Five For Fighting - Review

For many years I have been listening to Five for Fighting, the music speaks so clearly. John Ondrasik is the song writer for Five for Fighting, and the singer. His voice is so mellow, calming and true. He writes the way he sings, deeply personal.

Listening to the newest album, Slice, has been great. Hearing his voice, his words and the simple way he delivers both is pure joy.

From the website:

If every album provides snapshots of where an artist's mind at heart is at the moment, Slice, the latest offering from John Ondrasik (aka Five for Fighting), is a collection of digital jpegs and faded Polaroids.

The very personal level of his songs is something so few artists have, so many don’t write their own music. This is something that drew me to him, and kept me hooked from the beginning.

Not only is John Ondrasik a wonderful musician, he is involved in social media and more importantly some wonderful charities. In 2007 John launched the charity website whatkindofworlddoyouwant.com. It raises money for many charities when visitors view videos provided by other visitors. The current view count…3 million! That translate to $300,000 donated.

John is also a strong supporter of the US Troops. He has performed at Guantanamo Bay, Hawaii, Guam & Japan through USO Tours. With that John created a CD of fabulous recording that is available to any active service person for free!

John has composed songs for many movies, most recently August Rush, We Were Solders and The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. He was also featured on a promo for the new show The Good Wife this past week.

Five For Fighting’s newest album “Slice” is a strong contender for my new favorite, it has power, patience and quiet. It fits so well with any mood, something that is important as I constantly listen to my Ipod at work.

Many thanks to One2One Network for the chance to hear Five For Fighting’s newest album Slice!

The Week

This week was full of simple pleasures. Small things that added up to make the week not quite as hectic and scary.

- WCCO tweeted me back to tell me what exactly was going on in my neighborhood. That was cool.
- I found a drain cover that actually worked in my tub for my ever-loving-always-falling-out hair.
- I colored my hair, while Boo read to me about Sharks and Dolphins.
- Hubby took Koda hunting for the very first time, and then Koda went to the Kennel to get a bath.
- Today my friend Andi turned 29...and she will forever be 29 (or so she says). Tomorrow is her birthday/anniversary/housewarming bash, and I can't wait. I have missed her.
- On Sunday my Lovely Lia and I will be helping a friend, and there is no one I would rather take with me then her.
- LIA GOT A JOB! After months of searching, interviewing and stressing out she rejoins the work force. I am so proud of her. She is so strong, so smart and so wonderful.
- It is two weeks from today when we will have Ladies Night and see New Moon. Can't wait.
- Two weeks and one day until The Pioneer Woman comes to Minnesota!

So many wonderful things, taking the edge off a stressful week.

Try This! - PASTA!!

It is time again for Girlymama's Try This carnival, which is held on the first Thursday of each month.

This month's theme is PASTA! Oh how I love Pasta...I truly do. So many things are made better with pasta.

So, I wanted to do the simplest pasta "dish" I make, and one that the my kids (and me, who am I kidding) would eat everyday if we could.

Parmesan Butter Noddles

- Pasta of any shape or size, we use small shells or egg noodles the most. The amount depends on how much the people will eat, no exact amount here.
- Butter
- Parmesan - same as pasta, I use a bunch because it is just wonderful.

Cook pasta as directed on package, and drain. Make sure it is still warm, to melt the butter and cheese.

Put in the bowl/on the plate you will be using. It doesn't taste the same, something about how the butter coats in large amounts of pasta.

Add butter, you can do as little or as much as you want with this. I do a medium amount, about 1 teaspoon per bowl.

Add cheese - and oh how we add it in this house! We have been known to go through half a container with this meal for three of us.

Stir and Eat!

*Additions - I do this with chicken or shrimp a lot, and you can add any spices you might want.

So very simple, I feel like I am cheating...so here's another one that is more involved. This is one that I got out of my Food Network "How to Boil Water" cookbook**, and have made it once and love it!

Outside the Box Pasta Pie*
-1 teaspoon Kosher Salt (for pasta water)
-8 ounces of Penne or Penne Rigate
-1/2 cup milk
- 2 Large eggs
-1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
-Dash Worcestershire sauce
-Pinch nutmeg
-Fresh Cracked Pepper
- 2 Slices Bacon
- 1/2 Medium onion
- 1/4 cup drained sun-dried tomatoes
- 1 Tablespoon unsalted butter, plus a little more for greasing your baking dish (IMPORTANT!)
- 2 Cups broccoli - frozen is easiest, cooks better in the dish
- 2 ounces cream cheese
- 2 cup cheddar cheese shredded

Preheat your oven to 350, cook pasta for about 6-8 minutes. It will continue to cook when it bakes, so you don't want it all the way done.

