Friday recommendations (one movie, lots of music), 4/25

1. The Revenant. We watched this movie from 2015 on Tuesday night. I'd never seen it. I noticed it was in our Disney+ queue because Scott had been watching it at one point. Very much recommend. 

2. The reason we ended up watching The Revenant is because Scott had been trying to get me to watch The Expanse, as he'd basically made his way through all five seasons (on Amazon) either after I went to bed or early in the morning on the weekends. He swore the characters and storylines are ones "you get really attached to". 

No. 

Don't do it. The first episode was good once you wrapped your head around how disturbing and weird 300 years from now could be. But I promise you, you will not care. It is awful. Every evening, Scott was like "ready to watch?" and I was like "ugh". I could think of nothing less fun than watching The Expanse. I don't care what's going on and there's way too much going on. 

3. I fell down a Spotify rabbit hole last night. Do you remember The Spill Canvas? Gold. This video is what you would get if you were trying to recreate 2008 in a lab. Like, future generations could study it if they wanted to write reports about 2008. 

Just kidding. No one writes reports anymore. 

They have ChatGPT do it. 

4. I hate ChatGPT. I hate it when educators use it, especially. Like, no. Do the work. Don't be lazy. 

5. Speaking of a gold mine, do you remember Cartel? Never mind: THIS is 2008 in a bottle. 

And then the actual gold standard of the early 2000s: Taking Back Sunday.

Or, cinematic gold: Brand New. 

6. Honestly, kids today have it too easy: I had all of that ^^^ downloaded *quite* illegally back in college. And if you want to know where all of our Away Message Lyrics™ came from, they were from songs like those. 

7. Okay, well, that was nice, but I spent last night listening to that music while putting reading data into spreadsheets because I'm woefully behind, put together half of a Walmart grocery order, and fed the dogs multiple treats after the kids went to bed. 

I'm officially *officially* old. 

Guilty pleasure song (a Shawn Mendes confession)

I climbed back onto the stationary bike for the first time in like three weeks. I'm really killing it with this Peloton app, guys. 

The only workouts I've done in a week and a half have been Pilates because I'm so tired at the end of the day and so stressed out in general. It's unfortunate. 

But I had all of Saturday to be around the house so I decided that 30 minutes on the bike wouldn't kill me. Normally I have to do this at night after Wells is asleep, so he's not trying to get out onto the sun porch where we keep the bike. But Wells was otherwise occupied with Scott, so I found a Cody Rigsby ride. 

I have exactly one Peloton friend and she's my friend from Colorado. (follow me; I'm obviously super active on there)

We love Cody Rigsby. He is so entertaining and refreshing. I don't mind some of the other instructors but instructor is one thing: I scan all of the music before I start the class. I can't do a spin/cycling class that has bad music. It infuriates me. In the same way, I can't abide by a song I don't like being on the radio. It's one of the odder things about me.

The point is: Cody had a ride that was Guilty Pleasure Songs last week. 

I scanned it and I saw Shawn Mendes and I was like:

Shawn Mendes is my guilty pleasure when it comes to music. 

I remember, like 5 years ago, all the little girls in my class listening to Stitches (radio edit only, please) and me having the song stuck in my head for weeks at a time. This, it must be said, was still 193948303894x better than having Two Princes stuck in my head.

But, truly, my favorite Shawn Mendes song is There's Nothing Holding Me Back. It's, like, my ride-or-die guilty pleasure song if I had to pick one. 

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Lately, something about springtime must be doing this to me, I've been listening to music in the car with Wells. The podcasts are just too depressing at 7am right now. 

So...I hope he likes my Pandora channels. 

This has come up many times already this week and it's also a favorite of mine and the video is the most adorable of all time. If it doesn't make you smile, I don't know what to tell you. 

I want to tell Wells that I saw Maroon 5 in concert back in the Songs About Jane days (when tickets were $30 to see Adam Levine in 2005...can you imagine?). But he probably doesn't care yet. I'll tell him in a few years. 

What's your guilty pleasure song? Tell me I'm not alone in the Shawn Mendes thing (please).

Currently Listening

I'm not a huge music lover. I go through phases. At this point, I only really listen to music when I'm driving and sometimes at school, and it's usually just Pandora because I'm pretty picky about things. Taking chances with the radio is an annoying waste of time.

I think I'll always be a country music fan. I didn't plan on that. I liked it as a kid, abhorred it for a good 15-20 years, and now it's come full circle.

