those who have, and haven’t seen the Rockettes perform – you can watch the show on your TV or computer – seriously – this is awesome stuff!!

Ref, The - Rich people taken hostage on Christmas Eve? It stars Denis Leary? I'm in! Reviews call this a well written dark comedy.

Russell Peters Christmas, A - This 2011 movie was filmed in the style of a 1970s variety show.  Guests range from Michael Buble to Pamela Anderson. I've not seen it, so I'm hoping someone will be able to give me a good review.

Santa Buddies - those rascally golden retriever pups are at it again - Christmas style!

Santa's Apprentice - What DOES happen when a young orphan is picked to be Santa's successor? He becomes an apprentice of course!

Search for Santa Paws, The - If you liked Santa Buddies, you definitely want to watch this prequel!  If your children like Santa Buddies, and you need an hour and a half to enjoy a couple of glasses of wine, then they definitely need to watch this!

Small Town Santa - If you live in a small town, and arrest an intruder claiming to be Santa, be warned: you are about to get a full-size-sample of the Christmas Spirit!

So This is Christmas - Check it out - Vivica A Fox is in this movie about a group of underprivileged kids and their holiday pageant.  A note to parents: though this is categorized as family friendly, the reviews say otherwise, that there's heavy drug use and violence in it.

Spirit of Christmas, The - I've actually seen this one - I can't remember if it was on Lifetime or the Hallmark Channel.  This hardened woman goes to stay at an Inn to sell it, but ends up meeting (and maybe falling in love!?) with a handsome ghost from the past (an actual ghost, like "boo" not just a ghost from her past).

Thomas and Friends: Santa's Little Engine - Guess who's guiding Santa's sleigh!! Nope - it's not Rudolph - it's THOMAS!!!

Three Dogateers, The - Three dogs, with the help of Santa go after the thieves who broke into their owner's house at Christmas time.

Trailer Park Boys: Live at the North Pole - I think the title really says it all.

Trailer Park Boys: Xmas Special - I'm not a Trailer Park Boys fan, so I'm going to leave this to you to discover on your own.

Tree Man - a documentary about the people who cultivate the most cherished of holiday memories - Christmas Trees!

Uncle Nick - Reviews are pretty much split - people either love or hate this dark comedy - it's apparently very dirty and twisted, which means I'll probably like it. This is the story of one awful brother making his slightly less terrible sibling's holiday party a failure.

Very Minty Christmas, A - My little ponies (I think these are the original ponies - or O.P. as the kids should say) celebrate Christmas.

Very Murray Christmas, A - If you love Bill Murray, and appreciate what an oddball he is - I think you'd better put this on the agenda for running in the background at this year's cookie baking party (which is exactly what I did last year, and probably will do again in 2016).

White Christmas - Quite possibly the greatest movie ever made.  Fact: my sister and I can perform the "Sisters" routine in its entirety, and sing the song together on a regular basis. If you've never seen it - watch it! If you've already seen it, why aren't you watching it again???

Thanksgiving Recovery

I've been sitting in this recliner for an indecent number of hours - occasionally getting up to serve myself some more pumpkin pie, or to make what I refer to as "turkey slop," (turkey slop recipe: Combine a handful of turkey, a couple of scoops each of gravy, stuffing, and mashed potatoes - heat on medium-high until it steams and is awesomely mushy and delicious) - I even had a bagel sometime in there.  It's been AWESOME.

Thanksgiving is great because it's all about the food.  Normally I'm as excited about Black Friday as I am about Thanksgiving, but as I have explained previously, I'm not doing big shopping this year.  But I have done some serious imaginary shopping in the past 24 hours!! 

Diane, a friend of Mom & Jeanne's, came to Thanksgiving dinner and brought her paper, chock full o' store flyers.  Were you aware that Walmart had Kitchenaid stand mixers for $150!?!?  Granted, I already have one, and I got it on super sale at Kohl's a couple of years ago for $99, but I tell you - if I were upper middle class instead of on the lower end of it, I'd be on top of that.  Why would I need two mixers you ask? Because they're fabulous and it's such a deal. 

