Black Belt Scrapping

New Soul

New Soul by Yael Naim, featuring pianist David Donatien! That's the song from the Mac Air commercial that I like so much. A big thanks to Kayla for sending me the link to the video. Yael is an Israeli singer/songwriter and I think she has the potential to be really big here in the US. She's already quite popular in Europe from what I've read. Thanks Kayla! I really like this video too.

I didn't get many comments yesterday. I can only figure that:

- nobody likes my music
- nobody listens to music
- you're stuck on the Barney/The Wiggles/The Backyardigans playlist (been there, done that!)
- my readers are stuck in the time warp of classic rock and 80's music, like my husband

It's all good! I was just a bit surprised. For a long time, especially through the 90's and early 00's, I wasn't into contemporary music other than pop/country. I just didn't like it. In the last two years or so that's changed and as I've told my husband a lot, there is a lot of really refreshing, great music being written and performed lately. It's just fun. I love pretty much all music. From rock, to country, to alternative, to classical, to classic Motown (when Michael Jackson wasn't a freak!), etc. I especially love the guys who sing "the standards" like Michael Buble, and the kings of all music, Frank Sinatra and Elvis.

And speaking of Kayla, she just got married early this month. If you like weddings and wedding photography, YOU HAVE TO CHECK OUT HER BLOG......Loving the Married Life. Her wedding pics are up and they are sensational! Truly. She and her new husband Clint are such a lovely couple. Best Wishes Kayla and Clint!

So...what else is new. My show was a blast last evening, thanks to everybody who came out on such a cold January night.

Winter storm warning for tonight. I can see it now...no school tomorrow, but I'll still have to be in the office. I hate days like that. People around here are just LUNATICS when it comes to snow. Let's hope it doesn't happen.

It's January 31st already. Go figure. Where does time go? How is '08 treating you so far? Have a great day! Gonna do laundry and get some scrapping done today!

New Tunes

Shannon got some iTunes gift cards for her birthday, so we spent some time cruising iTunes for new music yesterday. I go in streaks, I won't buy anything for a while, like six months or so, then end up buying a bunch of new stuff.

Today is clean the house day (I'm having a Southern Living at Home party tonight), so I need to get this place shiny and clean. That's the perfect opportunity to crank the iPod with my new music.

Here's what I picked up yesterday:

Pocket Full of Sunshine ~ Natasha Beddingfield. I love this girl. All of her music just makes me smile and want to dance like I'm thirteen years old again. Everything she puts out just makes me happy. I was excited to see that she's got a new album.

The B Side Collection ~ Maroon 5. What can I say? I LOOOOOOVE Maroon 5. They're my favorite band. I had to get these and they do not disappoint. Maroon 5 tunes take up virtually every spot on my "top 25 most played songs" list on my iTunes.

Audio Day Dream - Blake Lewis. I loved Blake on American Idol, but I was hesitant to check this out, I don't know why. Turns out it's got a very 80's feel to it, so of course, I love it!

Here are some other singles that I picked up.

I Don't Want to Be in Love - Good Charlotte

How Far We've Come - Matchbox 20 (love Rob and his so very unique, contemporary voice)

The Way I Am - Ingrid Michaelson

Love Song - Sarah Barellies

Kindly Unspoken - Kate Voegle

Stop and Stare - One Republic

Bubbly - Colbie Callait (another feel good, happy time artist)

And as usual, I love the music on the new Mac Air Ad, but it must be an original song for the ad, because I couldn't find it. Here's the ad:

So what music are you into lately? Any suggestions?

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In other news....

Like I mentioned, I'm having a Southern Living At Home party tonight. I had no plans to do so, but some of the new dishes and pottery is so pretty that I decided to go for it. They're products are so fun, functional and pretty. You can see them here: Southern Living At Home and if you're interested in ordering, you can do so with a credit card, just put my name in as the hostess. Out of town customers can have their order shipped to their own house.

January specials include with a 29.95 purchase:

- a free subscription to Health Magazine AND
- the Ruffled Glass Bowl for $13.95 (regularly $27.95) I love this one! OR
- the Estate Napkin Holder for $14.95 (regularly $29.95)

You can even order a two year subscription to Cooking Light Magazine for $9.95. That's a great deal!

Anyhow, if you're interested, you can order online and have the products shipped to your house. Because it's the end of the month, orders close online tonight at 9pm EST.

That's it for now....off to clean. Bring on the tunes!

Recipe Tuesday ~ Super Party Foods

It's that time of year again...time to clean the Party Basement and get ready for Super Bowl XLII. 