Most people don't like it. 

For example: we were at the first staff meeting/breakfast of the year last week and the new administrator asked my coworker and I what kind of music she should put on while everyone sat around eating and talking; we were sitting right next to her and her laptop/speakers. This was pure chance. 

I'm pretty sure no one who knew us ever would've asked because we said "country". 

Most people in Colorado Springs don't listen to country music. 

She asked Really??? and we nodded. She, being way too nice, put on country music and we were in awe that it had actually happened. Most people I know listen to [I suppose what you would call] Top 40 stuff. I can't stand that. Or emo-ish stuff. Of Monsters and Men/Lumineers-style music is big, right?

All this to say, we will never get to pick the music again. 

However, in my own classroom, I can listen to whatever I want...

Seein' Red

Anything Goes

Give It All We Got Tonight.

George Strait is King George. 

It doesn't matter what kind of country you like; everyone likes George Strait. His music keeps getting better.

Don't It. 

Finally, no picture here, but this is a country love song that references the Mississippi River, sunsets, and Tom Petty. Also, whiskey and wine. 

And speaking of muscadine...does anyone have a website they order wine from? We discovered muscadine wine in Missouri and you can't find it this far north. 

Anyway. 

What kind of music are you {currently} listening to?

Stuff and Things 9/25

+This is the pantry door I painted over the weekend.  Scott is a fan of bold colors and I'm not necessarily, so this was a nice compromise.  Now I can paint the kitchen gray or something. I bought this sign at World Market a month ago and it's become the inspiration for the rest of the kitchen.  A deconstructed, modern/antique styled kitchen.

+New countertops are coming Monday.  This is the most exciting development yet.

+Pumpkin Swap partners have been sent out!  If you haven't heard from your partner yet, please let me or Becky know.  And please, let's thank Becky for sending out the partners.  I really appreciate her taking on that responsibility!  

+I have a pretty loose definition of country music.  I don't like the stuff that's blasted on the radio.  I prefer to explore my Pandora stations. This song has been everywhere though and, while I enjoy it, it can't possibly be classified as country.

These are the thoughts I have on my 30-some minute commute.  I've been meaning to mention this for weeks.

+Remember back when I had a borderline inappropriate crush on Hunter Hayes? I now find myself listening to a lot of Thomas Rhett.  No tour dates in Colorado anytime soon.  And he's only like 4 years younger than me, so not nearly as inappropriate.  

+Speaking of young, I set up a retirement account the other day.  This is in addition to the automatic withdrawal one provided by my district.  When the consultant asked me how much "liquid" I brought home each month, I was a bit flustered to realize I didn't really know.  Also, I couldn't stop thinking of Chuck Bass after that.

I was going to be all, "Hehe, 'liquid' equals Chuck Bass in my mind.  How bout you? Do you watch Gossip Girl?". But considering that the consultant was a 30 year old male who already presumed me to be an idiot, I decided against it.  

I always get sick on Thursdays

I felt the scratchiness in my throat by lunchtime on Thursday and it was all downhill from there.  I barely slept that night and felt hot and my throat burned on Friday.  Friday night, with a mug of tea in one hand and a mug of candy corn in the other, I was in bed around 9.

Saturday was supposed to be a great day of productivity but all I really wanted to do was lay in bed.  My nose was getting to be stuffy and that, to me, is the worst thing in the entire world.  I'd rather have a sore throat.

Scott had made plans for us to go to Home Depot to order our countertops.  That's right: we've switched from Lowe's to Home Depot for our remodeling needs.  The Lowe's in Fountain (the closest to us) screwed something else up a couple of weeks ago so we ordered our induction cooktop, our copper sink, and now our quartz countertops from Home Depot on the other side of Colorado Springs.  We like them so far.

I knew that if we were going to be on that side of town, I would need some pho for my cold symptoms.  With jasmine tea to drink, it made me feel so much better.  I could eat this every single day.   I put extra chili-pepper sauce in to clear my sinuses.  The broth was practically red after I stirred it up.

Then, it seemed like a nap was in order, but I had made plans for us to go to the Brantley Gilbert concert at the Colorado State Fair.  Or, rather, I'd bought the tickets 2 weeks ago. We've been spending so much money lately that, come hell or high water (a real possibility), we were going to that concert because that $64 was not going to waste.

