70% + 30%= 100% disgusting!

I'm sure those in my immediate family (Rachel and Mom I know!) have seen this show "Semi-Homemade with Sandra Lee". The basic idea of the show is to integrate pre-packaged food with fresh food. This is not how "Semi-Homemade" works though. According to Sandy it's 70% store-brought and 30% homemade and you take 100% of the credit. I personally think is yields 100% disgusting food that is insulting to anyone who likes food! Sandy describes herself as a "lifestyle expert" not a chef (read her Wikipedia bio ) so she feels the need to create these theme parties that include tablescape. But the best part is her tips for both the cooking and the tablescapes. Her tips from the show today was to cut bacon strips with scissors. And most of her tablescape tips are "I got this is a catalog" or "You can get this at a craft store". She always says that you can make her food with stuff right from your own grocery store. As if people are confused on where to get this magical food that she turns into disgusting food. I think my main problem with her is that she pretends that this food she is creating is the best food you have ever tasted. And the fact that she has so much alcohol on her show. She has a cocktail everyday that usually has some sort of flavored vodka as the base. Listen Sandy, just because you can knock a few back without feeling a buzz, doesn't mean I need to see you "taste" every cocktail as you try to booze-up your stupid theme party. And I love that she wants you to think that she is actually having a party/dinner, as if serving a dried out tri-tip with her "homemade rub", Corn on the cob smeared with butter mixed with cheese from boxed mac and cheese, beer baked beans, cookies, and cinnamon hard cider (using cinnamon schnapps) equals a good party (that is nothing like our family party menus!). And she uses extracts or flavored oils all the time, even though using the actual spice is better. (Like when she was making hot cider, she used cinnamon oil instead of actual cinnamon.) I know I should not get so worked up over a stupid show, but what is up with Food Network? Seriously you can see better cooking shows on PBS with reruns of Julia Child!

Want to read more Sandy related rants? Visit the Television Without Pity Semi-Homemade Cooking Forum

Random thoughts

For most of you, you know that I love the show King of the Hill and you have probably seen the show yourself. For those of you who don't know anything about the show you can catch up on the show by clicking here. It is an article from Wikipedia, the online encyclopedia written by thousands of individuals.

I saw "The DaVinci Code" yesterday with my parents. I really liked the movie, despite what the critics have said. I read of that one critic said that the actress playing Sophie Neveu seemed uncomfortable with English. Perhaps that is because she is a French actress, and English is not her native language. But sometimes I think critics just try to be as mean as they can. Plus I disagree with most of them on some movies, so I don't trust them anyway.

This is my first official day of work at the toxicology firm for my summer internship. The company is located in the research park, but actully only one person in the company has an office there and the other people have satelite offices. Unforntunely, the guy who actully works in town will be going to Costa Rica for two weeks so I have to talk to their toxicologist who lives in California. I'm excited about starting work!

That's a Gribble of an idea!

As I have mentioned in my profile, we have some goats on our farm. We have 3 nannies (female goats) named Kiora, Rosalie, and Frappe. And we have on buck (male goat) named Mr. Strickland (from King of the Hill). I have to tell you how much I hate that stupid Mr. Strickland. The second that I open the gate, he is there ready to but me with his head and horns. And then when I let Kiora or Rosalie back into the stall, he is there to butt them too. I guess head butting is just a greeting in goat etiquette. Or it could that he is just a big jerk. But he is afraid of the cows though, so maybe he as to show off any dominance he has when he can.

For all of you who will be watching the World Cup, I recommend visiting the website Rathergood.com. There is a short video clip for the world cup that is called world cup winners. While you are there, I would also recommend viewing clips called: northern, we like the moon, destiny's child, and Pavarotti. I will warn you that there are several very strange clips as well, but the ones I mentioned are pretty funny.

Hope you all have a safe and fun Memorial Day!

Yahoo, quit trying to make me listen to Jethro Tull

So I have a personlized radio station through Yahoo Music (listed under cmleo99 if you would like to take a listen) and I am becoming obsessed with what's being played on my station. You can rate artists, songs etc. So of course I feel the need to rate everything that is ever played on my station. But that means that I hear artists that are similar to ones that I have rated. Apparently liking "You Really Got Me" by the Kinks, means you will love Jethro Tull.... (I don't love Jethro Tull, but I admire the use of flute in rock music). But I have to admit I have heard several songs that I like based on my ratings... I just have to use the "never play again" option a lot more.

What does it all mean?

I saw this report on Nightline that said that Lionel Richie is very popular in Iraq. And Qadhafi chose Lionel Richie for the concert to symbolize the "reopening" of Libya to the west. Does this mean that Kim Jong Il just needs to hear a little "Easy Like Sunday morning" to avoid any confrontation? Is Lionel Richie music the key to unifying the peoples of Iraq?

Hello, welcome to my blog

Hello and welcome to my blog. You may be asking yourself, what is the purpose of this blog and what is wrong with this girl? Well, I'm not sure I can answer the latter, but I will try to answer the former. I am simply hopping on the blog wagon. I have two sisters and two cousins that have blogs, and I must admit I am intrigued by the ideas of sending my thought and opinions into the deep space that is the internet. Plus there have been a lot of changes in my life in the past year, and as source of constancy may allow me to freak out less than normally. Within the past year:

• I graduated from college.
  
• I traveled to Europe.
  
• I became an aunt for the first time in July.
  
• My sister Lucy moved to Colorado.
  
• I started graduate school.
• My oldest sister Rachel found out she was pregnant.
  
• My sister Lucy (2 yrs. older that me) got married, leaving the only daughter not married. And leaving me open to comments regarding my single status by cousins not old enough to drive. (Singletons Rule!!!)
  
• My sister Bridget and her husband Orrin (and Silas) moved to Ireland.
• My sister Rachel and her husband Trey moved to Germany.
  

And so for the first time in a very long time, I am the only daughter at home on the farm for the summer. So, welcome to my blog.