We host a Super Bowl party nearly every year, so I thought that in preparation for this Sunday's shindig, I thought I'd post some diet friendly ~ but still tasty ~ party foods for today's Recipe Tuesday.  No good pics today, just good recipes.  Enjoy!

Spicy BBQ Meatballs

1 1/2 pound lean ground turkey (I used 93/7)
1 cup uncooked quick oats (I used old-fashioned oats)
2 medium egg white(s)
1 large onion(s), finely chopped
1 medium garlic clove(s), chopped
1/4 cup parsley, chopped
1 tsp dried oregano
1 1/2 tsp beef bouillon granules
1/2 tsp black pepper
1 1/4 cup barbecue sauce (I used KC Masterpiece Low Calorie)

Preheat oven to 350ºF. Combine all ingredients, except barbecue sauce, in a medium-size bowl; mix well. I would suggest that the oats be ground up a little in a food processor. Also make sure the onions are chopped finely and you might use a smaller onion.
Coat a baking sheet with cooking spray. Shape meatball mixture into sixty 1-inch balls; place on baking sheet. Bake at 350ºF until cooked through, about 25 minutes. Transfer meatballs to a chafing dish or crockpot to keep warm.
Meanwhile, heat barbecue sauce over medium-high heat until hot. Pour sauce over cooked meatballs, toss gently and serve.

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Ranch Baked Quesadillas

1 cup shredded cooked chicken
1 cup shredded 2% Monterey Jack cheese
1/2 cup Hidden Valley® The Original Ranch® dressing
1/4 cup diced green chilies, rinsed and drained
4 9-inch whole wheat tortillas, warmed
Salsa, Hidden Valley® The Original Ranch® dressing
and guacamole, optional
Preparation
Prep Time: 20 min.
Bake Time: 15 min.
Preheat oven to 350°F.

Combine chicken, cheese, Ranch and chilies in medium bowl. Divide chicken mixture evenly between each tortilla; fold in half to seal. Place quesadillas on baking sheet. Bake for 15 minutes or until cheese is melted. Garnish with salsa, Ranch and guacamole, if desired.

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Shrimp Spread

16 Oz. (2 Pk) Softened Low Fat or Fat Free Cream Cheese
1/2 C REALLEMON Lemon Juice
2 (4 oz) Cans ORLEANS Shrimp, drained and soaked as label directs
1 to 2 Tablespoons Finely Chopped Green Onions*
1 T Prepared Horseradish
1 T Worcestershire Sauce
1/4 T Pepper
1/8 T Garlic Powder
Green onions should be to taste*.

In small mixer bowl, beat cheese until fluffy; gradually beat in lemon juice. Stir in remaining ingredients. Chill to blend flavors. Garnish as desired. Serve with crackers or fresh vegetables. Refrigerate left-overs.

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Baked Spinach Artichoke Dip

(Phase 1 for the dip, but Phase 2 with the Triscuits or bread)

1 pkg (10 oz) frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeeze dried
1 cup of mayonnaise
1/2 cup of chopped red pepper
1 can (14 oz) of artichoke heart quarters, drained and coarsely chopped
1/4 cup of shredded cheese: either Monterrey Jack or mozzarella (I use more cheese than this!)
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan Cheese

Mix mayonnaise and parmesan cheese. Stir in artichoke hearts spinach and red pepper. Spoon mixture into 1-quart casserole pan and sprinkle with shredded cheese. Cover and bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes or until the cheese is melted. Serve warm on chunks of bread, crackers or tortillas chips.

TIP: You can also make this 24 hours ahead, refrigerate and bake as directed the next day.

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Skinny Margaritas

This will save you about 400 calories a drink compared to a regular margarita.

1 can diet soda (Diet Sprite, Diet 7 UP, or Fresca)
1/8 cup lime juice
1 or 2 tubes Crystal Light Lemonade Mix-ins
About 10 ice cubes
2 oz tequila

Blend ingrediants together and serve!

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New Year's Champagne Punch

Makes 18 cups of punch

1 package sugar-free ruby red grapefruit mix and 8 cups cold water
1 teaspoon sugar-free orange drink mix
2 bottles of extra brut, brut, or extra-dry champagne
1 liter club soda

Following the directions on the package, combine 8 cups of water with the appropriate amount of sugar-free ruby red grapefruit mix. Add all the other ingredients except champagne. Chill well. Pour into punch bowl. Add champagne.

