Happy Valentine's Day

I wanted to post something snarky & sarcastic but I was disappointed by how few snarky & sarcastic Valentine's Day quotes, poems or cartoons are out there. Shocked? I know, me too....

So instead I'm going in a completely different direction. Here are some really lovely vintage Valentines that I think are beautiful, fun and would make any girl swoon!

Hope you have a lovely day surrounded by those you most love!

Hugs and Kisses,
Ouiser

Johnny Depp & Rob Pattinson ~ Hello March Madness!

So I don't want to go all fangirly on everyone out there so I'm going to get this out early... Squuueeeeel! March is going to be like totally awesome.

Okay, so if you're old (like me) you might think of Johnny Depp more like this than like this but both young and old can agree that he's hot. And the whole cool-shyguy-livinginaforeigncountry- thing isn't exactly a turn off either.

As you already know from reading this, New Moon is being released on March 20th. Have you pre-ordered your copy? It's not too late! 

But March will also see the release of Tim Burton's latest creep-ilicious retelling of a childhood classic. This time he's taken Alice in Wonderland, swirling it into his already bizarre mind and I can't wait to see it! 

Here's the trailer, take a peek. Apparently this was aired during the super bowl but I must have missed it cause I don't remember seeing it.

"I love a warm pig belly for my aching feet" Great stuff, right?! 

It hits theaters on March 5th and I'm definitely requesting this as my movie pick for my next date night with DH. Yep, dinner and a movie *sans kiddos* is a BIG night out for us these days. You know... cause we're old, I already told you that. Geesh. 

Happy Drooling!

Cheers, 

Ouiser 

I Don't Want to Write This & I Have Nothing to Say

I want to be upfront and clear from the beginning~ If you are looking for something insightful from today's post outclick now. That's right, I've got nothing worthwhile or interesting to share today.


Okay, with that off my chest I can continue. I swear I really did try my darndest to come up with a fun idea for today's post. But I got nothing and so I'm going to blame the kids.... again. Both of of my little ones are in diapers and they eat and poop A LOT. Wait, maybe if I feed them less they'll poop less? I kid I kid, sort of.


I really really wanted to write a book review, especially considering I've read four books in the last two weeks. Sadly I haven't liked any of them enough to write much more than "don't bother".  And no before you ask I'm not going to blog about them but if you really want to know email me and I'll spill the beans.


I do have high hopes for the books I'm currently reading as well as those in the cue. Right now I'm working my way through Dante's Pergatorio, Machiavelli's' The Prince and a book by a stay at home mom who blogs by the name "Mominatrix" (don't ask, its funny I swear). Odd grouping I know but well I'm odd. No no wait scratch that, I'm totally complex yes that's it, I want to be complex. **cue crickets & awkward silence** 


Sorry did I loose you there... lets get back to the post. Right okeey what is this post about, I keep forgetting... Oh right nothing. Got it!


Then I thought I'd share another recipe. I made these delicious burgers last night but if I give you another recipe what will I post next Wednesday? No no, better to wait and just tease you a bit now. Seriously folks brake out your indoor grills these are fantastic. And best of all I get to credit my dear sweet mother in law for introducing DH and I to theses tasty mega-meat burgers a few summers ago.


So umm **taps mike & nervously clears throat**... umm anyone still with me? oh good! So I decided to share a few songs that I'm listening to on repeat this week. Sadly with the 900 feet of snow trying to fight its way into our house I haven't been able to walk much so now I'm just bugging DH by playing it aloud as I type. He's totally loving me right now.

Oh and I wasn't able to add Beat the Devil's Tattoo by The Black Rebel Motorcycle Club because their new album isn't officially released till March. So instead I added another of their tunes that I like. Incidentally you can listen and buy their soon-to-be released music on Itunes. I'd share the link if I could but I don't seem to be tech-apable. tee hee hee. 


Cheers,
Ouiser

Recipe of the Week ~ Ouiser's Chicken Tortilla Soup

Do you hear that? It's faint I know but it's the sound of hands clapping wildly in a fit of astonishment. Their mine of course because this is the very first recipe that I created!!  I know shocking right? Cause I'm like awesome and stuff.

So in an attempt at full disclosure ~ why I'm bothering being honest I don't know, isn't that the point of a blog? its my word against ... no one else. Anyway, I did have two recipes that I used as inspiration but for the most part I went my own way. And even though I'm not usually one to "toot my own gahooganfloogan" (first person to name this 1980's tv reference wins a prize**) it was pretty darn tasty! So, here it is .... drum roll please... I'm serious, I'll wait * as fingers lightly tap laptop* okay that's better... Squueeeeeeel, I have my own recipe! 

Ousier's Chicken Tortilla Soup

Serves 2-4

1            Jalepeno

4           Cloves Garlic

1           Medium Sweet Onion

2 TBS   Olive Oil

1 TBS   Chili Powder

1 TBS   Cumin, ground

1 can    Rotel, with Cilantro

1 Qrt.   Chicken Stock

1 ½ lbs Chicken Breast

1 C      Water (optional-depending on how “soupy” you like)

3          Limes

¼  C    Fresh Cilantro, chopped

Corn Tortillas

Avocado

Mexican Cheese, shredded

Roast jalepeno and garlic in a sauté pan over medium heat. Do not add anything to the pan other then the pepper and garlic. Roast for about 10 mins, turning occasionally. Remove from heat, let cool and then finely chop both after removing stem from pepper and skin from garlic.