The Colorado State Fair was….strange.  I don't know if people have just gotten trashier as the years have gone by, or if it's specific to certain places, but it wasn't a place I'd like to spend any amount of time.  I've spent entire days at the Alaska State Fair and never felt like I wanted to slap anyone.  There wasn't enough parking and I was all ready to pay $7 for a spot in a lot, but then we drove around for awhile and ended up parking at the Safeway.  Their loss, I guess.

I swear I wasn't getting a picture of anyone in particular.  Just the venue.

(I feel like I'm a really bad storyteller…this is why I don't do recaps often.)

After a funnel cake and some people-watching, we made our way into the Southwest Motors Event Center…which was heated to approximately 92 degrees fahrenheit with a couple thousand in attendance.  Me, feeling the cold-like symptoms, could've imagined a better place to spend an evening, but it was a really good show.

It was kind of funny because Scott had heard the name "Brantley Gilbert" on the radio and whatnot, but I'm the one who's been listening to him on Pandora for a couple of years.  He doesn't look like a country singer, so Scott was like, "Whaaaa…where are we again?"

And then he tried to tell his friend via text message that he was at the Dierks Bentley concert.  *face palm*

I hadn't been to a concert since Maroon 5…in 2005.  I just always think of better ways to spend my money and I hate committing to dates and times (i.e. the issue of "Do we nap instead?" that came up on Saturday).

Budweiser was obviously a sponsor of the fair because everyone you met had a 25 oz. can of Bud Light.  I thought this was really strange:  Colorado is Coors country.  Anyway, I hadn't had Bud Light since 2007, and it hit the spot.

Sunday, again, I just wanted to sleep but I felt like I had way too much to do.  I started cleaning things, checking stuff off my list, trying out the new Shark Steam mop (I do like it) and then I spent my Kohl's cash on $22 Wood Wick candles and grocery-shopped at Target.  How lovely is it that I can go to Super Target to buy storage tubs and also buy the groceries for the week?  Eliminating unnecessary stops is the name of the game these days.

Back to the point of this post:  I'm feeling better now, good enough for school tomorrow and the busy 4-day week ahead.  That's ALWAYS the way it goes.  Every single time I get a cold.  Symptoms start Thursday, functioning again by Monday.  Happens about 4 times a year.

It's a terrible way to live.

What's on Scott's MP3 Player

You were going to get an awesome outfit post today (because didn't I just promise such things yesterday?), but I went to the doctor yesterday and then all motivation to take a picture was lost.  Plus, I can came home to a sick little Jett-Jett and spent an hour or so cleaning up after him.  I'll have to repeat that outfit soon because I really, really liked it.

So, today, let's talk about Scott and the music he likes to listen to.

Last week, we listened to his MP3 player on the way to Eleven Mile State Park.  His music is usually the go-to on long car trips because I rarely download music onto my phone.  We listened to Imagine Dragons from Alaska to Missouri.  That's a long trip and I'm still not really sick of them.  Also, it's worth mentioning that Scott has a Sony MP3 player because he thinks Apple is ridiculous.

Currently, I noticed he'd downloaded a Colt Ford album.  This song caught my attention.

That is a song about duck hunting.  

Listen to it.  There's a cameo "rap" from Willie Robertson.  We were able to listen to that, while using a Duck Commander duck call, all while driving around looking for a duck hunting spot at the state park.  It was a fantastically good time.  

What am I listening to these days?  Well, I go through phases.  Just this past weekend, I started listening to music again.  I was on a strict audio-book only kick while in the car (currently I'm in the middle of an AMAZING one, but you'll have to wait on that).  There's a pretty good country station here in Colorado Springs though and then Pandora is always a nice option when connected to the bluetooth.  

My favorite is the Thomas Rhett station.

I have no idea what the point of this post is.  I have a 12 hour day at school (including open house) ahead of me, and I really just needed you to know about that duck-hunting song.  I think everyone should have the opportunity to listen to Willie Robertson rap.  

Stuff (and things)

In honor of The Walking Dead being back in circulation, there shall be some weekly Stuff and Things to report.

source

-I love these chips.  I mean, I used to think that the slightly flavored tortilla chips were just awful for you (they are) because they have some kind of preservative/coloring agent that causes weak muscles/weak bones/cancer/gnorro-cepha-mylitis/something like that.  Or that's what the nutritionists would want you to believe.

But, a glance at the nutrition label (don't look at it too closely) will tell you that they're no worse for you than regular tortilla chips.  Win-win!

