Obsession

I have a weird new obsession with salt-and-vinegar potato chips. This Cape Cod brand makes the best out there in my opinion.

The weird part is, I'm not exactly sure that I like them. By the time I finish a handful, my tongue feels like it's going to shrivel up and die. But I can't stop eating them.
Feel free to stage an intervention. Or tell me I'm a freak.

Support a worthy cause

I'm taking up a collection...

...to buy the Jonas Brothers longer shirts.

{Blush}

I don't consider myself a prude by any stretch. But when I saw this magazine cover in the check-out lane, for the first time I found myself reaching for one of those plastic cover-up things. My first reaction was to cover my son's eyes (no, he can't read). I mean, no one should have to see the term "bare-assed" when they're waiting to pay for their groceries. (You shouldn't have to read it when you're looking at my blog either. For that, I apologize.) My second thought was, "50 things? Really? That's kind of an impressive number." Third thought? I'm glad I don't have to edit that smut for a living. (That's right, I said smut!) Maybe I am a little prudish after all...

Deadliest Catch returns tomorrow. Woot!

I love the Deadliest Catch. It's by far the best of the perilous jobs shows. (I tried watching Ice Road Truckers...and it's really just guys driving around in trucks. Snore.) The new season starts Tuesday at 8 CST on the Discovery Channel.
My favorite? Capt. Sig and the crew of the Northwestern.

Rock the vote!

Head over to my uncle's blog and check out our family Easter egg competition. I don't know how I'll choose. The competition is stiff this year!

Poor Jim.

It's just like a mini mall

Big thanks to Ryan from The Office for reminding me how much I enjoy this:

Bookmark this

The Meanest Mom is quickly becoming one of my favorite blogs. Jana, aka The Meanest Mom, has a 6-year-old, 5-year-old twins, a 6-month-old, and a really funny perspective on motherhood. Click here, and add it to your favorites.

They don't tell you in parenting class...

...how much of your time and energy would be focused on discussing, monitoring, and analyzing your child's bowel movements.

I'm just sayin'.

Good news for fans of Pushing Daisies, Dirty Sexy Money, and Eli Stone!

Bad news: These shows are still canceled.

Good news: ABC is showing the remaining episodes this summer!

Click here for details.

(Thanks, Leah, for passing this along!)

Pumped

Did I mention that Steph, Leah, and I are going to see Wicked tonight? So excited!

Why do robins lay blue eggs?*

These beauties live in the tree beside my carport. I'm a little concerned about them--it's supposed to get cold tonight.

*Let me know if you have an answer to this question. I tried Googling it but got bored.

Welcome back to Tommy and the gang

I'm a big fan of Rescue Me. The series has definitely had its ups and downs, but it's still one of the most compelling (and at times hilarious) shows on TV. This season features a guest performance by Sir Michael J. Fox, and I'm really looking forward to that.
The new season starts on Tuesday at 9 CST on FX.

Click here to read Entertainment Weekly's review of the new season. They give it an A.

Casting my vote

I was perusing the entries for the Betty Crocker "Mix It Up With Betty" baking contest, and the entry for Chocolate Chip-Ice Cream Cake jumped out at me immediately. I didn't want to cast my vote too hastily (I was pretty sure that the chocolate-cookie-ice cream combo would be delish, but there was only one way to be absolutely certain), so I decided to perform my due diligence and test the recipe myself. (I used vanilla ice cream instead of cookie dough, but I imagine any flavor would work.) It's a winner!

Chocolate Chip-Ice Cream Cake
Prep Time: 40 min
Total Time: 3 hours 25 min
Makes: 15 servings

1 pouch (1 lb 1.5 oz) Betty Crocker® chocolate chip cookie mix
1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
1 egg
1 bottle (7.25 oz) chocolate topping that forms hard shell
1 container (1.5 quart) chocolate chip-cookie dough ice cream (6 cups)

1.Heat oven to 375°F. Spray bottom and sides of 13x9-inch pan with cooking spray. In large bowl, stir cookie mix, butter and egg until soft dough forms.
2. On ungreased cookie sheet, make 5 cookies by dropping dough by tablespoonfuls. Bake 9 to 11 minutes or until edges are golden brown. Cool 2 minutes; remove from cookie sheet to cooling rack.
3. Meanwhile, press remaining dough in pan, using moistened fingers (dough will be sticky). Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until set. Cool completely, about 30 minutes.
4. Spread 1/3 cup chocolate topping over baked crust. Freeze 10 to 15 minutes or until chocolate is set.
5. Meanwhile, remove ice cream from freezer to soften. Spread softened ice cream evenly over chocolate-topped crust.
6. Crumble 5 baked cookies; sprinkle over ice cream layer. Drizzle remaining chocolate topping over cookie crumbs. Cover; freeze 2 hours. To serve, let stand at room temperature 5 minutes before cutting. For serving pieces, cut into 5 rows by 3 rows. Store covered in freezer.

