10 Mostly Realistic Resolutions for 2016

One of my favorite posts to write in the last couple of years was the one about my 10 Mostly Realistic Resolutions for 2014. But dang, that was like two years ago! Apparently I didn't have a burning desire to set any goals for 2015, or maybe I was just lazy. So difficult to say. I'm sure you're aghast either way. So I think I'll just remedy this by setting 10 Mostly Realistic Resolutions for 2016 right here, right now. Who's with me?!

While you're thinking up yours, I'll just get you started with mine. You know, since you're here and all.

Ready?

1. Stop binge-watching shows on Netflix and Hulu. 

You know what? That IS insane. Binge-watching shows on Netflix and Hulu is one of my favorite things to do. And since I can watch my shows commercial-free, it's even better. OK, yeah, so let's just modify this resolution to say, "Stop binge-watching shows on Netflix and Hulu...as much." Might as well aim low, to avoid disappointment.

And speaking of binge-watching TV shows...am I the only one who feels a cruel sense of isolation and abandonment when I finish binge-watching an entire series? I mean, I manage to hit all five stages of grief after a good show ends. The struggle is real.

2. Refrain from using the word, 'Dude' so much. But, dude. That's hard. For real. Someone needs to invent a new word that is just as fun to type in social media posts. Perhaps that should be one of my resolutions as well?!

3. Find word to replace, "Dude."  

4. Drink less Starbucks Iced Espresso. I mean seriously, I'm a wee bit addicted to this stuff. I need to cut back a little. But really, there are worse things I could be addicted to, am I right? It's not like I drink 3 bottles of this a week or anything. Well, not every week. Mostly not. OK, OK, mostly I do! [Hangs head in shame.]

5. Do NOT give up on The Vampire Diaries. I will admit it: I'm still in the TVD fangdom. I can't help it really. I found that show on Netflix in 2010 or 2011 and I was hooked from the first episode. And even though Season 6 was less than stellar vampire TV drama, and even though I have *almost* given up on it a time or two, it still beckons me every week to come back for more. Even without Elena. But my love for this show has absolutely, positively nothing at all to do with Ian Somerhalder, aka Damon Salvatore. Nothing. 

At all.

6. Eat more breakfast for dinner. Because cooking is hard. And breakfast is just easier. And yummier. And because French Toast! I already got a jump on this resolution: we had French Toast for dinner tonight. How's that for being an overachiever?!

7. Do NOT learn to Whip and Nae Nae.  Let's face it: I'm getting old. And I'm not exactly dancer material. So it's highly unlikely you'll ever see me either Whip, or Nae Nae for that matter. But I do like the sound of it. It's catchy, no? And I like to watch other people do it too. So even though I'll not be whipping anything but cream, or nae-nae-ing anything--except to object to something--at any point in the coming year, if YOU are so inclined, by all means, Whip. And Nae Nae.

(Image: FallonTonight)

8.  Develop the healthy glow of someone who goes to the gym. But with one important caveat. 

9. Live every day like it's Taco Tuesday. I mean, who doesn't like Taco Tuesdays?

10. Keep on being weird. Because "normal" is overrated. And really, if you think about it, there is no "normal." We're all just different degrees of screwed up and weird. And that, my friends, is totally OK.

So I will not only keep on being weird, I will revel in my weirdness. Weirdness rules. Rock the weird in you too! Especially if they pump up your jam.

And with that you have my 10 Mostly Realistic Resolutions for 2016. Mostly do-able.
Fully and Tinaliciously me.

Have a safe and Happy New Year, peeps!

Dusty Cabinet Deep Thoughts Thursday

Time for another not quite exciting edition of Deep Thoughts Thursday.

So I was in the kitchen this morning, doing my usual morning kitchen-type stuff, when I went to grab a coffee mug and happened to look up. And what did I see, as I'm sure all inquiring minds are wanting to know? Well, friends, I saw a thin layer of dust on the top of my upper cabinet doors. Not a lot, mind you, but enough for me to notice it.

So then I immediately thought, "I should probably clean these cabinets."

 

Deep stuff, no?

Tasty Tuesday Creamy Chicken Soup

I found a great recipe recently from the Cookie Rookie blog for some Creamy Chicken Soup. I love creamy, thick soups and that recipe looked too good not to try. So I gave it a culinary whirl the other day and, as I imagined, it was quite yumtastic. 

And because I loved the soup to such a degree that I started spouting non-words in blog posts, I decided I should share the recipe with my favorite people too. Hint: I mean YOU.