Imagine how much of a hoarder I'd be if I were rich!!!

I had a few more near-seizures looking through the flyers.  But, somehow managed to stay in my pajamas all day watching Christmas movies.  A good time was had by all - well, specifically a good time was had by me.

Today we watched Surviving Christmas, I think Mom and I are the only people in the country (maybe aside from Ben Affleck's mom) who love that movie.  The fact is that a movie has to be REALLY bad before I'll say I don't like it.  I don't know that I've ever met a movie that sucked so badly I was unwilling to power through it (do you hear that makers of 'Vanity Fair'??? I watched your whole godforsaken film - what felt like about seventeen hours I'll never get back).  We also watched a two-episode Christmas Little House on the Prairie dvd, and 'Holiday in Handcuffs' - a delightful ABC Family made-for-TV lovely flick.

My fingers are crossed that we'll be able to find Mom's copy of 'Scrooged' tomorrow when we dig out the ornaments.  I don't know if Azi has ever seen it, and I know I haven't in a couple of years.  Probably someone should buy it for me as well.

Tomorrow we're off to the woods to chop down ye olde Christmas Tree.  Last year we tromped around Dad's property in Howland to find our tree - this year it'll be on the banks of Cain's Pond.  Cross your fingers that we find the PERFECT tree (at least let it be more like Charlie Brown's tree AFTER the application of the magic ornaments than before when it only had a few branches) - last year we had to triple up ornaments on some branches. 

Have Yourself a Winning Little Christmas

While I am definitely one of the biggest Christmas supporters ever - I have to admit, there's an extremely ooey gooey soft spot in my heart for Thanksgiving.  I love that it's not about presents - but just about spending time with your family, eating an unreasonable amount of food, and then undoing your pants and lounging around focusing on the television and digestion. How glorious is that?

In case you haven't noticed, I'm a bit of a stuff-addict - which means, to me, that the day after Thanksgiving is usually sitting up on the mantel in my mind as something great and holy.  However, this year is a little different - instead of modeling myself after the crazy lady in the Target commercials (who is completely awesome, and is my spiritual doppelganger for sure) - I'm doing what I've been referring to as a "Free Christmas."  No - I'm not trying to emancipate Christmas from the chains of commercialism and greed - I'm a HUGE fan of commercialism - not so much of greed, but the fact is that I want stuff.

This year I've decided to win Christmas.  I've actually done pretty well so far - I can't say specifically what I've won, because then the recipient might read it here!! I've been spending hours each night entering scores of online sweepstakes.  I wish I'd come up with the idea more than a month ago, as I'm actually waiting for a gift card that could have been used out competitively shopping on Friday morning, but that's okay - next year I'll be all ready for it.  Unless, that is, I've won some "major prize" (PLEASE let it be the leg lamp!!!!) that will allow me to be rich and super spendy, I will be out there early on waiting to race for the thirty cent laptops and such.

What do you want for Christmas? Maybe I can win it for you!!!!

Why doesn't everyone want to buy me stuff?

I like stuff as much as the next girl.

Okay - honesty time - I like stuff waaaaaay more than the next girl.  Some might say I have a hoarders-like love of stuff.

That being said, one of my favorite pastimes is creating Amazon wish lists.  I think I might actually like the act of wishing for stuff more than actually having it.   Once I have it - all the anticipation is gone - I suppose one could say that, for me, the anticipation of stuff has heroin-like qualities.

What does this all mean?  Basically that the period of time between October 31st and December 24th is, to me, like a bipolar's high. 

Desired item of the day?  This is easy - and ohhhh how I want it! I yearn for it!!!!



Probably someone should buy this for me.

If no one is available to buy this for me - someone should lie and say they know someone planning to buy it for me.

It's just a suggestion.

List of Streaming Christmas Movies on Netflix

Welcome to Autumn!

I know, technically speaking it's been Autumn for a few days, but this weekend it really hit me when I was driving to and from Searsport - the leaves are a-changing, man!  We've got bright pinks and oranges; red and yellow, it's beautiful stuff.  Most of the trees are still primarily green, but the fact is that winter is coming.

