Me & Snoops

May 1980

Is this for real?

This photo made me actually LOL and say aloud, "Oh come on, are you kidding me?!" I mean, could you possibly imagine waking up in the morning, walking out your front door and seeing this? It's completely unbelievable. The vibrant green hills grass, the church steeple rising above the treeline, the mountains, the stream cutting through the valley and the bright sky could be slightly plausible, but that waterfall? That's just puts it over-the-top. Can any place on planet Earth be this gorgeous? I may have to find out for myself...

(stunning photo of Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland taken by Senai Senna - @sennarelax)

San Francisco Days

Few artists can consistently produce exceptional work as brilliantly as Chris Isaak. His performances are always spot on, his skill at song writing puts him up there with the best in the business, and his voice is undeniable and akin to liquid caramel. I've yet to hear a Chris Isaak song that wasn't outstanding. His songs are versatile - some warm, others cool; they can be sweet, sensual, and seductive, then lonesome and heart breaking. It's not possible for me to choose a favourite Chris Isaak album, but San Francisco Days is, well, let's just say it, it's absolutely sublime. 

Tiny Magnificence

Is this lil' cabin to die for or what? Apparently it's tucked away somewheres in Vermont. I love the colour choices and the lovely details - the wood carvings above the doorway, the horse heads up on the roof, the porch and the string of lights. It's so welcoming. Wish I had me a little beauty like this...

(photo kidnapped from IG - taken by Emily-Nicole Johns @emilynicolejohns)

Once Upon An Island

BFF Amy's Aunt Betty, wife of the delightful Uncle Walt, wrote a book in 1988 about their life in New Zealand on Arapawa Island in the Marlborough Sounds. It tells of how they pulled up stakes and left their family home in Pennsylvania to move halfway around the world and lead an entirely different life. I located a copy on Amazon in 2012 and decided to finally crack it open and dive in.

And here's Uncle Walt. I met him one Summer in the mid-late 80s when I was staying with the Rowe's and Uncle Walt was home for a visit. I think we were at Andy and Stephanie's. Anyway, someone was playing a record and The Five Satin's In the Still of the Night came on. Amy partnered with her Dad - Mark, one of the best fellas of all time - and Uncle Walt asked me to add him to my dance card. I still think of him whenever I hear that song. 

The One and Only Bestest Bestie

Dinner with Amy!! It was soooo good to hug her and catch up and just share space with this lady. After some grub we did a little shopping and then headed over to Target (which I still boycott). Amy gives up chocolate every year for Lent, even though she's not religious. It's more to set a challenge for herself. Anyway, she was desperate for something so we went to the baking aisle to pick up some buttercream cake frosting. Then, in the distance, Amy saw a glowing halo encircle a box...it drew her closer and then, and then, a choir of angels sang...behold, Krispy Kreme cake mix!!

It was so hard for me to not pick it up and buy it. Thankfully it contains milk, so it isn't vegan and it was at Target. But I bet that mix makes one helluva cake. Also, random tip that Farmer Amy hipped me to - duck eggs have a high fat content and are best used when baking. Especially soufflés and cheesecakes. I can only imagine what they'd do to a Krispy Kreme Betty Crocker mix... Anyways, it was a bit of a drag to only have a handful of hours together, but every minute with Amy was stress free and fabulous. After 39 years of being BFFs we are nowhere near sick of each other. Looks like it'll be that way forever! She ain't gettin' rid of me any time soon. 

The Ladies Have Returned!

Thank goodness. Season three of Grace and Frankie is as good as one and two and seeing these gals together just puts a smile on my face. This season I really like seeing the former hubbies, Robert & Sol, who are now well, actual hubbies to each other. Their relationship is actually endearing, whereas the last two seasons I felt like they were in the way and didn't care for their side-stories. This time though, I think everything is melding together beautifully. Fingers crossed that they bring us all a season four!!

(photo kidnapped from hofmag)

Very British Problems

I so enjoyed this series on Netflix (what would I do without my subscription to the 'flix?) and if it weren't for my accent, heritage, and over-friendliness which is merely to compensate for my American shyness, I could so be a Brit. I don't like chatting on airlines, social occasions, meeting my friend's friends, odd situations that should be silent but where people force small talk (gyno, dentist, etc.), having to poopod at other people's homes, the annoyance of tipping and when to tip and how much, haggling the price of something, texting do's and don'ts, and especially the rudeness. When Stephen Mangan said that he would rather eat a plate of cold sick than complain to a waiter I raised my hand and said "Yup - ditto, man!" If I'm unhappy with the service or food at a restaurant, I will smile and say it's fabulous, over-tip and then get my revenge, silently, mind you, by never going back. As if that is gonna shut that business down instantly; that they would crumb into oblivion because their pizza is utter shit in the opinion of one random weirdo girl from the poor side of town.

