Netflix Stars - Love & Other Drugs

3/5 - I didn't know this was a true story! Now you do, too. It was a pretty good movie though some scenes were a little bit "over-exposed" -- I'm not a prude by any means, but really now?! Someone had said that Anne Hathaway doesn't have that chemistry with her male co-stars and this is also the case here. Both she and Jake can act OK and are easy on the eyes, but I didn't see the sparks fly between them.

Sandra Betzina's Fashion Forecast - Spring/Summer 2011

Hooray! Here's Sandra's 2011 Spring/Summer Fashion Forecast! I predict lots of fun and easy and fashionable sewing.

Not an April Fool -- THIS IS MY 2,000th POST!

Thanks for coming along for the ride!

Upcoming Jo-Ann's Pattern Sales

Daffodil Dash - April 10/16 Vogue Patterns - $3.99 Pre-Easter Sale - April 21/23 Simplicity - $1.99 50% off buttons

Thursday Tea Time

This week - Stash Peach Black Tea

Cost: $1.89 at Super Target

Number of teabags: 20

Caffeine: Yes

Type of tea: Black

Steeping time: 3-5 minutes

Mix ins: Just a little fat-free condensed milk, and also tried 1 teaspoonful of Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf's Fat Free, No Sugar Added Vanilla Powder. Both made it pretty darn close to Bluebell's Peaches and Cream ice cream!

Teabag fragrance: Very peachy!

Ingredients: Black tea and peach flavor

Opinion: Peachy-keen! Interesting hot, being so fruity. I'm betting this will be a perfect cooler as iced tea in the near soon future when the summer temperatures kick in.

Rating: 4

Time is a material in which are lives are mysteriously contained...

The rest of the quote follows -- ...the material in which we are wrapped for the time being, at least." This was from an article about the fabric of a life about artists Jeanne-Claude and Christo by Meghan O'Rourke in the April 2001 WSJ Magazine. Incredible article - here's the link so you can also be moved, too. "Christo Without Jeanne-Claude"

Cosmos!

I have planted three varieties of Cosmos this Spring --

This is "Double Click" It is supposed to grow 3 to 4 feet tall!

Surprisingly, it is the shortest of the three right now.

On the right is "Daydream" It is good for a shaded garden and will top out at 15"-18"

And "Sonata" - a mix of colors for sun/part sun - will be 20"-24" tall

All are from Another Place in Time

Sorry, y'all!

I have to put my comments on moderate for awhile. My blog is being attacked by comment spammers. Please feel free to still share your opinions and thoughts, I love to hear from you -- there will just be a slight delay in their being posted to the blog.

Netflix Stars - Inside Man

1.5 - Only because it was a bank heist with a twist. Points only for that. I've had this movie home since November -- that should say something right there. We finally go around to watching it, and we should have just sent it back, unwatched. The movie was hard to follow, it had too much going on without any depth - very ADD-ish. Despite the star power, the potential electricity went unused. Clive Owen can definitely play creepy, though.

Today's Favorite iPod Workout Song

Santana, Featuring Michelle Branch - "I'm Feeling You" - 4:31

The Midas Touch

Yes, it's name really is "Midas Touch" but it is otherwise known here as "Rosezilla" Towering over 8 feet tall, this four year old hybrid tea is just blooming gangbusters. I like this picture because it features the blooms in all stages.

Thursday Tea Time

This week - Kroger Private Selection Pomegranate White Tea

Cost: $1.89 on "sale" at Kroger, regularly $1.99

Number of teabags: 20
Caffeine: Maybe just a little since it is a white tea
Type of tea: White, herbal
Steeping time: 2 minutes
Mix ins: Just a little fat-free condensed milk

Teabag fragrance: Fruity
Ingredients: White tea, hibiscus, natural flavors, lemon grass, dried pomegranate

Opinion: Delicate tea buds from China with pomegranate, lemon grass and African hibiscus combine for a sweet and unique blend. Kudos to Kroger for making a unique store brand tea. Nice packaging, and you can't beat the price! The flavor is really good, too.