Do you know what it means when Winter is coming??? It means that CHRISTMAS is coming!  Faith and I spent a hunk of the day on Friday sending video clips back and forth of ourselves singing the song "Snow" from "White Christmas" (also known as the best holiday movie EVER!!!!).  Granted, a movie doesn't have to be very good for me to consider is a phenomenal work of holiday magic - I'm just easy like that.

Because it's Autumn, Azi and I went apple picking a few weeks ago, and I've been baking up a damn storm.  I love to bake, and while washing the dishes afterwards is a bummer, I'm surviving.  The problem I'm having with my awesome baking is the fact that all of these delicious foods have permanently affixed themselves to my belly and thighs.  How can something with apples as its main ingredient be so unhealthy?  Ohhhhh - because the second ingredient is butter.  I see.

I've also been baking muffins and bread, and making delicious chicken-based recipes for dinner.  Who knows what tonight's concoction will be, but I can assure you, it'll be delicious.  Last night was loaded baked potato chowder (a Pampered Chef recipe - super delicious), we garnished it with sour cream and crispy bacon (possibly another culprit in the whole "I'm getting fat" debacle).

So, there it is - I'm thinking that Autumn might actually be translated to "gain fifteen pounds" or something like that.  It can't just be me, right?

Advertisement of the Day

Have I mentioned that I'm not a big TV watcher? That is, to say, I'm not a big watcher of television programs.  I love watching movies, or even watching TV shows through netflix streaming, or on DVD.  I just really don't enjoy commercial breaks or any of that.

Because of this, I never know what people are talking about when they have those water cooler conversations about current shows, or commercials.  BUT - I did watch TV on Sunday - and I saw the BEST new commercial!  The commercial is for Gain fabric softener.

There's this woman in line at the grocery store, and a voice over telling about how much she's always loved the smell of Gain detergent.  Then she spots Gain fabric softener on the counter; the woman in front of her is buying it.  You can see the look of panic on her face, then she ever so casually slides out the purchase separation bar to put the fabric softener with her groceries.  The commercial ends with the other customer and the sales clerk staring at her.

I think I like it so much because I chronically covet groceries.  That's right folks, not only am I judging who you are as a person based solely on what you buy, but I'm also quietly wishing that you'd leave a bag in the grocery cart so I can snag it in the parking lot.

Well played Gain.

See it for yourself: The Commercial

I'm not broken anymore!

I appear to have regained the ability to cry.  I was honestly a little worried about myself when I realized it had been years since the last time I had cried (this was probably about a year ago) - and I thought that maybe I was turning part-robot, or someone had snuck in and removed some part of one of my brain-lobes that controlls emotions or something like that.

Possibly, it was related to the fact that I feel horribly uncomfortable around crying people, and see it as a sign of their weakness or something like that.  I don't know.  I just started to suspect I might be broken, and began to pay more attention -

Let's see - a commercial about cotton? Nope - no tears.  A sad story in the newspaper about some terrible people & innocent babies/kittens/puppies/trees? Not a sniffle.  Thinking about super duper sad stuff that's happened in the past? A twinge in the tear-duct/heartstring region, but nothing in terms of waterworks.

So - finally - a whole bunch of stuff went down at work, and I cried.  It was one of those shocked & angry cries, where your face contorts because you're trying not to let it out, but having a difficult time of it.  And I cried, then I got angrier, and replaced the crying with ranting and raving.  A week later, lo and behold - it happened again.  Now I was starting to think - whoa! What's going on here??  Can I now cry if it's something work-related?  Am I going to have to find some sort of future-tears detection system to facilitate sneaky trips to the bathroom? Am I going to become one of THOSE women who CRIES at her desk (dear lord, please don't do that to me)?  Luckily, that was the end of the crying at work fiasco.  I'm planning on never letting it happen again.