 

Image Source: ReservationsatDorsia

Now I did modify the recipe just a wee bit. Their recipe called for wine, which I omitted. I also left out the turmeric, and I swapped dehydrated onion for the yellow onion--and I used granulated garlic instead of garlic powder, and frozen diced chicken instead of rotisserie. But this soup was so good in the end, so those omissions didn't hurt it at all. You could always add them in if you wanted, of course.

So anyhoots. How about that recipe?

Ingredients

For the Roux (to thicken your soup--make this first)

• 4 TBSP Flour
• 2 TBSP Olive Oil
• 2 TBSP Butter - unsalted

Make the roux by heating the oil and butter in a small pot, then sprinkle the flour on top. Whisk it together until the flour is fully absorbed and the roux turns almost golden. Then take it off the heat and set aside while starting with your other ingredients in a dutch oven or large pot.

• 2 TBSP butter - unsalted
• 2 TBSP Olive OIl
• 4 stalks Carrots, peeled and sliced
• 2 stalks Celery, chopped
• 1 sweet Yellow Onion - diced (or whatever onion you prefer, or even shallots)
• 4 Cups Chicken Stock or broth
• 3½ Cups Milk or cream or half & half (I used milk)
• 2 TBSP Chicken Bouillon granules
• 1 TSP fresh cracked Pepper
• 1 TBSP Dried Parsley or 2 TBSP fresh parsley
• 3 Bay Leaves
• 1½ TSP Herbs of Provence
• ¼ TSP Granulated Garlic (or minced--add more if you like)
• 3 Cups cubed Chicken - frozen, rotisserie, or leftover
• Shredded Gruyere Cheese

Instructions

1. Start by making the roux.
2. Chop the vegetables and set them aside until ready to saute.
3. In a Dutch oven, saute the vegetables in the olive oil and butter until softened. Cook the carrots and celery first, then add the onions when the veggies are almost tender.
4. Add all of the other ingredients including the roux, stir well.
5. Bring it to a boil, then turn down the heat to low and let it simmer for 20-30 minutes, until the soup thickens to the desired consistency--stirring frequently so that the soup can't burn.
6. If you need to thicken the soup, mix together some cornstarch with milk or cold water  and then stir it into the soup.
7. Remove the bay leaves.
8. Pour soup into bowls and then sprinkle with shredded Gruyere cheese. 

It may look something like this...

And after you've eaten it, you may look something like this...

Bon appetit!

WTF Wednesday Fanny Packin

Thanks to my friend, Lori for finding and sharing this on FB. It's perfect for your WTF Wednesday.

I can't believe that guy still wears a fanny pack!

Things I Learned While I was 48

Well it's that time of year of again. You know, the day in which I honor the awe and wonder that is the 28th day of September. Also known as the day of my birth. Yep.

And due to my wildly popular Best Things I Learned While I was 47 post last year, I thought I'd try to capitalize on a post format that worked so well last year, and bring that same glorious magic to my 48th year of living on planet earth as well. Predictability is highly underrated. Just sayin.

I know you're a-tingle with anticipation. So let's get right to it, shall we?

As always, in no particular order, here's what I learned over the past 365 days...

• Alcoholic Root Beer tastes like Root Beer. With alcohol in it. 
• The only thing worse than my Obamacare health insurance payments is having the stomach flu and vomiting multiple times in one day. But it was almost too close to call.
• It is possible to plan an entire wedding in two months without going completely insane.
• Testosterone causes objects to become invisible to men when they're looking for them--even when they're right in front them. 
• Conversely, estrogen gives women the power to find things that are completely invisible to men.
• Taking your daughter and granddaughter to see Cinderella is almost as magical as the movie itself.
• No one is quite as hot as Richard Madden as the King of the North. Except maybe Richard Madden as Prince Charming. 

• Snagajob always seems to have amazeballs careers waiting for me. You know, like selling Avon, or working at Taco Bell. 
• It's OK if the Hubs wants to sleep with a college student. As long as it's me.
• The easiest way to piss someone off is to reply 'K' to a paragraph-long text.
• The best Dance Party is the Carlton Dance Party.
• I have so much in common with Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie. (We all eat at Subway sometimes, so yeah, it counts.)
• KFC's recent 'Colonel' commercials are just creepy enough to make me NOT want to eat at KFC. 
• The only thing worse than KFC's 'Colonel' commercials are Matthew McConaughey's Lincoln commercials. Newsflash, Lincoln execs: if you wanna sell Lincolns, it's not that difficult.