(photo kidnapped from verybritishproblems)

Bailey & Piggs

When I was purging a few years back and parting with some of my fave stuffed pals, I gave Ashlee my adorable lil' piggy so she could pass it along to her unborn babe. This pic from Ash makes me all warm and gooey knowing that Piggs is finally getting the love and attention that his cute lil' piggy-self deserves. 

Positano Pal

Yesterday I messaged David on What's App to remind him that one year ago I sat on a bench under a concrete alcove in a small Italian fishing village and waited for him to come bounding up a hundred and one steps to greet me with a brilliant smile. 

The Return of Poldark

Poldark's second series is nearly as good as the first, although George Warleggan has become a truly tiresome villain. I am just so completely over him. And Poldark needs to let go of his childhood adoration of Elizabeth. It's rather droll at this point. But man, oh man, didn't that useless sod Francis redeem himself? About damn time, if you ask me. Oh, and Dr. Dwight Enys is suddenly sort of fabulous. Never paid him much mind in the last season, but this go around he caught my eye. I still have four more episodes to go...hopefully Elizabeth steers clear of George - wait, I take that back. I hope she marries that cad because she deserves a life of misery if she falls for his false charms. Especially after all the times, during her marriage no less, that he suggested that she consider a friendship with him. He's just gross and she's an annoying wimp. Anyway, rant finished. So to continue, I am crossing fingers that Ross realises what an ass he is by clinging to a long ago love affair and that Dwight and Caroline live happily ever after, albeit in poverty since Dwight makes a rather poor living, but may they remain rich in love! Okay, that was sickeningly sweet, even for me, but whatevs, it's the truth.

(Post script - two episodes left and I am already sick to the back teeth of this series. It feels like they are just regurgitating the same plot over and over.  To think that just a handful of days ago I actually really liked this show. Ugh.)

Feud

Last night at Bishop and Pax's I caught the third ep of Feud - Bette & Joan and holy cannoli, I was blown away. A simply stunning series, full stop. From the remarkable cast who all seem to transform into look-a-like versions of the real thing, to the wardrobe and set design, both of which are rich and sumptuous, to the writing and direction. I so appreciate the creation of a series that allows so many women in the industry to prove that we as a gender are never irrelevant, regardless of age. I can't wait til it's over and out on DVD so that I can watch every episode in a row. What an outstanding and refreshing concept for a new series.

Girl Time

Miss Sydney Elizabeth is my niece that, until today, scared me the most. She's the perfect girl - smart, strikingly beautiful, strong-willed, funny, feisty, sweet and sassy in equal measures, and confidence for days. I'm the opposite and always fear that Syd, the popular girl, will think I'm a huge dork (which I proudly am!!) and want nothing to do with me. We get along swimmingly during family get-togethers but I struggle with the one on one. Today we had no distractions - no music in the car and no one but us - and the conversation was easy and nonstop. I've always loved this lady, but now I think we have truly become great mates.

My Own Lagertha!!

Helen wow'ed me again! I received my travel journal the other night and this time around she included a sketch she did of our fave Viking shield maiden, Lagertha. I absolutely love it and will be purchasing a frame for it tonight!

Jax's Lep

(sassiest damn leprechaun this side of the Atlantic!)

St. Patrick's Day Sweets

How absolutely adorable is this lil' leprechaun cake?? I really like the cupcakes, too, but I'm a gal that prefers a full beard on a man. Mythical or otherwise.

Heart Beet Cupcakes!

These little sweetie-sweets that Zach and I split last Saturday were divine - chocolate with blood orange icing and vanilla with key lime frosting. So delicious! (The key lime was the best, tho, and if Syd and I go to Heart Beet this coming Sunday, I will most definitely be ordering one all for me.)

Community

The first three seasons of this series are impressive, well written, beautifully executed, and unbelievably hysterical. It's so hard to pick a favourite character, but if pressed, I think Pierce makes me laugh the most often, Shirley's sweet 'n' sassy combo always makes me smile, and Abed is probably the most unique character ever on TV. Oh, and of course honourable mention goes to Dean Pelton!! He is so creepy and awkward.

Having to stay home sick today really sucks, but this show is producing some major healing laughs.

ps - When John Michael Higgins in season 1 episode 9 Debate 109 said, "By Zeus, what sort of jackassery is this?" I had to gasp for air. So freakin' funny!

St. Patrick's Day Card Time!

Yesterday Jackson came over to make some St. Patty's Day cards, goof off, eat non-stop, and watch City Lights. The kid hung in there for a good hour until he started to ask when it was gonna be over. Jax seems only interested in the Lord of the Rings series, so for now I will be giving up on introducing him to the classics. On the brighter side of things, I thoroughly enjoyed seeing my favourite Chaplin flick again!

Eugene makes everything better.

Ugh. Just before I was to leave for Bishop's tonight I started to feel not-so-great. Shot him a text and decided to stay home, burrow under the blankies, drown myself in tea, tea, and more tea. I am convincing myself that I am well and binge-watching Schitt's Creek in the hopes of laughing the illness from my body!