Some nights, I just crave some good tortilla chips and a glass of wine.  My wants are simple.

-A lot of people at my new job are snazzy dressers.  Really. They give me something to aspire to.  I've become known as the "boot-wearer" though.  I've actually had teachers stop me in the hall to ask me if they're wearing their boots "right".  I think I've found my home.  However, they seem to be amused by the fact that I wear boots everyday.  I don't understand that. Boots are just the only acceptable option when the snow starts in October and lasts 'til May...oh.  Wait.  I probably could invest in some actual shoes now.  I'm just set in my ways, I guess.

I think I want these ones next.

-Speaking of cold weather.  There are people at school wearing winter coats this week.  It's 55* in the morning.  I'm so confused.  I mean, I used to go outdoors regularly when it was 2 degrees (let's leave blogging and the things we do for it out of this).  Maybe I should wear my marshmallow coat when it hits 45 degrees later this week?

Maybe not.  I'm actually not sure where it is. Eh, I probably won't need it......right?

-I tend to go for very long periods of time without listening to any music.  Not even in the car.  I'd say it's been about a month.  This morning, I could not get a Taylor Swift out of my head (something dumb about a Maserati), so I turned on the radio.  Now, I feel like a new person after listening to George Strait's "Natural".  I also ran a very easy 2 miles to some Jason Aldean tonight.  I think I'll be listening to music again for awhile.

 -I think I'm going to make these for school for next week.

source

To be honest, I am THRILLED that we're not having a Halloween party at school.  I hate those things. But I do like making treats.  So we'll have treats.

Any "stuff" or "things" to share?  Did you watch The Walking Dead on Sunday?  How about Homeland?  That show is getting goooooood (minus the Dana nonsense).

What I really think about Robin Thicke

Scott doesn't like the song Blurred Lines.  He said it just sends a really bad message.  I like it for its face value.  I don't read into the lyrics.  I think it says a lot for our society that it's being played on the Today show as the song of the summer.  I swear I hear it every morning as going-to-commercial music.

Here's the thing: Robin Thicke has been around for years.  He's always been doing music like this.  Really.  Google him.  And he's been with his wife for 20 years.  That's more than I can say for these Hollywood couples who are dating/engaged/married for a total of 2-3 years and then decide it's "just not for them" (Hi, Olivia Wilde and Zoe Deschanel).

I'm not defending Robin Thicke.  I'm just giving you a few facts. I don't really care.  I didn't watch the VMAs and I haven't watched MTV since I was 21 because...it's MTV.  Really, I don't care.  Dexter and Breaking Bad were on that night.

I'd just like to bring up a very important point that occurred to me during my 16 hours of driving over the weekend: a Chris Brown song came on the radio.

We, as a society, still listen to Chris Brown's music, don't we?  We still give him fame and glory and admiration?  We still buy his songs on iTunes and go to his concerts?  He BEAT his girlfriend and put her in the hospital.  There's hospital photos and police reports.  There was a court case and a public apology.  He received no real punishment and then won a Grammy 3 years later.  He also broke a window on GMA when someone asked him a question he didn't like (Can you say "was-never-disciplined-as-a-child"?).

So, if we think we need to keep vilifying Robin Thicke, maybe we can do that after we kick Chris Brown out of the music industry.  Just a thought.

from pinterest

Least Favorite Music

Where to begin?

I'm more of a "I don't like that singer" than a "I don't like that song" kinda of person.

Here's the artists that I'm having trouble with these days.  Keep in mind:  Just my humble opinions.

1.  Katie Perry
I've always disliked her.  There's no need for her music.

2.  Justin Timberlake.
I think he had a place in *Nsync.  I think he's a really good actor and should stick to movies (as long as they're not called "In Time").  I just don't like his solo music, and haven't liked anything he's done since 2001.  Also, he married the most boring girl on the planet.  But that is neither here nor there.

3. Carrie Underwood.
Sometimes I feel like I should like her because everyone else does, but I just can't listen to her music.  As a person, I'm sure she's awesome and she seems very normal and down-to-earth.  But the music hurteth my ears.

4. Keith Urban
Just go away.

5.  The Band Perry.
I really enjoyed their first album and used to listen to them on Pandora all the time.  With this new stuff, it just seems like she's yelling, constantly and consistently yelling, at the microphone.  It gives me a headache.