• I stop taking anyone seriously as soon as they use the word, 'Supposably.'
• I'm pretty sure rocket science is far less complicated than getting the seal off of my bottle of International Delight creamer.
• If the power's going to go out during a storm, it will be the same day you just went to the grocery store and your frig is crammed full of food.
• I like Pina Coladas, and getting caught in the rain...
• I'm glad I don't have to draw on my eyebrows every day, because at this point in my life I'm sure I'd forget to do that.
• My need for bifocals became clear the moment I tried to pick up a wad of hair off the carpet. And it was a centipede.
• Closing your eyes while you eat a candy bar makes it lose its calories. I read that on the Internet so I know it's true.

Finally, now that my birthday is nearing its end, I'm just sitting here waiting for my birthday dessert to arrive.

The cake would be awesome too.

The Carton Dance Party

You know, most some days you don't feel like doing anything. But then on other days, you just have an uncontrollable, indescribable, unexpected desire...for a Dance Party. 

Don't pretend like you don't know what I'm talking about it. I know you need it too sometimes.

So to help you quench that inexplicable foot-tapping, booty-shaking thirst, I'm bringing to you something spectacular: The Carlton Dance Party.

Dang, that brings back some Fresh Prince of Bel Air-style nostalgia, doesn't it? And doesn't Carlton know how to work that Michael Jackson 'Beat It' jacket?! A hee hee.

But wait. There's more! I just happened to come across a video from last March of The Graham Norton Show. The video features Will Smith, his son, and none other than our man Carlton (aka Alfonso Rebeiro) doing The Carlton. It was pure Heaven, folks.

I know, I know. I'm easily amused. But if you were ever a fan of Alfonso, the Fresh Prince, or just The Carlton, you gotta see it for yourself.

Now wasn't that glorious?! Don'tcha just feel like dancing? But if not--if by some chance you're not a fan of The Carlton, or perhaps you'd rather just go back to what you were doing and pretend like you didn't see a thing...

WTF Wednesday - Cake Fail

So what happens when a little girl requests a birthday cake from a local grocery store bakery, one that she wants to look like a doll in a dress?

WTF, man?! You had one job. Now see what you've done.

On the plus side, at least it gave me something for your WTF Wednesday post. :)

7 Questions for Ian Somerhalder

Given that my last post was in November, I may perhaps have lost all three of my loyal followers. What can I say? I've been out of blogging mode for awhile now...concentrating on my art and my family. But now that I'm facing a rather scary health crisis, and given that I'm just self-centered enough to want to read my own thoughts online, I figured I'd better start blogging again while I still can. And what better way to jump back into the blogosphere than with a post dedicated to my favorite man-crush, Ian Somerhalder?! 

Can I get a 'hells yeah,' people!

Now that I have your attention, let us get to the task at hand. Namely, my 7 Questions for Ian Somerhalder. You know, because 6 questions aren't enough, and and 8 would just be overkill. So here we go.

1.  How did your eyes get so damn blue?!

I don't even care if that photo is enhanced, your baby blues are some of the bluest I've ever seen.  It's so freaking distracting--in the best haunt-your-dreams-and-make-me-feel-like-a-15-year-old-girl kind of way. A girl could get lost in there...lose all sense of space, time, and reality. 

What was I saying? Oh right. The eyes. But moving on...

2.  Do you have a license for those guns?

There's something about your biceps. They're um, nice. Yes, 'nice', that's perfectly polite and ladylike. I am a lady, after all, and a happily married one at that. But a girl can look. I'm not blind. Am I right? And they're like, right...there. 

3.  How did you master that eye thing you do?

 And really, could you teach my Hubs how to do that? 

4.  How is it that you make blood and fangs look sexy?

Edward Cullen was hot, in a sparkly-and-overly-coiffed sort of way. But let's face it: you as Damon Salvatore on The Vampire Diaries--YOU make vampires S-E-X-Y.  

 And BTW...

If you need to practice your biting technique, I'm totes available.

5. In which episode of TVD will you next appear shirtless?

Because, well...

Is it hot in here or is it just me? Lord have mercy.

6.  Can I bite that lip for you?

What? It's a legit question, people.

7.  You're a defender of animals and a warrior for protecting the environment, you're an amazing actor, you're kind and compassionate, you're a devoted husband (and your wife is equally amazing, dammit), and you're all gorgeous and sexy to boot. There's only so much a fan girl can take. Are you trying to kill me?

The bottom line is this, Mr. Somerhalder:

Well, actually, you had me at LOST, as the sweetly sexy character of Boone. But it's your good-bad-boy behavior as the immortal Damon Salvatore on TVD that captured my full fan-girl attention. 6+ years of blood lust and Mystic Falls and Delena and those blue eyes and shirtless shower scenes and that eye thing you do. I mean really, what's a girl to do?!

Now that I've asked you these 7 Questions, Mr. Somerhalder, please feel free shoot me an email with your replies. Or you can tweet me @TinaGrimes.