Cook It Yourself

I love to go out to eat. Lately, funds have been tight and about once a week is all we have managed to spare. That means I have been cooking many things at home. In doing this I have discovered that there are some things that are just better made at home. It has actually been fun to be able to say to myself, "I don't want that any other way than the way I make that!" Here is my list of

8 Foods I Make Best At Home
1) Brownies- I have tried Fat Witch and I just like mine better. I can't put my finger on it. Maybe because its just what I am used to.

2) Lemonade- the recipe that I have for lemonade is from my mother's 1965 Better Homes and Gardens Cookbook. There are some weird recipes in there like hot dog casserole but the lemonade recipe is a gem. My brownie recipe comes from here too.

3) Ham, egg & cheese on a bagel- I think mine is better than the deli cause it is a lot less greasy. I also know that mine is made on a clean surface. I also toast my bagel before I make the sandwich thereby making it infinitely better.

4) Chicken Soup- canned soup is kind of scary. There is a ton of salt in it and the veggies are always mushy beyond belief. I don't really have a recipe for this. I just watch my former boss's wife make it a few times. The key is fresh parsley and dill thrown in right at the end.

5) Guacamole- so I can't really claim to make THE BEST guac. That is reserved for Gabriel's restaurant in Santa Fe NM. They make it table side so I learned how to do it from just watching the waiters. I still haven't tried anything that tastes the same. Even Dos Caminos guac isn't quite as good.

6) Fried Chicken- once I mastered making this, I just had no desire to eat this anywhere but home.

7) Tomato Pie- this isn't really something you see on menus out. So this is kind of a one off. This just tastes like summer and I will be making is ASAP.

8) Spaghetti, Meatballs & Sausage- my mom learned how to cook red sauce from her Polish friend who was marrying an Italian boy. One day the women of the Italian boy's family dragged her into the kitchen and showed her how to cook the family recipes. She showed my mom how to make the sauce cause my dad loves Italian-American food. My mom in turn showed me and I am so glad! With meatballs and sweet Italian sausage, this has become a great Sunday supper.

In My Head

This is probably the closest look inside my head that I will ever give freely. I have started going back to the gym at 6 AM in the morning. Yeah, I know. I don't know why I am doing it either. So to get to the gym at 6 AM I have to get up before that and I am not a morning person. I started to ask myself some questions on the train, as is my usual when I am by myself on public transportation. Here is my list of


7 Random Questions From 5:45 AM

1) Why am I doing this?
2) How did I manage to get on the only subway car that smells like hot rotting shit?
3) Does everyone really care about Naomi Campbell an d what she is wearing to her community service every day? They show her every day on the noon news. Why?
4) Should I take a nap later or will that mess up my ability to change my sleep schedule around?
5) If I was a character on The Simpsons, what would I would look like?
6) Do I get off at the front or back of the train?
7) How is it possible that I have lived in this part of Queens for 6 years and never got off at this stop before?

That Really Roasts My Nuts

I try to keep my temper in check. It is a lot of work for me to do this. It is not in my nature to be calm and easygoing. As part of my life journey, I make an effort not to swear at people every day. Besides, it sets a bad example for Thud. I am hoping that a little venting now will keep me from loosing it later. Here is my list of

3 Peoples That Really Make My Blood Boil

1) Whatever They Want To Drivers- these are the people who think traffic lights, road signs, and medians mean nothing. I once saw a driver make a U-turn through a red light. The oncoming traffic was coming off of the 59th St bridge. Oh and he was making a U-turn from the far right lane. Go ahead and just do whatever you want whenever you want to do it!

2) Really Noisy Neighbors- everybody makes noise sometimes. You can't do much about animals and kids. I know that. What I hate are the repetitive inconsiderate noise makers. Why do I have to hear your opera lesson every week? Is there some reason you are vacuuming above my head at 1:00 AM? Why do I have to listen to your screaming fights twice a week (or more sometimes) when you live on the next block? I don't want to know anything about your personal business. Please- don't make me call the police.