Will you see it?

I don't know how to feel.

Initial reaction: Where the Wild Things Are won't work as a live-action movie.

And the monsters look like that thing from The Neverending Story.

But wait: James Gandolfini is in it. Points for that!

Get your craft on with Martha

I checked out a copy of the new Martha Stewart's Encyclopedia of Crafts from the library to see if I wanted to buy it. I haven't officially made up my mind, but...I think it's a little above my talent level. I suppose this should come as no surprise. Some of the projects (like making beaded letters and decoupaging furniture) look fun and doable, but I just don't see myself etching glass or making my own candles.
It's a beautiful book, but maybe not for me.

Try this: Diapers.com

If you read any parenting magazines, surely you've seen ads for Diapers.com. I'd seen their promotions but didn't try it...until now. I wish I'd ordered from them sooner!

My experience:
I bought a box of Pampers Cruisers (124 diapers).
Regular price: $46.99
Sale price: $41.99 {All Pampers products are currently on sale.}
Coupon: -$1 {You can apply instant coupons with a click of the mouse}
New shopper promo: -$5
Shipping: $0
Tax: $0

Total: $35.99
Not having to go to Babies R Us? Priceless. {Heh heh.}

Awesome, right? The best part: I ordered the diapers on Tuesday afternoon, and they were on my doorstep when I got home on Thursday. Obviously this wouldn't work if you suddenly realize you're out of diapers, but it's great if you can plan a little in advance.

The catch? Well, I didn't really find one. You do have to spend $50 to qualify for free shipping, but I just bought a second pack of diapers. They won't go to waste! They have lots of other baby products too.

Try it yourself: Shop now, and enter code KLDE8163 to get $10 off your first order!

Recipe of the day: Garden Harvest "Cake"

Let's get something straight: If a recipe calls for two kinds of veggies and no frosting, it ain't a cake. Nevertheless, I decided to try this recipe for Garden Harvest Cake after seeing it in the April 2009 issue of Cooking Light. See, I'm in a constant vegetable battle with my very picky son, and I figured it was time to get sneaky.

The so-called cake is packed with shredded carrots, zucchini, apples, and walnuts. It's very similar to zucchini bread. It's tasty and simple to make, after you get past all of the shredding.

{Sorry my food photography is atroche.}

Satisfied customer

{Okay, he ate about three bites, but that has to be better than nothing.}

New necklace: Ooh la la!

What's better than opening up your mailbox to find a brand-new necklace waiting for you? Not much, I'd say. Yesterday I came home to find this little gem from Lauren Nicole Gifts waiting for me. Isn't it a beauty? It's the hand-made Fine Silver Wax Seal Round Initial Necklace ($48). I love the antique look of the necklace. It comes on a sturdy ball chain, which I think even Luke would have a hard time breaking. I'm sure you can think of many people on your gift list who would love this piece of jewelry. Mother's Day, anyone?

It came packaged in this cute little tin. Lauren Nicole Gifts takes great care in packaging their products and making each one look special.

If you aren't familiar with Lauren Nicole Gifts, you must check out their Web site! I've bought several gifts from their site, and I've been very pleased. They offer tons of monogrammed products, from bags and headbands to jewelry and buttons.

Next I have my eye on these monogrammed badge reels. They'll make perfect gifts for Luke's teachers.
Don't miss the Lauren Nicole Gifts blog . They offer really great weekly giveaways and discounts. {In fact, if you go to her blog now, you can enter to win a wax seal initial necklace of your very own! The giveaway ends on Thursday at midnight.}

A few weeks ago I picked up about fifteen small Christmas (that's right, Christmas!) gifts at a really reasonable price. I can't say any more because you might be receiving one (especially if you work with me...)! Definitely make this blog one of your favorites.

Try this: Oreo Balls

We have a shower at work on Tuesday, and I'm bringing Oreo Balls. This is my friend Cindy's recipe; she is the queen of dipping things in white chocolate. Mine aren't as pretty as Cindy's, but they're still very tasty. You really can't go wrong with Oreos, cream cheese, and white chocolate.

Oreo Balls
1 (8-oz.) package cream cheese, softened
1 package Oreos, crushed
White chocolate squares, melted

1. Mix together cream cheese and Oreos until blended. Form into individual balls. Dip in white chocolate, and place on wax paper to allow chocolate to harden; chill.
{Note: I crushed the Oreos in my food processor, and then added the cream cheese and mixed it all together using the food processor. Easy.}