The strange thing is that since then, I appear to have completely regained my ability to cry.  Since the work fiasco I have cried numerous times, including:

• during a movie
• during a book (and during an audiobook, I don't know if they should have their own bullets or not)
• during the Oscars
• When very, very, very sick and in a lot of pain

I'm hoping this doesn't mean I'm going to be a big old wuss from now on.  But the Oscars really did worry me.  But I'm sure I'm not the only one - I mean, Sandra Bullock was just plain incredible in that speech. 

Long story short - I'm fixed now - and while I still am uncomfortable around crying people (or sick people or depressed people or way more successful than me people and a few others) - and I still feel a bit superior to someone when I see them crying - at least I can be a big loser like them sometimes too.

2010 Academy Awards - part 4

Ooh - tribute to horror movies!!!  Steve & Alec sharing a room - paranormal activity style - is Steve Possessed?

Too bad Azi's asleep - Kristen Stewart & Taylor Lautner - wow, her dress is stunning - Horror movie montage time!!  I vote The Shining as the scariest movie ever.  I still cover my eyes when they show those awful little girls in that movie.  Beetle Juice? Does that really count as a horror movie?  Or Twilight? Horror movies? Eeeek - they showed those creepy girls!!!!  Okay - other than the two extra non-horror movies, that was good.

Now - Zac Efron, and Anna Kendrik - Sound, Editing and Mixing, oooh - and Morgan Freeman is doing some voice-work - he's got the best sound out there.  Someone forgot to nominate Precious for this - but they did nominate Avatar.  Ah - the Hurt Locker won - I will have to see that, won't I?
And, Sound Mixing - I think all the nominees are the same - oh, no Transformers is in there, I think it won a Razzie this year.  Oh - here comes the Hurt Locker again.  the guy just had to come out from behind the curtain from where he just walked - that's pretty darn cool!

Now, Elizabeth Banks - Sci/Tech awards - I like her dress too. 

Whoa - John Travolta was nominated for an award???  Introducing Inglorious Basterds for best picture - man, watching all these clips reminds me of what a good movie it was too.

We're two hours in people, and I do wonder how many more hours it'll be.

Sandra Bullock (who everybody knows I met in the bowling alley I worked at in N.C. - and she told me I had a beautiful baby) - She looks absolutely amazing in her dress & hair & the lipstick is fabu!!!  Aw, a little nod for Harry Potter (I think that's a first) - Avatar wins - for Cinematography - Man, I'm going to have to read back through all of these blog pieces to count these Avatar wins.

Now I know why they were playing Ghost music, here comes Demi Moore - oooh - great dress again - a little too tight at the top though, it looks like her breasts are trying to climb out and escape.  She's introducing the in memoriam to people who were lost this year.  And now I know what James Taylor's big surprise was.  Now I have goosebumps again.  Damn, he makes me want to cry for good reasons.  That was beautiful. 

Jennifer Lopez & Sam Worthington - Her dress is a monstrosity.  I don't have a compliment for her - because apparently the wind tunnel that SJP was in hit her hair too.  Maybe it's super humid there or something? I don't know waht to say.  The guy - no idea who he is - is looking good though.  Now we have dancers.  I really don't like the interpretive dancing they're doing of the Hurt Locker - I think it just might be one of those movies that just really doesn't lend itself to interpretive dance.  Just watching this is making me feel uncomfortable.  The Fantastic Mr. Fox is more suited for the dance medium (or at least the music is) - but I think this entire concept should get someone fired, while their  moves might be cool - I think that this is just plain ridiculous.  This dumb dancing is trivializing all of the movies.  I love the score from Up - it's auditory godiva chocolate - but the guy being a robot, and the sideways hats are really ruining it.  I hope they're done.  Ugh - nope - still got Avatar to go.  The dancing is much better, and actually seems suited to this one.  That's good.  Okay, not the break dancing - that just looks silly to me.  Everybody in the audience seems to have liked it (except James Cameron) so, maybe it's just me - who's got the best original score? (I hope it's Up, the music just speaks to my heartstrings) - And the winner is Up - yay!! So the right choice!!  (well, the movie was the right choice, the stupid dancing was not - I'd have prefered a montage of images from the film - but I think they decided against that because it's the same movies over and over and over, and they want people to still want to see this after the awards are over).

