Standing Tall, on the Wings of My Dreams

    Every so often something we see or do triggers a long forgotten memory.  A couple months ago a co-worker and I were discussing favorite things from our childhood and TV shows came up.  Thinking mainly of kids programs/nickelodeon shows I watched during my younger years, I suddenly thought of one of my most loved shows ever-Perfect Strangers.  This show is best known as one of the most popular shows on ABC's original TGIF line up.  Perfect Strangers is about two cousins, Balki and Larry.  Larry comes from a large family and moves to Chicago to pursue a career in photo journalism.  Not long after his arrival, his cousin Balki literally turns up on his door step.  Balki is a professional sheepherder and has come all the way from the small Greek isle of Mypos to be in the land of his dreams.  The series is about the two of them getting to know each other and the adventures they have along the way.  
   I was afraid that when I went to watch it it would not be as funny as I remembered.  Completely the opposite.  I watched a few episodes last night and enjoyed myself so much.  It was even better than I had remembered.  You can find Perfect Strangers for rent on Netflix or available here.

Maru

Because sometimes everyone needs a little extra cute in their life.

Chickpea Brownies...A.K.A...Chocolate Ninja Protein

So I'm trying to incorporate more protein into my life, however I have an incurable love of sweets.  While one could argue that chocolate chip cookies ARE made with eggs, I really need to do better than that.  A few months back I attempted to make a chickpea (garbanzo bean) chocolate cake.  It was pretty good, but it was lacking the flavor I wanted.  I did some googling and tweaking and this is the finished product.  Let me preface this by saying that I am not one of those people with a high tolerance for odd tasting "healthy deserts."  If it doesn't taste good, I'm not going to eat it.  While these are not the exact same as traditional brownies, they definitely help out when you need a chocolate fix.


Ingredients:

1 can chickpeas (approx 14 oz-Drained)
3 eggs
3 Tablespoons vegetable oil or your oil of choice (Olive, Coconut, etc.)
1/3 Cup cocoa powder (I used Hershey's Special Dark)
1 1/8 cup white sugar
1 Teaspoon salt
1 Teaspoon baking powder
2 Teaspoon vanilla extract
1 Tablespoon instant coffee
Optional add ins: Chocolate chips, chopped nuts, shredded coconut, or omit coffee and add some peanut butter.

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Grease 8x8 pan.  Mix all ingredients together in a blender and blend until very smooth.  Or mix together in a mixing bowl and use an immersion blender and blend until smooth.  Pour batter into pan and bake for approx 35 minutes, until it puffs up a bit and the edges become dry and pull away from the sides of the pan.

"Friday Flix" - Say Anything

   So do to another unexpected Friday Fail, the Flix are a bit late.  However, I am pleased to announce that your Friday Flix selection is Say Anything.  If you have been reading this blog for a while, you may already know of my affection for Lloyd Dobler.  Say Anything is one of the best movie romances ever.  The "pretty girl falls for the underdog" story has been done many many times, but in this film you actually believe it.
   The film begins right after high school graduation.  Lloyd (played by John Cusack) is seen as painfully average by pretty much everyone, save his three best friends.  He is an aspiring kick boxer and lives with his sister (played by Joan Cusack) and her son.  Lloyd is also hopelessly in love with the lovely valedictorian Diane Cort...even if he's only talked to her once.  Diane agrees to go to a party with Lloyd and through out the course of the evening (and the summer) they both learn more than either anticipated.
   I am a big fan of Cameron Crowe and this film is his directorial debut.  He has since made many other films that you will no doubt hear me talking about at another time, but this is still one of my favorites.  Crowe's use of music in his films is flawless.  Lloyd holding up his boombox outside Diane's window and playing Peter Gabrial's "In Your Eyes" is one of the most iconic scenes of the 80's.  Keep an eye out for cameos from Jeremy Piven and Don "The Dragon" Wilson.  This film has honesty, feeling and heart without the melodrama so often imbued in high school films.  It also happens to be one of the most quotable movies ever.  Watch it.  I'm not going to guarantee you'll love it, just that you should.