3) Lazy Shovelers- please explain to me why I am slipping and sliding around on the sidewalk in front of your business/office. It is Monday. It snowed on Friday. Where can I call to report your lazy ass?

Reality Altered

Now that there have been a few successful reality shows, the networks have decided flood the market with reality TV. You know what that means. There is a lot of crap out there. Some of this stuff has got to go. Now, this list started off very short but after some research (thanks for being my research assistant, Jay Bee) this list got long. Most networks have at least 1 reality show. Of course most have multiples. Here it is . . .

Note- The Fox Network has an entire channel dedicated reality programming. That has to go for sure!

12 Reality Shows That Must Go
1) The Hills
2) Maui Fever
3) I Love New York
4) Dice Undisputed
5) The Apprentice
6) Hogan Knows Best
7) Growing Up Gotti
8) Gene Simmons Family Jewels
9) Food Network Challenge
10) Ice Skating With The Stars
11) Real Housewives Of Orange County
12) Pussycat Dolls: Search For The Next Pussycat Dolls

Mmmm. . . Junk Food

I love junk food. I really do. I try very hard not to eat it anymore. It's not good for you. It makes you fat, blah, blah, blah. I was raised on junk food. I always felt sorry for those kids that got carrots or fruit in their lunches. My mom usually packed Doritos. God I love her. So having been raised by people brought up in the 50's & 60's processed foods were no big deal. Without further ado (and many apologies to Michellephant), here is my list of


20 All Time Favorite Junk Food (rules- drinks ok, fast food ok, no candy, must have little to no nutritional value)

1) Doritos- all time best junk food ever. Nacho cheese only please!

2) Funyuns- love anything onion flavor.

3) Twinkies- I tried to make a trifle with Twinkies once. It was awesome.

4) Dunkin' Donuts Jelly Doughnut- ok so all the Southern folks are freaking out right now, How could this not be Krispy Kreme? This is a childhood favorite. I was raised on Dunkin' Donuts. The jelly is the right flavor and they are rolled in granulated sugar. Yeah!

5) Big Mac- I try so hard not to eat fast food. Try as I might, every once in a while I have to have a Big Mac. So good for something so bad for you.

6) Cheetos- crunchy AND cheesy? Sign me up.

7) Little Debbie Fudge Rounds- I used to eat these at my friend Shayna's house after school while we watched Inspector Gadget. Memories. And cue Barbara Streisand.

8) BBQ Fritos- call me white trash but I adore these.

9) Original Chex Mix- you can make this stuff or buy it in a bag. So much easier to buy it in a bag.

10) Nutter Butters- they are shaped like little peanuts! Did I mention they are yummy?

11) E.L. Fudge Sandwich Cookies- I am talking about the vanilla cookies that are shaped like elves and filled with fudge. C'mon. That description makes you want one, doesn't it?

12) Tostitos Natural Yellow Corn Tortilla Chips- these are the best tortilla chips on the market. Don't mind the natural on the label. They are still fried salty goodness!

13) Ruffles Natural Sea Salt Potato Chips- I am not a huge potato chip person. When I tell you I can eat an entire bag, know that this makes these the best potato chips ever!

14) Snyder's Honey Mustard and Onion Nibblers- pretzels are fairly healthy on the junk food scale. Anything with this flavor combo is winner.

15) Slim Jim's- I am one of those people who will grab a Slim Jim if it is sitting at a convenience store register. Whatever you do, don't squeeze a Slim Jim. If you do, you won't ever eat one again.

16) Slurpees- Only Coke flavored slurpees for me. I always get these when I go back to Florida.

17) Strawberry Frosted Pop Tarts- the perfect sugar rush for the morning!

18) Coca-Cola- If I could drink Coke all day I would. My stomach doesn't let me in my old age.

19) Oreos- a classic- the little black dress of junk food if you will. Who doesn't like Oreos?

20) Lay's BBQ Potato Chips- this was what I would eat on Saturday nights when I was a kid. I used to stay up and watch comedy on HBO and SNL after everyone else had gone to bed. Lays BBQ and funny just go together for me.