TKD Testing

Took my camera to the TKD school this weekend to snap a few pics of belt testing. Not much editing on these (well, none at all, really!), but I was pretty happy with them. Neither Shannon nor I tested this time, I was judging and taking pics, and she was a "fill in fighter". Here are some of the shots (my favorite one is on my photo blog):

Other that that, we're hanging at home today. Shannon was starting to feel under-the-weather yesterday and today she's big time sick in bed. It just sucks to be in bed on your birthday, but fortunately, we celebrated yesterday. Dinner at Maggiano's was just great! Yum! Back to South Beach today.

There She Is....

We went to a lovely dinner at church last night, but I ended up staying awake way too long because (yeah, I'll admit it....) I wanted to stay up to watch the Miss America pageant. I'm not a pageant fan in general, but I do have a bit of a soft spot for Miss America, because twenty years ago (has it really been 20 years?!?!?), one of my high school girlfriends, Kay Lani Rae Rafko, from little ole' Monroe Michigan, brought home the title of Miss America.

I can't tell you how surreal it was to have a friend win a contest like that. It was only a few years before she became Miss Michigan and then Miss American, Kay Lani was a tall, awkward high school girl double dating with me and my Napoleon Dynamite lookalike boyfriend, Bobby. Bizarre.

I have long lost track of Kay Lani, and I'm sure she doesn't remember me, but I sure remember her. I know she's done a lot for the promotion of the nursing profession and is a big advocate of hospice care. Her term as Miss America in 1988 was the first to really promote the idea of Miss Americas promoting a cause to better the world. I have no doubt that she's done that.

Last night another Miss Michigan, Kirsten Haglund, won the crown. Ironically, Kirsten is also a local Cincinnatian, as she's currently a vocal performance major at the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati. I thought it was fitting.

Looking for A Great Piece of Glass

This baby will be arriving at my house in 3 days.

Happy Happy Joy Joy!

- - - -

Busy weekend....taekwondo testing last night and most of the day today. Right now I'm getting ready to head out the door to a nice dinner that we have at church every year. Tomorrow we are singing in the morning and celebrating Shannon's birthday in the late afternoon followed by dinner out. Yummo!

Random Stuff

Not much going on today, just same old, same old. It's quiet in here today and snowing outside. I can hear Olive snoring in the dining room.

Thought I'd just add a few random things.....

Heath Ledger ~ I really hope we don't find that he just overdosed like a junkie. Dead is dead, but I'd like to think that he didn't leave this place because he was a drug addict. So sad. I hate to see the good die young.

Photos ~ got an email from a local radio personality last week who saw some of my pics in the Junior League quarterly magazine and wanted some prints. That was quite a nice surprise and fun too! You can't help but love it when people notice and comment on your work, no matter who they are.

Lightroom ~ I downloaded the trial AGAIN and this time I got Scott Kelby's book and I'm trying it out. I think I might be hooked. If you've got some presets that you love, please let me know about them!

Birthday Gifts ~ I saw online that the pink iHome clock radio is available locally at Circuit City. I'm heading there today to see if I can pick one up and if so, the birthday shopping will be complete. I also got the cake ordered yesterday and the reservations were made at Maggiano's.

Taekwondo ~ I haven't been training this week. My knee has been killing me and I don't know why. I was actually limping yesterday and had to ice it down. Testing is tomorrow and Saturday. I'm judging but not testing, so this is a good time to give it some rest, I suppose.

Call Block ~ We have been getting harassing telephone calls for about a month now from a collection agency who is looking for somebody whom I have never heard of. This guy doesn't even live in our part of the country, but for some reason, the company's autodialer keeps ringing us instead. We have been assured time and time again that it's clearly their mistake (yeah, no kidding) and that we will be taken off of the computer dialing list. That works for a day, then the calls start again. The worst was when they called at 8am on Sunday morning. That is NOT acceptable. So yesterday I called the phone company and put Call Block into effect on several numbers who regularly circumvent the "do not call list" and call us. Blissful silence resulted.

Scrap Goodness ~ Check out the new kit by Amy Hutchinson that will be in her shop tomorrow. I love it! I bet you will too. She's got great stuff going on these days, so be sure to stop by.

Reality Television ~ I'm glad that TK and Rachel won The Amazing Race. Project Runway is great this season, but I wish we'd see more of Tim Gunn. I can't believe that Gene Simmons hanged himself on The Apprentice and I loved seeing Jim Cramer up there with Trump. I'm not enjoying the American Idol auditions as much as I normally do. Maybe Simon isn't being as abrasive as usual, I don't know. I like it that The Biggest Loser is two hours this season. The team concept has been interesting. I wish Jillian Michaels was my trainer. I love her.