But the color?! Just don't look while you are drinking! It's hard to describe - "wet cement"? "taupe"? "mortar"? "disgusting"? Truly, especially when you add milk. When I first dipped the teabag in, it turned a bright pink, quickly overtaken by dark black-gray. I could still see a very slight pinkish tinge. OK, I'm thinking this is going to look really pretty when I add a little bit of milk. NO! I took two pictures of it, one under artificial light, the other with daylight only - no flash either time. Judge for yourself. I bet it would have made an excellent iced tea - maybe some flowers or jazzy ice cubes could make it appear better. I took another quick look at what was left in the mug and laughed. Still gray! This is a homely-looking, but good tasting tea!

I must add I did not follow the "Prepare" instructions, which were to bring cold water to a rolling boil, let cool 7 minutes and then steep 1-2 minutes. Maybe that 7 minute cool down keeps the color pretty?

Rating: 3 - dinged only for the color

Today's Favorite iPod Workout Song

The Offspring - "Come Out and Play" - 3:17
Crazy lyrics, great tempo changes!

Today's Favorite iPod Workout Song

Coldplay - "Clocks" - 5:07
Got in an early morning swim (6:45!) - chasing the moon and awaiting the sun!

Happy Birthday, William Shatner!

(And to me!)

Moeller's Bakery has the BEST carrot cakes!!

Upcoming Jo-Ann's Pattern Sales

Sew & Save - March 20/26
Buttons - BIGIF

3-Day Sale - March 25/27
Butterick patterns - $1.99

March 31/April 2
Simplicity patterns - 99 cents

Today's Favorite iPod Workout Song

Into the way-back time machine --
Cat Stevens - "I Think I See the Light" - 3:55

This is actually a pretty good song to swim to, lots of good tempo beat changes. Though startling to listen to it so clearly in the iPod, instead of hearing all the pops and hisses on the record player (didn't have a stereo back in the day!) from my over-played, worn-out Mona Bone Jakon album. And how bizarre the other song lyrics that I so loved back then sound now! LOL

Penzeys $5 off Coupon

What a way to celebrate 25 years of Penzeys with their Spring 2011 catalog! The coupon was attached to their catalog (sign up here) Or use this code 00002C when ordering online or by telephone. Coupon expires May 29, 2011.

Bonus this catalog contains 8 recipes for "birthday" cakes -- Italian Cream Cake, Crazy Chocolate Cake, Birthday Spice Cake, Bonnie Butter Cake with Caramel Icing, Gram's Banana Cake (the cover shot), Great White Pound Cake, 4 Egg White Cake and Why-Plant-Yellow-Beets-In-Your-Garden Cake!

Netflix Stars - Flipped

5 STARS!!! What a wonderful, touching movie! My husband caught the last 10 minutes while L and I were watching, and I was willing to turn right around and start it over again to see it with him. How many movies have you ever done that with? And it just proves again that anything done by Rob Reiner is cine magic. Listen and watch for this great line - "Some of us get dipped in flat, some in satin, some in gloss; but every once in awhile you find someone who's iridescent...And when you do, nothing will ever compare." I love how the story point of view also "flips" between Bryce and Juli! And I so love a great love story. . .

I have spent my life weaving the rainbow, treating light like a piece of embroidery

"I have spent my life weaving the rainbow, treating light like a piece of embroidery"
- Claude Monet

I saw the Impressionists and Post Impressionists exhibit at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston (MFAH) yesterday. (I also thought it was neat that their admission stickers we wore were green for St. Patrick's Day!) This quote was in the description next to Monet's "The Artist's Garden at Vetheuil" A perfect match for the potrait of his son, Michel, amongst the oh-so-colorful rows of sunflowers and gladioli in the sunlight.

If you live in the Houston area or plan to visit, you really need to check out this collection of 50 masterpieces from the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC. It is here through May 23, 2011. Expect a crowd, especially on Thursdays since there is a $5 discount courtesy of Shell Oil Company. Reserve your timed-entry ticket online at http://www.mfah.org/ Ticket prices are free for MFAH members, $20 Adults, $15 Children 6-18, students and Seniors 65+.

Hours are:
Tuesday-Wednesday 10:30 AM -5 PM,
Thursday 10:30 AM -9 PM,
Friday-Saturday 10:30 AM - 7 PM,
Sunday 12:30 PM - 7 PM

Thursday Tea Time

This week - Numi Moroccan Mint - Simply Mint

Cost: $5.49 at Randalls, $5.99 at Whole Foods Market

($3.99 on sale and with $1 coupon)

Number of teabags: 18

Caffeine: No

Type of tea: Herbal Mint Teasan

Steeping time: 5-6 minutes

Mix ins: Just a little fat-free condensed milk and 1 teaspoonful of Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf's Special Fat Free, No Sugar Added Dutch Chocolate Powder. A Girl Scout Thin Mint cookie in a cup!