Kiddie Cinema

Every once in a while, a movie comes on TV and I just can't wait until my kid is old enough to watch it. I love movies and I want to share them with the little ones. I have a little while to wait so I thought I'd share with you. Here is my list of

8 Great Movies From My Childhood
1) Goonies- isn't this on everyone's list? From the treasure to the cool "water slides" to the bad guys, it just doesn't get any better than this.

2) Return Of The Jedi- from the Ewoks to the revelation of what Darth Vader looked like under that scary mask, this is a must.

3) Revenge Of The Nerds- my parents let us watch anything so I saw this at like 7 years old. So inappropriate but soooooo funny.

4) Willy Wonka And The Chocolate Factory- way better than that POS they put out a few years ago with Johnny Depp. The music and Gene Wilder make this the classic that it is.

5) Labyrinth- can this be the same Jennifer Connelly from Requiem For A Dream? It is and David Bowie is a great bad guy. The puppetry is from Jim Henson so it is just a great flick all around!

6) The Princess Bride- a great love story made palatable for kids? Inconceivable!

7) The Parent Trap- Not the one with La Lohan. The 1963 original with Hailey Mills. It is awesome. Of course there is music involved. I wish I could find this somewhere on DVD.

8) The Pirate Movie- if I had seen this as an adult, I would have hated it. It is cheesy and silly but as a kid that totally appealed to me. I also got a small dose of culture with this one because this is a take off of The Pirates Of Penzance.

We have needs too

No, no its not that. And its not those kind of needs. Sorry to disappoint. I was talking about my neighborhood. We are lacking some essentials. Let's discuss

5 Things Needed In The Hood
1) Grocery Store- we have a C Town. Trust me that does NOT count. It is the smelliest dirtiest grocery store I have ever been in. Please give me another option!

2) A Library- I signed a petition for this on my way into voting this fall. As far as I am concerned, this one can't happen fast enough.

3) Bakery- All the bakeries near us are commercial bakeries. That means I get tortured by the smell every day of butter and sugar, knowing there is no place to go and buy what I smell. Just mean if you ask me.

4) Drug Store/ Hardware Store- Sometimes you just need small things for your everyday life. For the love of God, please come soon Duane Reade!

5) Indoor Space for People With Kids- this used to exist at a local coffee house. The owners had kids and the space was large and open so they could move around. Then the building they were in was sold to be turned into condos. The new coffee shop is NOT kid friendly. What a bummer.

Get To Know #2

Back in December, I did the first version of this list and now it is time for an update.

6 Things I Am Into

1) Anything Elmo- This is not by my choice. Thud is really into Elmo and by default so am I. At least I think Elmo is cute. It could be worse. It could be Barney or Bratz.

2) Fairway Market Salsa- In general, I am obsessed with Fairway. It is the best grocery store in New York City. I wish they would put one in Queens so I don't have to go all the way to Red Hook. Anyhow, last month when I was there they had samples of their salsa out. It is the BEST salsa I have ever had. Now I but a container of it every time we go. I wish they made it in a bigger size!

3) Lily Allen- I know I am way behind on this one. She has been the musical guest on SNL and Vinyl Edition reviewed her CD like a year ago.But I am really getting into this girl's music. It is witty and fun and has just a bit of ska influence. That is always a big plus in my house.

4) Facebook- This site kicks Myspace's ass. The format and layout is far superior. I just wish more people were on it that I know. I also wish I wasn't the oldest person on Facebook.

5) Perez Hilton- I read this gossip site at least once a day. Sometimes it is more. OK- I just confessed my dirtiest secret. I feel better. It is just a fun, silly site and if you are intersted at all in celebs, it will keep you up to date.

6) 5 People Who Died During Sex And 100 Other Terribly Tasteless Lists by Karl Shaw- This is the book I am currently reading. Not only is it very funny but it is also fact filled. Since I love weird trivia and lists it is the perfect book for me. I am also hoping it will inspire some creative listing from yours truly.