Heat olive oil in a dutch oven over medium heat. Add onion and roasted jalepeno and garlic. Cook for about 5 mins or until onion is translucent. Add chili powder, cumin, Rotel, chicken stock and chicken breast. Bring to a boil then lower heat to simmer for 20 mins or until chicken is cooked through. Remove Chicken and let cool, then shred and set aside.

Using an emersion blender/stick blender blend soup till smooth. Add shredded chicken, juice from 2 limes and most of the cilantro, leaving a little cilantro to top each soup bowl with.

Cut corn tortillas in half and then into strips. Lightly fry/sautee in a pan with a little olive oil or corn oil.

Serve Soup with Avocado slices, fried tortilla strips, cilantro, lime and shredded Mexican cheese. 

I served cheese quesadillas with this for dinner the other night and it was super filling and delicious. I hope if you've got some time on your hands you'll make this soon. And if you don't like it then clearly you must be making it wrong. 

Happy Slurping!

Cheers, 

Ouiser


** Prize: Your choice ~ a Thanksgiving Turkey sticker from Trader Joe's or small packet of crayons left over from a trip to church. Both of which my 20 month old son loves, so I know these are like super cool prizes. 

Late to the Party but Still Laughing!

I think we can all agree that I'm not exactly "cutting edge" and I'm always late to the party... example A and example B. So if you've seen this clip forgive me!

Never the less it makes me laugh hysterically every time I watch it so I'm going to post it anyway. I mean I guess there is an off chance you missed SNL this week or perhaps you missed any number of emails, blog posts and tweets linking to the clip on Sunday. Yep, it's now Tuesday, hardly breaking news I know. Well at least *I'm guessing* this will be new for Mamere. Of course Mamere probably won't think it's funny. Infact, she'll probably scold me for posting something with profanity. Tisk Tisk Ms. Ousier!

Okay enough with all the set up... Happy Politic-ing!

**Profanity warning** Yes, it's bleeped out but there is still a lot of it, so you've been forewarned!**



Okay what was your favorite part? Mine? Oh you're so sweet to ask... Well I'll tell you, it was the Facebook bit. What are you fourteen? hee hee I can't stop laughing!

Cheers, 
Ouiser

How Have We Not Talked about Amazon?

In the midst of being house bound over the extended weekend I did some browsing on other people's blogs and found this blog has a great category that I am unabashedly going to steal.... "How Have We Not Talked About This?" So great right? Especially because I'm pretty much always late to the party be it cultural references, tv shows, viral videos, and yes even blogs.

Blog Credit: Thanks for the tip G-man, wouldn't have found it with out you!

So with that in mind... How have we not talked about Amazon!?!?

For years I only used Amazon to buy the occasional book that I couldn't find at (or too lazy to check) my neighborhood book store. Apparently I didn't get the memo that you can in fact find anything and everything you need, don't need, think you might need one day and know you'll never need but better to buy it just in case... all conveniently located on your laptop. 

My DBIL (that's darling brother in law) mentioned one year that he signed up for free shipping on all of his Amazon orders for some ridiculously low annual fee. At the time I thought, well I'd never need that, I hardly ever order anything from Amazon. But now that I'm home with two munchkins still in car seats and only one that can walk, err toddle I'm all like WHERE IS THAT OPTION?

Does it work just to throw cash at my monitor??

So far this month we've ordered eight e-books for my kindle (more here), one "real" book, a sesame street toy remote for the precious one, some nursing-mom things (trust me, don't ask), DH's Valentines day present **giggle giggle** and a crib rail cover in the third round attempt to keep the precious one from eating his crib. Incidentally he's already gotten through the paint and into the wood. So if there are learning "problems" somewhere along the way I think we all know what (and not who) to blame. 

Wonder if my order is in there??

I mean other than my discovery of diapers.com which by the way is AMAZING! I think Amazon may be my most favorite store ever!

Best wishes that you find everything you never knew you needed and more! 

Cheers, 

Ousier

Expedition for Essentials...

Just back from the Great Tundra where I've been out foraging for food and other essentials.... And yes "essentials" include Glitter Heart Fairy Wands, Butter and Beer..

En route to 7-11 *cue heavenly harp music* I made a stop into the Dairy Godmother for brownies, cookies, frozen custard and some heart shaped fairy wands, natch.

Imagine hearts instead of stars. Can't find a pic of the hearts & my son is sitting on me, preventing me from taking a pic of the ones I bought. 

After some fun snow-bantering I trudged on to 7-11. While I assumed they'd have all sorts of fun grocery items DH was a little less sure. He's such a pessimist, okay okay "Realist".

So what do you think? Did I get the good stuff? I gave a half second thought about getting a slurpee but decided to go for the sparkling water instead.

Off to make a dinner of "Snacks" think nachos and popcorn. Perfect for watching the Super Bowl.

Geaux Saints!!!!!

Cheers, 
Ousier