6.  Xtina
I don't know why/how she's still in the spotlight.  She fit in well back in 1999, but that constant warbling (completely ruined a perfectly good Pitbull song) drives me insane.  I think someone needs to tell her that she's not cool anymore...

Speaking of The Voice...

7.  I don't mind Blake Shelton, but I don't like Miranda Lambert's music.  Again, I'm sure she's a great person.  I just can't listen to her sing.  Scott likes her music.  He also likes The Band Perry.  My constant switching of the radio stations bugs him.  (The only artist on his MP3 player we can agree on while driving is Imagine Dragons.)

8.  Sting/The Police
Without a doubt, the musical act I hate the most.  I mean, like, I will break the radio trying to turn it off if this stuff comes on.  That's how quickly I move.

Along the same lines...

9.  Most music from the 80s.  Very un-American of me.

And, random, but...

10.  Collective Soul.  They were at one of the fairs in Missouri last week and the news station played a commercial every 10 minutes, explaining that they were giving away tickets and would showcase some of the music.  Holy cow, who would want to go see a Collective Soul concert?  Ever?  Missouri is farther behind the times than Alaska.  And the Alaska State Fair is having 3 Doors Down this year.  So that's saying something.

At this point, you're probably wondering what I do listen to.  My current favorites include Blurred Lines and Running Out of Moonlight.  And I'm still really loving Florida Georgia Line.

That guy needs a haircut.

To sum up, I don't like female artists who yell into the microphone, which is why I didn't even include Beyonce on this list.  It goes without saying.

What music are you absolutely opposed to?  Also, what are you liking these days?

What in the... Wednesday.

Here's some things I'm shaking my head at...

Grocery shopping:  I spent so much time pining away for cool grocery stores like Trader Joe's and Whole Foods over the last couple of years.
This is my current Trader Joe's situation.

I am the red star. 

Blog shilling: situation in which you use your blog as a platform to shill products you don't care about because someone will send you a free sample if you do.  And/or recommending a product you don't know much about.  Or a product no one really cares about.

If you post in this way, I usually don't read them.  If someone asks me to shill a product (I love that word), I don't do it anymore unless there's specifically something in it for me. I know that sounds bad, but think about it: I'm not going to wax poetic about your product if you're not willing to exchange goods/services.  

A perfect example was Firmoo.  They wanted me to give away a pair of sunglasses.  They wouldn't send me a pair to review because I didn't have enough followers. But they wanted me to recommend them, talk about how great they were, post all kinds of links tracking back to their website...but I wasn't allowed to try them. Why would I recommend something I've never tried? That'd be like saying, "Go to this restaurant because it's the best ever!" when I'd never been there myself.  

I would think that anyone who takes the time to read this blog would deserve and expect better from me.

Weather:  You've all heard, I'm sure, about Alaska's recent heat wave.  The news has not stopped talking about the fact that people in Alaska can wear bathings suits now for, potentially, the first time ever.  (So untrue, actually, because Alaskans go on more tropical vacations than anyone else I've ever known.)

However, I've been getting a lot of, "Wish you were here to enjoy this, Kristin!" in regards to the warm weather there.

.....to where exactly do these people think I've moved?

Notice the cool-down on Sunday :(

A lady was staring, with great fascination, at my Alaska license plate when I came out of Target yesterday.  She said she was looking for where in Alaska it was from.  I said, "Anchorage", she just looked at me, and then I said, "Oh, it's mine".   It took her a minute to realize that I was the Alaskan car's owner...not some person stopping to examine a random car.  Like her.  

I'm drinking the Robin Thicke Kool-Aid.  This might be the catchiest song I've ever heard.  Oh well.   

Oh, and my brothers are turning 24 today.  That's older than I was when I got married, which now means that I'm *officially*-officially old.  

Sunday stuff (and a clarification)

1. I should clarify that when I whined told you about the whole thing where the army could keep us in Alaska, it was a possibility and it scared me and I had to get it out.  That's why I needed to write about it.  When the military is your livelihood, every day brings the possibility for drastic, dramatic change.  My stance has been that I didn't mind living in Alaska for a few years on the army's dime.  There's, in my opinion, no better way to see the 49th state.  But I know an awful lot of people who've gotten "stuck" here and now can't get out.  Be it because a husband reallyreallyreally wants to stay, a good-paying job, family nearby, etc.  I was scared of falling into that category.  Scott does eventually want to buy a piece of land here, and I'm okay with that, because this place has been an important part of our lives. We've spent our first 4 years of marriage here.  I wouldn't mind coming back once in awhile.  I just don't feel like living here anymore for multiple reasons.
I would, though, love for our future kids to see Alaska and not just have it be a foreign concept to them, like it was to me.