Gerard Butler & Bradley Cooper - visual effects - Avatar (surprise surprise), District 9, Star Trek, should there even be other nominees in the visual effects category - of COURSE it's Avatar - how could it not be??

Jason Bateman - introducing best picture nominee Up in the Air - these montages they're showing really aren't doing much justice to the films - the actor clips have been so much better. 

Matt Damon - looking dreamy as usual - even though I am really not a fan of the bowtie.  Introducing best documentary feature - Burma VJ - the Cove (which I want to see but I think would be painful to watch - I  - don't think I could watch it) - Food Inc (is that david duchovny?) - The most dangerous man in america - Which Way Home (that clip gave me goosebumps) - Ah, the Cove wins - the only one I'd heard of - Maybe I will have to see it - one of the guys has a tube, like a poster tube or something like that?  And it says Text Dolphin to some number, but they moved away from it really fast - I think that you're not allowed to encourage money donations on the show or something.

Here's Tyler Perry - Film Editing - was Avatar nominated for every award???  The Hurt Locker wins (I'm hoping District 9 wins SOMETHING by the end of the night!) -  Aw, it was a married couple, and they were nice and earnest, I liked it.

Keanu Reeves - good timing - Hurt Locker nominated for best movie - okay, I take back my criticism of the clips of movies - because now I really want to go see the Hurt Locker - that was quite good. 

Quentin Tarantino & Pedro something - Best foreign language film - this is the category that got me to see Persepolis which was an amazing movie - the winner is The Secret in their Eyes (I think that's what he said)- Argentina - I was just checking wikipedia, and apparently each country can only submit one film, isn't that strange?

Kathy Bates - introducing best picture nominee - Avatar - which sure has been grabbing a lot of awards here - and I'll tell you, was a really good movie.  But when I don't know that it was best of the year material.  But you just never know what will win.  It was by far the most visually stunning movie of the year - that is a fact o' the matter.

Actor in a Leading Role - lots of people announcing - man, I want to look like Julianne Moore when I grow up - she is breathtaking.  Jeff Bridges - nominee number one - I love his eye crinkles.  Now George Clooney (in all his swoon-inducing glory) - Colin Firth (and I hear his performance in a Single Man was phenomenal) - Morgan Freeman (his voice should automatically win him anything he wants) - Jeremy Renner (who I'd never heard of before the Hurt Locker).  And here's kate Winslet with the envelope - and, as always, is she's stunning - and the winner is... Jeff Bridges (his first win ever!)  Aw, what a great speech - he's been married for 33 years - can you believe it?  And he thanked his three daughters by name, which makes me very glad that he won.

Only three awards to go and I can go to bed!  I think that I might not do my commentary next year, this might just be a once-in-a-lifetime experience for me.

Best Actress time - oooooh!!!  I'm guessing Sandra Bullock - or Gabourey Sidibe (introduced by Oprah, can you even imagine?!?! I would be crying too) - but I could be wrong - Helen Mirren is pretty amazing too - and Meryl Streep has apparently been nominated at every Academy Awards since she was born.  Does Helen Mirren really have a spider web tattoo on her hand?  Carey Mulligan (who I'd never heard of before tonight either) - Who's it going to be? Now I'm hoping for Meryl Streep... Sean Penn is giving the award, and I don't get his references, maybe I missed last year's show...and the winner is... Sandra Bullock!  Yup, still looking stunning - aw, this is her first nomination & award!   Damn, and her speech brought tears to my eyes.  Oy.

Barbra Streisand now - best Director - Avatar - The Hurt Locker - Inglorious Basterds - Precious - Up in the Air - WOW - first woman to win - for the Hurt Locker - kathryn Bigelow - and, she's James Cameron's ex-wife (which has got to be really weird, right?)

Now - Tom Hanks (he's apparently the academy award governor!) - Best Picture time!!!  Last time there were 10 films nominated was 1943, and the winner is: The Hurt Locker!!!! 