Teabag fragrance: Spearmint

Ingredients: Organic Moroccan Mint

Opinion: Did I really need another Moroccan Mint tea, especially after Stash Tea's Moroccan Mint? Yes! (I really need to get into a self-help program.) The Numi "Simply Mint" is just that - only Moroccan Mint. Stash's is a green tea blend of spearmint and peppermint and lemongrass. I will use both equally, depending on what's left at home and what's on sale. I do give a slight edge to Numi's - it's just a tad more smoother and finished.

Rating: 4.50

Netflix Stars - Morning Glory

3.5 stars. Great ensemble cast, all playing well off of each other -- Rachel McAdams, Harrison Ford, Diane Keaton, Jeff Goldblum, Patrick Wilson, Ty Burrell. . . A little draggy sometimes, but I really enjoyed the wrap-up ending. I also thought there was something wrong with the DVD player in the beginning, to the point of distraction trying to follow the conversation. Just be forewarned.

Today's Favorite iPod Workout Song

Jamiroquai - "Virtual Insanity" - 5:40

Netflix Stars - Knight and Day

3.75 - This was a cute movie, just play along and suspend disbelief and you'll have a good time watching this action-comedy. (I'm not a huge Tom Cruise fan, but gah! He looks, uh, clearing throat, really good here.) It's also nice to see movies pairing people close to each other's age and good casting chemistry.

There's always a third option!

Thank you, Neatorama! You guys always make me smile!

Thursday Tea Time

This week - Stash Decaf Vanilla Nut Creme Tea

Cost: $2.19 at Target, $2.99 at Whole Foods Market
Number of teabags: 18
Caffeine: No
Type of tea: Black
Steeping time: 4 minutes
Mix ins: Fat-free condensed milk Next time I may add a dash of cinnamon, too.
Teabag fragrance: Vanilla
Ingredients: Naturally decaffeinated black teas, vanilla nut flavor, sarsaparilla and vanilla flavor.
Opinion: Hmm, I seem to be on a vanilla kick! And this one has a different twist with a slightly can't-describe-which-nut nutty flavor combo. Since it is decaf, it makes a great dessert tea or any time of day tea when craving something sweet.

Rating: 4.25

Today's Favorite iPod Workout Song

The Decemberists - "Don't Carry It All" - 4:17

All three of these songs are perfectly timed for early/mid point swimming cadence workout!
From their "The King Is Dead" CD on iTunes/Amazon. I heard them at Starbucks and Googled the lyrics.

Today's Favorite iPod Workout Song

The Decemberists - "All Arise" - 3:09

Today's Favorite iPod Workout Song

The Decemberists - "Down By The Water" - 3:41

Netflix Stars - Carolina

A strong 3.5, closing in on a 4! Very quirky and fun to watch rom-com. I really enjoyed the performances of Shirley MacLaine and Julia Stiles. Netflix is back on its recommendations A-game.

Next Step!

Pedicure with OPI's Texas Collection - "Don't Mess with OPI!" Actually I'm really liking this wearing o' the green.

And I no longer surprise the neighbors anymore -- Me out front with my foot on the brick pillar and taking a picture? Yawn!

Thursday Tea Time

This week - Numi Indian Night Decaf Black Vanilla

Cost: $4.99 at Randalls and Whole Foods Market

Number of teabags: 16

Caffeine: No

Type of tea: Black

Steeping time: 5 minutes

Mix ins: Fat-free condensed milk

Teabag fragrance: Vanilla

Ingredients: Organic Fatikcherra Estate decaf black tea and organic vanilla beans.

Opinion: This is a great tea, I've already bought my second box. Whole Foods had a $1 off coupon and so did the box. Points to the clerk at WF by taking both of them without my even asking! It has a very strong and sweet vanilla flavor and is not at all bitter as some black teas can be. Very smooth. I like the fact it is decaf, so I can have it instead of a dessert after dinner.

Rating: 4

Step 2 - Change out Santa cap for green bowler hat on Halloween pumpkin!

