Hot off the griddle

I know, lame title. Remember? I'm no writer folks. But I'd like to share the cool new product that graces my counter top. It's a folding electric griddle. It's made by Rival and purchased at the local Ace Hardware. You know the one, downtown, big parking lot, crazy furry man running the show. Any way, it's really cool. The plates come off so you can wash it in the sink. Genius! Then it folds in half and tucks away in a little space. Did I mention each side has it's own dial so you can just heat up one side or.... have either side at a different temp. This must be for people who follow directions and remember eggs should be cooked at certain degree and bacon should be cooked at another degree. (I don't even know what those degrees are)

I was checking out the features of the new appliance in between making my super cool cookies for our Friday cookie exchange/shopping/eating/drinking evening. They are Carmel surprise chocolate and they are delicious. The test batch went well, but we are having issues with portion control. The recipe was suppose to make 30 cookies and we may have gotten 25 cookies out of the deal. Reese was so cute opening every chocolate Rollo candy. That kid is a helper! When we were getting all the ingredients out there was a moment of shock when we discovered the brown sugar bag was bought at Jim's IGA. Flashback! Could brown sugar really be ok after all that time? The label had a 2000 date on it. Has Jim's really been gone for 8 years? Hard to believe. Well it was quality sugar because there was nothing wrong with it and we used it up! Tomorrow's trip to Frank's will yield the rest of the ingredients necessary for the next batch need to get our 3 dozen treats for sharing.

I've been getting the cute Christmas cards I crave! Getting good mail is the best part of December. It's so hard to sit down and label, stamp, sign and personal note all the wonderful people in your life, but not only is it great to get them it makes you realize how many awesome people are in my life. Thanks to everyone who takes the time to keep my mailman Frank employed.

Merry Christmas!

You Oughta Know

I've been enjoying the sounds of Matt Nathanson's new album (well it was released in 2007) and yesterday I saw he was on VH1 with the coveted "You Oughta Know" label. Not that this new spotlight will promise he sees more radio play, but I was happy for him.

My predictable favorite is "Come on get Higher". His lyrics and smooth guitar are beautiful and usually heard at least once a day blaring from the speakers of the mom-van. But the song "Car Crash" is good too.

His bio page puts it best....

"At the core of Nathanson's music are his lyrics -- deft turns of phrase that can alternately cut deep into the heart or heal it. That's evident throughout Some Mad Hope, a song cycle of sorts that chronicles the search for a genuine connection, touching on the sensually electric moments as well as the darker frustrations of sifting through the wreckage -- in hopes of finding redemption at the end of the day."

If only I could write. When people can capture a feeling, a scene or a person with insight and wisdom, the jealousy is overwhelming. Words fail me often. Matt is an musical and lyrical artist. Enjoy his talent.