I suppose the greater possibility was always that we'd go to Missouri.  It's where the engineers go for training after their first duty station.  I just didn't want to have a countdown ready when, all of sudden, we weren't leaving after all.  That'd make me look like a liar (I work among civilians) and, probably worse, make people feel bad for me.  I don't want that.  But I do need to say that every bit of your support means so much to me.  

If any y'all wish to visit this place, you've got about 3 weeks left if you want a free place to stay.  Book those plane tickets now and be sure to pack those snow pants.  

2.  When I first heard this Macklemore/Ryan Lewis/whoever song on SNL a month ago, I thought it was a skit.  That's how out of sorts it looked and sounded to me.  I said to Scott, "Is this real?" because it seemed to be going on forever and skits don't normally do that.  He said, "I think so, I've heard it on the radio".    We're officially very, very old.  

3.   I mentioned awhile ago how I'm right-handed, but I shoot a gun left-handed.  I cannot close my left eye by itself (a genetic defect of some sort I'm sure), so I'm forced to shoot with my non-dominant hand (not that I shoot that much or anything).  I saw this and thought of my unique inability.

Source

4.  Sometimes I really like my students.

Let me clarify: Sometimes I like some of them when they do something that's nice or kind toward me or someone else.  

Just kidding, I guess.  Everyone knows that all teachers love all children all the time.

Speaking of the children, I told them I was moving.  A few looked like they were going to cry.  One girl said I was breaking her heart.  Some asked why Scott couldn't just move without me (uh, because he'll have to pry himself from my cold, dead hands before he leaves me in Alaska).

Most kids looked at me like this:

I'm not kidding.  This is the most apathetic bunch I've ever had the pleasure of teaching.

5.  Does anyone know how to work the new embed feature on Pinterest?  I don't care for the new look of Pinterest simply because now I don't know how to work it.

6.  Happy Game-of-Thrones Day!   Let's celebrate with a quote.

This business starts up again today too.

source

I'm excited.  Which one should I watch first?

Happy Sunday!

Homemade Peanut Butter...and TSwift

I might very well be the only person who wasn't excited last Tuesday.

You know.  The "OH-em-GEE!  TSwift's album is dropping todaaaaayyyy!" day.

It's called RED, by the way.  But I'm guessing that if you own a t.v., a Facebook page, or a radio, you already know this.

Source: polyvore.com via Abby on Pinterest

I don't have a problem with TSwift, per say.  She presents herself very well and is quite articulate about the fact that she uses every relationship she's ever had as a song-writing opportunity.  I've always wondered how many songs she gets out of each relationship.  Like, what's the ratio?  You know, I had quite a few crappy relationships too.  If only I could write about them so unabashedly.  People would probably just be like, "Get over yourself".  Why doesn't anyone say this to her?  This article from Thought Catalog articulates my thoughts pretty well.

Plus, she goes after a douche-canoe like John Mayer and expects to change him?  Uh, no.  Better women, like Jennifer Aniston, have tried that already.  That was a lesson to all of us:  If Rachel-freaking-Green can't change a man, neither can you.

Anyway.  I'm just picking on her.  I don't like Carrie either.  For entirely different reasons.

What have I been listening to?

Night Train, my friends.

Jason Aldean.  The country singer...who raps about Joe Diffie.

Anywho.  I got it in my head to make homemade almond butter last week.

I went to Fred Meyer only to discover that they were pretty much out of almonds in the bulk bins.  But dry-roasted peanuts were on sale.  (They probably didn't have time to restock the almonds because they were busy restocking copies of RED.)

So I took home my giant bag 'o peanuts, really just thinking about how lovely they would taste drenched in ice cream and hot fudge...

But I stayed on the straight-and-narrow and used them to make peanut butter.  It was ridiculously easy.

In a food processor, process 3 cups of dry-roasted peanuts.  After about 5 minutes, they will be smooth and creamy.  Add in 1/2 t. salt and then 1 T. honey.  The honey doesn't really make it sweet, just gives it some depth.  Store in an airtight container (like a pretty mason jar) in the fridge.
I know that natural peanut butter often separates, but this, after 24 hours in the fridge, hadn't separated at all.  I was impressed.