Rename pumpkin "Seamus" Check!

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St. Patrick's Day Preparation

Step 1 - French manicure with green glitter tips!
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Today's Favorite iPod Workout Song

Adele - "Rolling in the Deep" - 3:48
Great song, great beat -- perfect for swimming and the treadmill, too.
I had to go to two Targets, one twice - late Saturday night on the chance they restocked (they did!) to get their special edition with the four extra tracks on sale for $9.99. So worth the effort!

Thursday Tea Time

This week - Stash Pomegranate Raspberry Green Tea



Cost: $2.19 at Super Target
Number of teabags: 18
Caffeine: ? Probably just a little
Type of tea: Green
Steeping time: 3-5 minutes
Mix ins: Fat-free condensed milk
Teabag fragrance: Fruity
Ingredients: Green tea, chamomile, hibiscus, orange peel*, citric acid, pomegranate flavor, raspberry flavor and Japanese Matcha
*Oops, didn't expect the orange peel. Took the chance and I paid for that with a headache the next day.
Opinion: I thought a tea with pomegranate and raspberry would be higher up in the ingredients list and perhaps have bits of dried fruit instead of just "flavor." I was disappointed. I couldn't really detect a strong "flavor" from either fruit,which I was hoping I would. Just an odd fruit blend fragrance and taste.
Rating: 1, only because it is an interesting variation of a green tea -- A point for trying. It just didn't appeal to me.

Today's Favorite iPod Workout Song

He is We - "Happily Ever After" - 4:04
A cute, bouncy song, which is currently free on iTunes through today.
And another great swimming song!
(I will be so glad when my regular pool is renovated and open again. They've made arrangements for us to use another pool, and this one is still taking some getting used to. One lane end is 7 1/2 feet deep, the other 4 foot, and seems to be a little bit shorter. I've clunked my head, scraped my arms...)

Yee-Haw! OPI TEXAS Nail Polishes are here!

And just in time for the Houston Rodeo!

Ulta is carrying the line - $8.50 each.

Word is the most popular colors so far are the orange "Y'all Come Back Ya Hear", the hot pink "Guy Meets Gal-veston" and the chocolate brown "Suzi Loves Cowboys" My vote for cutest name, the violet "Do You Think I'm Tex-y?"

Thursday Tea Time

This week - Yogi Chai Green Tea

Cost: $2.99 at Super Target and Whole Foods Market
Number of teabags: 16
Caffeine: Yes, 35mg
Type of tea: Green
Steeping time: 3 minutes
Mix ins: Fat-free condensed milk
Teabag fragrance: Ginger and cardamon
Ingredients: Organic green tea, organic ginger root, organic cardamon seed, organic cinnamon bark, stevia leaf, organic clove bud, organic black pepper, natural cinnamon, cardamon and ginger oils.

Opinion: This chai tea is dominated more by the ginger. The cinnamon and clove are back notes. I didn't taste the pepper and was even surprised to see it listed as I was typing this review. It had a nice kick, which I attributed to the clove and cardamon. If you are looking for a gingery green chai tea, this is the one for you to try. Added bonus it is organic, too. I also liked how each tea bag has a different "fortune" on the paper tag. I was able to save three so far -- "Nature is a give, a true friend and sustainer"..."May your light become a living universal light"..."We are spiritual beings having a human experience" Makes me want to open and drink more!

Rating: 4.25

Happy Valentine's Day!

Today's Favorite iPod Workout Song

Guster - "Do You Love Me?" - 3:40
With a perfect swim stroke beat and timing to hit your turn flips. . .
This song just grows on you. And the video is super cute!

Upcoming Jo-Ann's Pattern Sales

Presidents' Sale - February 18-21
5 for $5 Simplicity
50% off interfacing by the yard
BIGIF buttons

Frosty cold and misty morning outside Luling, Texas

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Treeline just past Lockhart, Texas

Home of best BBQ and links - Kreutz
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Texas sunrise through mistletoe'd trees

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Listen to the exhortation of the dawn!

This morning's sunrise in Central Texas
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Thursday Tea Time

This week - Stash Organic Chai Black & Green Tea

Cost: $3.99 at Randall's and Whole Foods Market

Number of teabags: 18

Caffeine: Yes

Type of tea: Black and green

Steeping time: 5 minutes

Mix ins: Fat-free condensed milk

Teabag fragrance: Cinnamon!