So, there we go, The Hurt Locker takes home 6 out of the 9 awards it was nominated for.  Now it's definitely going on my Netflix queue.

2010 Academy Awards - part 3

Nice pair - Rachel McAdams (great dress) & Jake Gyllenhaal (nice everything) - best adapted screenplay - Up in the Air - Precious - In the Loop (never heard of it - maybe I should watch it) - An Education? - District 9 (my choice) - And the winner is.... Precious - I'm not surprised - it seems to be a pretty heavy contendor - I think I'm going to have to watch it, and probably cry some.  His thank you is I think another of his screenplays, he seems quite practiced, very sweet and loving, but I'm too cynical to love that.

I see why it was so good, steve martin wrote it.

Queen Latifah - love love love her dress - best dressed presenter so far (to me) - showing highlights of the Governors Awards.  Oooh - I love Lauren Bacall.  She is class personified, and, I think one of the most beautiful women ever to have lived.  I hope I can pull off longish hair like that when I'm her age.

Robin Williams now... with lampshades.  Har har - ball holding joke.  Supporting Actress award now.  Oooh, Penelope Cruz is sex personified.  Vera Famiga (sp?) - next, ooh - I need to see this movie to memorize her lines.  - Maggie Gyllenhaal - I love her in everything - so I hope she wins.  She should win every award, she's just fabulous - Anna Kendrik - from the same movie as Vera Famiga - she didn't get sexy lines though - maybe that makes her deserve the award - Mo'Nique from Precious - I hear she was absolutely amazing in it. Aw, and she won - I love Maggie G - but just watching the little clip from Precious gave me goosebumps, and it's the only clip that did.  Hmm - I like her dress - but now the big flower in her hair.  Damn - she even sounds powerful saying her thank you - shoot, even her thank you gave me goosebumps.

Mmmm - I love Colin Firth.  At least 50% fancy accent - I'm not sure what the rest of it is - introducing "An Education" for best movie nominee.  Aw, Peter Sarsgaard is in it - isn't it weird that he's with maggie gyllenhaal, and they both have what appear to be superfluous "A"s in their names.  Weird, right? Do you think that's part of what brought them together?

Man, Sigourney Weaver's looking pretty smoking hot this evening.  Art Direction is her game -  Avatar - of course - The imaginarium of doctor parnassus - Nine - sherlock holmes - the young victoria - Out of them all I've seen - surprise surprise - avatar and sherlock holmes.  And, of course, Avatar won - how could it not - in terms of being beautiful - that movie hit the nail on the head!

Best costume design - debate on whores & horses  - Tom Ford and Sarah Jessica Parker - ooh - her dress is beautiful - but it looks like her fancy hairdo got stuck in a wind tunnel or something.  Nominees - Bright Star - Coco before Chanel - the imaginarium of doctor parnassus - Nine - The Young Victoria - ooh - some pretty stuff in there!!  The Young Victoria won - wow - the costume designer's dress itself is pretty breathtaking, I want it!  Aw, she's cute and charming too, but the dress takes teh cake - she's my best dressed so far tonight.

Now, Cherleze Theron - best picture nominee - Precious - maybe the clip will give me goosebumps too - I'm not sure if I want to see an "unflinching look at a teenage girl's world of violence" - nope, the clip didn't give me goosebumps, probably because they didn't show much of mo'nique in it.

Drink break time.  I really should have dug out the corkscrew and popped open a bottle of wine - but water's cool too.

2010 Academy Awards - part 2

I wonder if Toyota will demand their advertising money back after the joke that was made about their cars as weapons earlier in the show?

Robert Downey Jr & Tina Fey - her dress keeps making me think of the Flintstones - like a really glamorous cavewoman dress.  His glasses & bowtie make me giggle.  not best dressed if you ask me.  They've got some good chemistry together - made me (and the whole crowd) laugh.  Best original screenplay - nominees - the Hurt Locker - looks pretty disturbing to me - Inglorious Basterds - good movie - great writing, if you ask me - The Messenger (I'd never heard of it - but I freaking love Woody from Cheers) - A Serious Man - but I heard that a Coen brothers movie won't win anytime soon after the debacle that was that movie about the murderous guy with the bowl cut - Up - which I loved - 'nuff said - and the winner is.......The Hurt Locker - maybe I should see it - but boy have I heard some creepy stuff about it.
I'd hate to have to be a loser and have to keep my face put together after I didn't win.