Me & Z

For the first time in I don't know how long, Zach and I went out for lunch together. He's always willing to try new restaurants and eateries, so I dragged him to my favourite place, Heart Beet Kitchen in Westmont. We kinda pigged out and I spent close to eighty bucks. So worth it though. We shared everything - pizza appetizer with zukes, eggplant, tomato, and red peps with yummy cashew cheese drizzle, plus a coconut BLT (one of the best sandwiches I have ever had), an avocado with lettuce and tomato s'wich, cupcakes, a cherry chocolate bomb smoothie for me and cocoa for Zach (which I later discovered was disgusting - I think they forgot to add the sugar. It was inedible and went down the drain while I muttered "six dollars and fifty cents..."). Then a pit stop and pic at the library and home to watch Jax and Chase run around the house screaming and giggling.

Power O'ing - Love Grown Style

This is officially my new favourite cereal! Made from beans - how mental is that?! Mental in a good way, obviously. It is divine when paired with So Delicious Chocolate Coconut milk. It's like dessert for breakfast. Or for lunch. Afternoon snack, oh hell, it's dessert for any time of day. If you see it in the Natural Food section of the market, give it a try. Crunchy, tasty and packed with protein - it's yum-yum-yummy.

If you could...

...date any character from a TV show, who would it be?

Sawyer from Lost!! Because he's...

handsome (tho mostly hairless)

bearded (well, a bit of scruff)

slightly devilish • mysterious • secretly kind • compassionate • romantic

likes to read!

intelligent • cunning • affectionate • witty • charming • sweet • gorgeous smile • bit of a belly • beautiful arms • broad shoulders • tall • strong • feisty • not afraid of confrontation • protective • incredible kisser (from the looks of it!!)

not racist/bigoted • likes Little House • wears reading glasses

good w/babies and kids

hard working • into Bob Marley!

What more could a lady ask for?! I think my favourite Sawyer moment, and there were many, was when he killed Tom. I remember gasping in disbelief because I came to kind of like Tom. I was stunned that Sawyer would murder someone in cold blood like that. Then Hurley asked why Sawyer did that; Tom had already surrendered. Sawyer said he didn't believe him. And ya know what? It wasn't a forgiving act, it wasn't kind, it wasn't noble, but it was all so understandable as soon as Sawyer said, "That's for takin' the kid off the raft." Anyone that would kidnap a child isn't to ever be trusted and I thought so highly of Sawyer in that moment when he pretty much was like, "Eff this, this guy's not getting away with anything anymore." Good on ya, darlin'.

IM'ing with Kimmy!

I was assigning stuff to Kim at work and labeled her section as Kimmy Kim Kim Of the Kimmy's of the Kimdom of Kimminess. Her response via Instant Message was as follows:

KSP: Kimmy Kim Kim Of the Kimmy's of the Kimdom of Kimminess

Star: HA!!! i told you i went bananas this time

KSP: That is ridic awesomeness

Star: i told cec that it just popped in my mind and i started typing
my brain is a scary scary place
LOL 

KSP: I love. I want to crawl in your brain and hibernate
Come out in Spring and wake up as witty as you

Star: there's certainly room for you!!
OMG - you are hilarious

She wants to crawl in my brain and hibernate. God, I love her!

Asher Nash

Got this text from Ashlee this AM:

So of course I went right over to Google to see who this wee man is and how he was changing the face of beauty. Oh my lord Jesus, this kid is so freakin' adorable that you can't help but smile and feel all warm and fuzzy inside. Just look!!!

Look at his ears!!! He is an elf! Oh this angelic lil' dollop of sunshine yumminess just made my whole day that much brighter. Way to go Osh Kosh for booking this cutie to represent their brand. He is pure perfection and absolutely melts around your heart like velvet.

Haruspex

Thomas Newman - Saeta
Ani DiFranco - School Night
Tom Waits - I'm Still Here
Dinah Washington - I'll Close My Eyes
The Stones - Moonlight Mile
Pulp - Feeling Called Love
Madonna - Love Tried to Welcome Me
Depeche Mode - Somebody
Paris Combo - On N'as Pas Besoin
Cheryl Wheeler - Is It Peace or Is It Prozac?
Chet Baker - My Funny Valentine
Frou Frou - Let Go
Johnny Cash & June Carter-Cash - Jackson
Frank Sinatra - Corcovado 
DeEtta Little & Nelson Pigford - You Take My Heart Away
William Michals - Lament for a Decoy Cop
Portishead - Biscuit
Blonde Redhead - Elephant Woman
Damien Rice - The Blower's Daughter
The Hollies - King Midas in Reverse

- 6 June 2006

Dig This

As a fan of all things nostalgic, this fab lil' shop caught my eye yesterday. I'm too scared to go in and look around though, I know I can't afford anything and the shop owners will think I'm poor or cheap. It's easier to admire from outside and just look like a weirdo.