And speaking of reality television, today was the date that my Survivor audition tape was due in Los Angeles. I didn't get it done. Maybe next time, I guess. It's the only time I've ever regretted not having a camcorder. I got the paperwork all done, but not the video. Sigh. I couldn't "make it work". Where's Tim Gunn when you need him?

Three Strikes and I'm Out

I'm normally good at gift shopping...I take pride in finding the right gifts for people at the right prices.

Well not this time. I'm striking out. S's birthday is on Monday and we're celebrating on Sunday afternoon. So far everything that I've wanted to get her for her birthday is either not to be found or sold out. She really wants Dance Dance Revolution, but I had no idea that you need a gaming system like a PS2 or Wii to play it. Rats. Scratch that idea. I also thought about getting her one of these:

but I can't find one anywhere in town and now it's too late to order on time. I might end up ordering it anyways.

I went to Michael's to check out their series of American Girl books and crafts, but didn't like the very picked over selection. Sigh.

I cruised WalMart for inspiration and found nothing.

So when all else fails, hit the local variety store for some Webkins. Hot dog! I found the much-sought-after PENGUIN and the LOVE FROG! Yeah baby! They also had Vera Bradley bags on clearance for 50% off. Finally, things were looking up. I picked up the small pink and green Hobo Bag for a steal. I'm not a huge VB fan, but I've wanted a big honkin' one to use as a knitting bag forever, so I'm still considering going back and picking one up, but I probably won't. Even at 50% off, I have a hard time spending $50 on a quilted tote bag.

Did I mention that I also stopped at the library for some Scott Kelby books and the car wash? The library had nothing that I needed, and the car was was closed due to the cold. It's just been one of those days. I'm glad I ended up coming home with SOMETHING, otherwise my whole morning would have been a waste of time.

Off to order the cake and make Sunday night dinner reservations here. Yummy! Diet be damned on Sunday night!

Recipe Tuesday - Skinny Sloppy Joes

Welcome back to my Healthy Recipe Tuesday! 

Are you sticking to your New Year's Goals?  Are you still trying your best to eat healthy?  We are and I am and I'm feeling good.  I'm down 9lbs. since I started back on The Beach on January 2. 

Later this week, I'll be posting about my experience at Jenny Craig yesterday. I had to go and pretend to be interested in enrolling, so that I could get some program information for a project that I'm working on at work. It was interesting. I think it's a solid program, but not for me, for sure.

So back to the main event...food!  Today I'm posting a skinny version of Sloppy Joes.  I love Sloppy Joes!  Unfortunately, the sauces like Manwich that you buy at the store are just loaded with sugar and high fructose corn syrup (its' the DEVIL!).  We've also switched to eating whole grain buns.  I prefer the Natures Own Sugar Free 100% Whole Grain Buns. They've got no sugar and 5g of fiber per roll.  Good eatin'! 

Skinny Sloppy Joe

· 2 pounds lean ground beef
· 1/2 cup chopped onion
· 2 celery ribs with leaves, chopped
· 1/4 cup chopped green pepper
· 1 2/3 cups canned crushed tomatoes
· 1/4 cup ketchup (check for 3 or less g of sugar)
· 2 tablespoons Splenda
· 1 tablespoon vinegar
· 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
· 1 tablespoon steak sauce
· 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
· 1/4 teaspoon ground mustard
· 1/4 teaspoon paprika
· 8 whole-wheat hamburger buns, split

In Dutch oven over med heat, cook beef, onion, celery & green pepper til meat is no longer pink & veggies are tender; drain. Add next nine ingredients; mix well. Simmer, uncovered, 35-40 min, stirring occasionally. Spoon ½ C meat mix on each bun.

Dancing with the Stars!

Sorry for the lack of update....I took a lot of pics at the DWTS show on Thursday night and it's taken a while to get the pics done. Here's a slideshow with some of the shots. My favorite is the one of Drew Lachey going airborne off of the stage. That was just awesome. He's awesome, and he's such a great dancer now that I forgot that he's not technically one of the "pro dancers" because after all of this time, he really is a pro dancer.

I took a few "movies" during the show and they turned out pretty well. Here are my attempts at taking a little movie with my baby camera:

Well, I had two more, but there were bigger than 100MB compressed and YouTube doesn't like that. Maybe another day.

Here's one of my favorite shots of the night. It's grainy, but hey, it was dark and the weather was really bad! My photoblog is updated too!