Molly Ringwald & Matthew Broderick - wow - she's gone REALLY red again - she varies.  I don't love her matching bracelet & waist-band - but the color of her dress is fantastico.  Talking about John Waters (have you heard that some hidden script of his was found after his death is going to be made into a movie - should be interesting).Weird Matthew Broderick's voice hasn't changed one bit in all these years.  "Those aren't pillows!!""Yeah, you'll be happy, you just won't know it, that's all" - nice little montage there. Now a whole bunch of the folks who starred in his movies.  They all got so OLD!!!  Am I the only one who keeps wanting to clap?

Samuel L. Jackson - introducing best movie nominee "Up" - which, you already know, I Love! I don't think I "best movie of the year" love it - but it was beautiful. Aw, shoot, now that they're showing bits of it with the music, I feel a little sniffly. 

No idea how to spell either of these names - Karey Mulligan& Zoe Saldana  - ha - found it. Love the purple poofy dress, don't love the slit up the front - but it's soo pretty.  They're introducing best animated short - French Roast - Granny O'Grimms Sleeping Beauty - cute looking - The Lady and the Reaper - Logorama - and something Wallace & Grommit-ish.  Logorama won - but from that little clip they showed, I didn't love it. Maybe it's actually really fabulous when you watch it in person.
Now - nominees for best Documentary Short - wow - I don't know about you - but I've never seen any of these, has anyone? They're not even showing clips at this point - the winner is "Music by Prudence" - aw, but the guy who made it is wicked endearing -and then this scary redheaded woman just jumped out and stole the microphone from him. Huh.  She's not endearing. Now they started the music and he doesn't get to finish talking, they're the first people to be played off the stage. 
Now - best Live Action Short - ooh - cool looking stuff!  "The New Tenants" wins - looks like some guy goes to an apartment and gets hit in the head with a shovel or something. I might need to watch it.  Hopefully these guys are going to take turns talking or fight over the microphone. Guy number two is trying to rush along guy number one - hopefully guy number two will get to talk.  Nope - they completely cut off guy number two.  Bummer.

Now - Ben Stiller - who I hear is making a sequal to Zoolander! I think he must be introducing Avatar as best picture nominee - wow - no, actually the award for best makeup!  And Avatar wasn't not nominatred.  Hee Hee hee... Aw, he plays awkward so well.  Nominees - Il Divo, Star Trek,  The Young Victoria - huh, that's it???  Only three?  Winner is... Star Trek (anybody surprised by that one?) - I'd at least heard of the Young Victoria, but I thought Il Divo was just an annoying opera group.  It looked like Kate Winslet was crying in the audience.  Huh.  Maybe it's allergies.

Jeff Bridges introducing - best movie nominee - A Serious Man - (the Coen brothers one that I've heard just won't win because of them).  I've heard it's pretty freaking amazing though.  Although the clips they just showed make me think that it might be a bit too serious of a movie for me.  I really like it a bit more light-hearted.

2010 Academy Awards - part 1

NPH - song - AMAZING

Alec Baldwin & Steve Martin - AMAZING

Penelope Cruz - wow - beautiful dress. Announcing best supporting Actor - Christoph Waltz from Inglorious Basterds is the winner. I saw it - you did too, right? Such a good movie.  He was good. Well, I mean, technically speaking - he was Bee - Ay - Dee - so bad, but in a well-acted sort o' way.

Ryan Reynolds - announcing the Blind Side as a best picture nominee.  I love him.  Oh he is so very handsome and funny and even Canadian!  I hear the Blind Side is quite good too.  I think it's a little too good for illegally download - it might have hit Dollar night at the Theatre status.