Ingredients: Organic black tea, organic green tea, organic cardamom, organic ginger, organic cinnamon, organic clove, organic cinnamon oil and organic clove oil.

Opinion: A different take on chai tea with the combination of black and green teas. You get the benefit of both with a great cinnamon taste and a chai bite. While the cinnamon is strong, it is balanced by the ginger and then the clove. Surprisingly, cardamom is listed first, yet I don't really detect it. I like the fact it is organic, but because it is, Stash tends to lower the teabag count to 18 and raise the price for the privilege.

Rating: 4

Liberty of London Target Billboard Totebag

I was one of the lucky ones to get in on Target.com last March to reserve my order for the Liberty of London Target billboard totebag. It is very well made, and sturdy! I'm super pleased with it. Mine is mostly from the pink and white section. It measures approximately 15" x 6" x 14". I think I got part of the Liberty "T"!

Today's Favorite iPod Workout Song

Gwen Stefani - "What You Waiting For?" - 3:41
Perfect mid-swim workout, especially when you decide to race the guy in the other lane!

Hello Kitty FTW!

Hello Kitty For The Win!!!

Puppy Bowl VII

Don't forget to tune into Animal Planet for Puppy Bowl VII tomorrow!

New this year is the "Kiss Cam". . .

Can it possibly get any more adorable?!

Ice, Ice Baby

Our ice storm shut down Houston cold. Roads, branches and leaves were iced over.

Couldn't go anywhere anyways, the doors were frozen shut!

As if I needed more help to kill my poinsettia!

Thursday Tea Time

This week - Zhena's Gypsy Rose tea

Cost: $5.29 at H.E.B.
Number of teabags: 22
Caffeine: Yes
Type of tea: Black
Steeping time: 3-5 minutes
Mix ins: Fat-free condensed milk
Teabag fragrance: Rose scented hand lotion!
Ingredients: Sri Lankan and Indian Black tea, red and pink rose petals, all natural flavor (?)
Opinion: My husband was in the kitchen with me when I took the first sip and he saw my expression and said, "You don't like it!" "It's fine," I gamely replied. "No, it's not. I can see it in your face."
I loved Numi's White Rose Velvet Garden tea, and thought for sure I'd like this one, too. Maybe because Gypsy Rose has red and pink rose petals? I dunno. It tasted like soap and smelled like that Rose Milk hand lotion from the 70's.
Rating: 0

Happy Chinese New Year!

Welcome the Year of the Rabbit! Word is if you tie three coins together with a red cord or ribbon, it will bring you prosperity. I made this little (7" x 6") bunny appliqued zippered bag to celebrate the New Year. And added a rhinestone for the eye, since someone looked at it and thought it was a seal or porpoise (wrong end!). Now his name is "Beal," (Bunny Seal) with a running joke line between two good (albeit one clueless) friends.

Today's Favorite iPod Workout Song

Married for 26 years today!!!

Barry Louis Polisar - "All I Want Is You" - 2:37

If I was a flower growing wild and free

All I'd want is you to be my sweet honey bee.

And if I was a tree growing tall and green

All I'd want is you to shade me and be my leaves

All I want is you, will you be my bride

Take me by the hand and stand by my side

All I want is you, will you stay with me?

Hold me in your arms and sway me like the sea.

If you were a river in the mountains tall,

The rumble of your water would be my call.

If you were the winter, I know I'd be the snow

Just as long as you were with me, when the cold winds blow.

All I want is you, will you be my bride

Take me by the hand and stand by my side

All I want is you, will you stay with me?

Hold me in your arms and sway me like the sea.

If you were a wink, I'd be a nod

If you were a seed, well I'd be a pod.

If you were the floor, I'd wanna be the rug

And if you were a kiss, I know I'd be a hug

All I want is you, will you be my bride

Take me by the hand and stand by my side

All I want is you, will you stay with me?

Hold me in your arms and sway me like the sea.

If you were the wood, I'd be the fire.

If you were the love, I'd be the desire.

If you were a castle, I'd be your moat,

And if you were an ocean, I'd learn to float.

All I want is you, will you be my bride

Take me by the hand and stand by my side

All I want is you, will you stay with me?

Hold me in your arms and sway me like the sea.

Half My Life

Still making me laugh even after 26 years!