Insta-Tuesday and Sugary Sounds

Today, I'm joining in on a new link-up with Jane at Taingamala.

I thought of doing it last week, but I've been pretty Instagram-illiterate.

Jane was kind enough to help me out!

My Instagram handle is kedarhower.  If anyone can tell me how to get that on my sidebar, I'd much appreciate it!

(Told you.  Practically illiterate.)

My mother mailed me my tiara.  If my Sookie Stackhouse idea for Halloween doesn't pan out, I'll just be a princess.  Clever, I know.  

Just like being a teacher equals "ability to buy school supplies without consequence", being a fitness instructor equals "ability to buy colorful sneakers with consequence".

The token "look how expensive this is" sign

I was all set to order my "bee" decorations for the classroom, and then:  I saw the neon owls.

I really like stir fry but I hate that the packaged mixes include so much darn broccoli.   I ate about half of this bowl and then...

I got an ice cream maker.

Would you believe that I had to eat 2 extra bowls of ice cream just to get the pictures...?

 Peanut Butter Chocolate Cheesecake Ice Cream

 Peppermint Patty Ice Cream
Both are highly recommended.

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I'm also linking up to Sugary Sounds @Adventure of E.

I had forgotten how much I liked this song until I heard it on The Hangover II the other night. 

Flo Rida "Turn Around Part II" 

Who's ready for The Hangover III??  ME!

We saw the first movie in Missouri and the second one in Alaska.  (There's a sentence you never think you'll say...)  

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Bradley Cooper:  Inspiring teachers since 2009

Also sharing at the GFC Hop!

 

Sunday Social and Sunday Funnies 6/24

This week's Sunday Social was tough.  It took me awhile to come up with this stuff.  As in, I thought about it everyday this week at least a little bit.  Clearly, I need a job. 

What is your all-time favorite song?

 I have a soft spot for the songs that were popular in 2008.  That was a big year for me.   Graduating college, meeting Scott, getting ready to get engaged, etc.  
To me, music ties directly to memories.  I have too many good memories to pick one favorite.
And clearly, I can't even answer a simple question.

What is your favorite singer/band?
I'm, by nature, a country music person.  I talked about that here and here.
I also like Maroon 5 ("Payphone" had me in tears yesterday.  Weird.), The Spill Canvas, and I listened to Taking Back Sunday all the way through college. 
 Scott introduced me to Brand New.  He knew I was a Taking Back Sunday fan*, but was surprised I'd never heard of Brand New.
I listened to this song pretty obsessively for awhile.  Scott played it for me on our first date.

This was my favorite song to run to (back in 2008 when I thought people could re-train themselves to run).

What is your theme song/song that best describes your life?
This may make me sound like a total lush:  Blake Shelton's "Drink on It".  If I think back, I spent a lot of great nights sitting in bar stools.  Whether it was with friends in college, co-workers, or, eventually, Scott.  Granted, I was often also behind the bar, but some of those nights were pretty great too.  So while I think it's really difficult to pick a song to define the entire span of your life, this one fits pretty well for my early twenties.
Sorry, mom.

What is your favorite road-trip music?
I'd say country music.  But I've also been known to listen to Brand New for 3 hours in the car.  One time Scott asked me to turn it off.  So who's to say?

What songs put you in a good mood?
Lately, it's been "Tell Me How You Like It" by Florida Georgia Line.  It's the country boy thing.

What song are you embarrassed to admit that you love?

I love the "Cupid Shuffle".  LOVE IT.  Anytime, anywhere.

 

*Funny story about that:  Scott went to a TBS concert that I had wanted to go to in college.  I couldn't make it work because it was a school night and I was student-teaching and we had an evening class or something.  His then-girlfriend stood him up and he was left with an extra ticket.  Clearly she was indeed as retardly ridiculous as she sounds.

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Linking up to Kara's Sunday Funnies!

Few things freak me out as much as stuck rings

I saw this and thought, "Good Lord, cousins can marry in Alaska.  Now it makes sense."  Then I thought, "If Alaska was really where they have it on the map, I'd be a much happier individual."

Yes, Dwight.  We do.

It's not so much that you're having a wedding.  It's that you're having 7 showers and 4 bachelorette parties.  Super duper.

And, the weekly KStew bashing...

I work really hard looking for inventive KStew stuff on Pinterest.  It's, like, a summertime job.