Cameron Diaz & Steve Carell (sp?) - animated film - I've never even heard of the Secret of Kells - but it's Irish - and I've got a thing for the accent.  Aw, Up won - I'm not surprised, I'd have been surprised if it hadn't - I was pretty surprised by how much I really LIKED that movie - so fricking fracking sweet.

Now Amanda Seyfried & Miley Cyrus - apparently they had a contest over who got to wear the bigger dress - Amanda won - although I'm not sure whose is sparklier.  I think I like Miley's best, with the exception of the waist band - it's a bit too tight.  Boy oh boy are they nervous - a bit word flubby, it might be less nerves and more overtightened dress waist band.  I don't know.  They're introducing the original songs. Ooh - I think I need to watch Nine.  Aw Crazy Heart won - wow - an old white guy named T Bone - that's kind of weird. Have you seen that? In the clip they showed, the guy singing looked just like Colin Farrell - looks like he must have had his brows waxed for the oscars.

Oooh - whatever that guy from Star Trek's name is introducing Best Movie nominee - District Nine - that movie was SOOOOOO good.  I loved it.  Although it was a little bit too un-subtley messagey, you know? A little bit too transparent with the whole lesson about society thing.  But the movie itself was fantastic - let's say you're a person who doesn't pay attention to moral lessons in films - then it would be just straight up awesome to you.

Promises Promises Promises

I really did intend to blog regularly - honestly I did!  Time just got away from me (again and again and again).

So, here I am, as I promised my irish twin I would be - some major changes, and here they are in no particular order:

1. I bought a Wii!!! If you've read any of my (somewhat) recent blogs, you'll see that I was desperately yearning for one, so I caved in, and spent money I shouldn't have, and I couldn't be happier!
2. Not only did I get a Wii, but I got Wii Fit with the balance board - I scored it used, so it was way less expensive than buying it retail, which I couldn't have done anyway because the damn thing is sold out everywhere.
3. I had my surgery! I suppose if this list were in the order of importance, this would probably be item #1 - The surgery itself went well (I was unconscious the whole time) - did you know that they intubate you for stuff like breast reduction? Well, I sure didn't! I wondered for a couple of days why my throat was so sore, and when I finally pondered it out loud, mom looked at me like a crazy person and explained it.  How should I know? I'm a relatively healthy girl, and my only previous surgery was having my wisdom teeth out, and I'm quite positive they didn't intubate me for that one (I also was allowed to wear more than my underwear).
4. After I had my surgery, I was getting better, though not as fast as I expected, and a week after - I finally went back to my house (I'd been staying with Mom & Jeanne & Catty & the many cats) - and that night I ended up getting super sick.  Honestly one of the scariest things that's ever happened.  Raging fever, awful pain - I didn't want to bother my sisters in the middle of the night (it started around midnight) - and so I thought maybe I'd call 911, but then I thought my house was way too messy to let paramedics in, so I just laid there, occasionally crying, and having weird hallucinations.  The next day, I did call Conni & she took me to her house & I talked to the surgeon & at first they said I'd have to be admitted to the hospital, but then decided to just try giving me antibiotics.
5. I recovered from my awful bout of sickness.  And then, instead of returning to work after being out for a week, I had another two weeks off - unfortunately, they were unpaid weeks off - which super sucks - but there's not really anything I could do about it. 
6. So, I'm back at work now - it's wearing me down a LOT, but I'm surviving.  My ginormous scars are healing, and I go for a second post-operative appointment with my surgeon in about a week and a half. 
7. The real downer about the surgery is that I haven't been able to do my Wii Fit! I know, totally unfair, right? I have to wait six weeks to do any aerobic activity.  But, in the meantime, I bought a game called Walk It Out - which is ridiculously fun - and every time I do it I walk longer - last night it was 75 minutes - there's just so much to do!!  So, at least I'm getting exercise, although I'm pretty psyched for two weeks from tomorrow when I can start Wii Fitting it up!

Yup, so I'm making up for lost time here, and plan on writing more again in the near future.  I'm a fascinating person, so I'm pretty sure there are some people out there who died because they were holding their breath until my next post.  And to their friends and families - I say "Sorry".