Hooray For Hollywood

Have I ever mentioned my great love of Netflix? It's hard to believe that we ever had to go to an actual video store to pick out a movie. I prefer to wait for movies to come out on DVD, I like watching movies in the comfort of my own home. Unless the movie is Avatar, that you have to see in IMAX 3D.

What I've Been Watching

Inventive storytelling, great ending, and there's a dance sequence.

Johnny Depp is the best actor around. Period.

Yes, they sexed up the story, but there's also a lot of actual historical facts going on.

Undoubtedly a Quentin Tarentino product, best character was the SS Colonel.

Watching Bob Fosse dance with his real-life wife? Incredible.

One of the few movies that is as funny as everyone says it is, and Mike Tyson has a French Bulldog puppy.

Dances With Wolves with aliens and astonishing special effects.

Chocolate Time

Here is something that I know to be true -

Brownies make everything better

Whatever the situation, you just can't go wrong with a brownie. We all know that I'm cooking impaired, but brownies are something I excel at. I will tell you my secret. I don't make them from scratch, they are "faux-made". That means I use a mix, but put my own spin on it. I add 3 different kinds of high-end chocolate pieces (my favorite are Ghiradelli chocolate chunks) and end up with the most decadent brownies in creation. I made a batch this week and the warm, gooey, goodness was the perfect juxtaposition to the cold, gray weather.

Since brownies are the only thing I actually bake, I was intrigued by this product.

Dane saw it and felt that I had to have it. I put my cynicism aside (when has anything As See On TV ever worked?) and bought one. Imagine my surprise when it actually did what it said it would. I am officially endorsing this product, I love it. Now my faux-made baking is even easier.

Raindrops Keep Falling...

Guess what? It's still raining. This storm just isn't going anywhere and life must go on, so I've been forced out of my warm cocoon and into the wet reality.

I don't really mind a rainy day in and of itself, but there are some by-products of this weather that I could do without.

When it rains;

• people forget how to drive. Seriously, if you can't remember to slow down and turn your lights on, stay home.

• dogs do not enjoy going outside to do their doggy business. That means an alternate location for said business is found. Enough said.

• it does really bad things to my hair. I've spent an inordinate amount of time in my life trying to make my curly hair straight and when it's raining it's a battle I just can't win.

• it's all people can talk about. I'm proof of that.

Rainy Days And Mondays

I've got nothing but love for the great state of California and it's glorious weather. Rain or shine, it's all good. (Probably because it's more rain than shine) It's been overcast and kind of gloomy the last few days and frankly it just makes me want to hibernate. I want to wear pajamas all day and curl up in front of the fire and watch the rain come down outside while I stay warm and dry. Because of the weather we changed our plans for the 3 day weekend and I got my wish for a stay-at-home, jammie clad, hibernation weekend. We watched lots of movies, (kids saw Ferris Bueller for the first time, classic) ate soup, played games, watched the play offs, read books, and drank lots of hot chocolate. Even more than the feeling of being in my pj's at 3:00 in the afternoon, I liked the feeling that we were all together and that my family was protected from the storm. Just like everyone else I've been following the news from Haiti, and I feel like now is a very good time for me to take a moment and be grateful for the roof over my head.

Half A Year

Gwen At 6 Months

A Little Brains, A Little Talent

Last year Dagny was a Russian Jew,

this year she's working for the Devil.

Say Hello to Lola

Lola is such an iconic character, Dagny is going to have a lot of fun stepping into her shoes. Damn Yankees is going to be a great show.

There and Back Again

I love the last 2 weeks of December, they are possibly the best 2 weeks of the year. Steve always takes that time off from work, it's Christmas, our anniversary, New Years, and the kids go to winter camp. I told you it was good.

Off to camp they go

This is Gavin's sad face.

He actually looks like this all the time but

especially when his small humans are at camp

Camp is filled with many fantastical activities

like nature hikes and campfires, but since

this is the coolest camp ever,

they also had a New Years Eve Ball

This is Gavin's Happy New Year face

Home Again

Treasures were shared

They came back happier and dirtier,

that means they had a good time

While the kids were away we enjoyed ourselves immensely, we had fun and accomplished very little. We hung out with our friends, had a swanky night out on our anniversary, and unfortunately took pictures of none of it. I have a terrible habit of only getting my camera out when my kids or the dogs are around. So there's my New Years resolution, take more pictures. I think I can handle that one.

New Year

New Year’s Day – now is the accepted time to make your regular annual good resolutions. Next week we can begin paving hell with them as usual.  
~ Mark Twain

I learned that quote from my dad. My dad and Mark Twain, they're funny guys. Regardless of the state of your resolutions, it's a new year and a new decade. How exciting.