Raw Honey Face Mask

Photo Courtesy of www.benefits-of-honey.com

I don't know about you, but winter hasn't done my skin any favors.  Just when you think you are recovering from the icy wind, the crazy temperature changes kick in.  Booooo.  If you are looking for an in expensive yet effective remedy for unhappy skin, try a raw honey face mask!  Honey has natural anti-bacterial properties as well as being a great moisturizer.  Raw honey has not been heated or filtered so the vitamins and antioxidants present in nature are preserved.  You may find bits of honeycomb, wax, etc. that form a cap over the honey.  Unlike "regular" honey, raw honey has a thick, spreadable consistency.   You can find raw honey in a natural foods store or in some regular grocery stores in the honey section.  Making this mask is super simple, all you need is a jar of raw honey.  I personally used Really Raw Honey, but I am sure any other brand would be fine.

Warning-If you are allergic to bees, honey, or anything close, don't use this mask.

Directions:

1-Pull your hair back.  If you have very short hair, I would recommend using a headband to get it away from your face.

2-Scoop out a generous teaspoon of raw honey and spread it onto your face, avoiding the eye area.  I even put it on my lips.

3-Let the mask sit for at least 15 minutes. I usually leave it on for 30+ minutes.  Whenever I use a mask of any kind, my nose seems to itch, so if you can tolerate having goo on your face for an hour, more power to you.

4-Rinse off with lukewarm water, using a washcloth to assist if necessary.

5-Admire your soft, glowy skin.

When It Rains It Pours...Or...Best Umbrellas For Spring

Lets face it, it's spring and spring means rain.  We'd best be prepared...and I say this because I am usually not.  Since we have been over The best trenches, let's take a look at some umbrellas to improve your spring time experience.

Bella Pagoda

Marimekko Omena

Davek Travel

Blade Runner Umbrella

Totes Bubble

Goody Spin Pin Review

Ok, so I saw these at the store today and picked up a set.  Actually I got the mini ones, but I couldn't find a picture of those.  Anyway, the basic premise is that rather than a straight bobby pin, you twist these into your hair in order to hold it more effectively.  I tried them out and I'm a fan.  My hair is barely shoulder length but I can keep it up with the 3 mini twist pins, or half up with just 1.   I believe the pins were about $5 and I'd say it was a good purchase, especially with summer coming up.  Have you tried them?  Let me know what you think!

For Anyone Who Has Ever Had a Pet They Loved...

The amazing Jimmy Stewart reading a poem he wrote about his dog, Beau.  Many thanks to my parents for letting me know about this video.  Caution-you may want to grab a tissue before watching this.

Indianapolis Amy

Many thanks to the awesome Indianapolis Amy for the opportunity to guest blog.  Click here to see my DIY for an Irish Rose headband just in time for St. Patrick's Day.

Tiger Blood

I saw this picture and could not help but laugh.  I'm a big fan of Baxter's work-he's insanely creative and a Hoosier to boot.  Check out some more of his work at BaxterOrr.com

Jelly Shoes

So I saw some of these the other day at the store and got really excited.  When I was a kid I loved my jelly shoes so much.  So I tried on the shoes in the store...they were nothing like I remembered.  They poked, they hurt, they lacked the 80's magic of my other pairs.  Does anyone know if they still make jelly shoes that are actually wearable?

Photo courtesy of Bestofthe80s

DIY update, etc.

So last month I signed up for Nablopomo and successfully posted every day.  Granted I did sign up on the shortest month of the year, but none the less, it has been a fun little adventure and I plan on doing it again this month.  In other news, I have my shoes to modify and I'm just waiting on my Outdoor Mod Podge to arrive in the mail because I am just dying to make them.  Also, an update to the DIY Pet Bed...It has been Cat Tested and Cat Approved.