While the pasta is cooking, whisk together eggs, milk, mustard, Worcestershire, nutmeg and black pepper. Drain pasta and let cook for about 5 minutes, add to mixture.

Slice bacon into thin strips, chop onion (not to small) and sun dried tomatoes. Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Cook the bacon until it just begins to crisp, add onion, broccoli and tomatoes to saucepan. Season with salt, pepper and cook until onion is tender. Add to above mixture, also adding cream cheese and 1 1/2 cups cheddar cheese. Stir until cheese is melted

Grease baking dish and butter and mound the pasta in dish (I like having a peak in the middle). Add remaining cheese to top and bake for 25 minutes. Serve warm.

*Additions: I have done this adding chicken and even some turkey before, so good and an entire meal (great for reheating for work too!).

** I LOVE this cookbook. I can never remember how to boil an egg, or how long to cook one for if I want it runny. I would normally call Ma, but I felt like an idiot. Now, I can feel that way without having to let her know! This book is wonderful!!

What I Learned this Week

We had a strange weekend, but a good one. Lots to get done and no where near enough time. Let's just dive on in, shall we?

- Boo has inherited Ma's shoe obsession. She got these on Saturday and walks around singing "It's Fergalicious", so cute and slightly annoying. Oh, and why don't they come in my size..Fergie has some super cute kid shoes!

- Raking leafs is awful, it sucks, hate it. We bagged 22 bags of leafs this weekend, and that was just in the back. Darn mature trees...

- My new sneakers are NO WHERE near as cute as Boo's, but the are so functional so that works for me. Hello Arch Supports!

- 2 year olds crack me up, they have the best one liners ever! "I'm not crazy...you crazy!". So true...

- Certain people (who shall remain nameless) are VERY excited about the new Disney movie, and can't wait to get all the merchandise...even though they have all boys. (Had to put that link up, she is going to FREAK)

- I am working really hard to use more coupons, to save us more money. It is like a drug, finding the best deal. I spent 45 minutes tonight cutting out coupons, and I'm not even done yet. I can't wait to study the ads, the get the best deals.

- I don't like math homework, and it is very hard to NOT just give her the answer. Took me 20 minutes to figure out how to work through the problem with her, not just tell her. I hate math.

- Trick or Treating is fun with Ma. She doesn't mind when Boo wants to keep going, even though her feet hurt.

For more What I Learned this Week posts, head on over to Musings of a Housewife!

Let Them Be Little

This past week has gone by in a blur. We have been so busy that I can't seem to catch my breathe, and we are no where near as busy as some.

I can't imagine what life would be like if we didn't limit the kids activities. I have friends whose children are in three different activities a week...A WEEK! Right now my kids have two, and that is bowling. Boo will be starting something one day a week, but that almost feels like to much.

I would rather have my children be just that, Children.

I spent so many years of my life hopping from one activity to another, and bless my mother for driving me to it all. There were many spring days I would go from the ball field to the dance studio, and my brother from the track to the hockey arena. I don't know how she kept it all straight, let alone didn't loose her own mind along the way.

There is such a major trend with over scheduled children, and the after affects are now coming to light.

While having a child try many sports/groups/clubs over time is wonderful, bogging them down in one year can prove disastrous. Our Pediatrician talked with us about this at Boo's last Well-Child-Check this summer. She let us know that one activity at a time is a great way to go about it, that no child should feel the need to focus on one specific thing until they are older, 13 being an ideal age.

Boo has played soccer, baseball, taken dance class, swimming lessons and a random art class and bowls. Never at the same time, but spread out over 3 years. This year she wants to try her hand atFastpitch , and maybe some more swim lessons. But, again not overlapping (bowling is once a week for 8 months, if she misses it the world does not end, it is for fun).

Did you know that a child of 8-12 should be getting 10-12 hours of sleep a night. A Night! So many children have sports right after school, than another activity and then maybe get home to do homework by 8. That doesn't leave much time for sleep, especially if they want to make good grades on top of it all.

I worry about what things will be like when Boo hits high school. Sports and Activities (drama, NHS etc) are very prominent in schools now, and they should not be the priority. Getting an education and staying healthy is the main thing in life, and many of the children of today will not see that 9 years down the road.

Remember that our children are Children. They need to rush to play at the park, not off to another lesson. Slow down, and let them be children while they can.

"Let them be little, cause they are only that way for a while" Lonestar - Let Them Be Little

I_Blog...Do you?

Every year there are tons of Blog Conferences around the country, Blogher, Type-A Mom etc. Every year I say, well maybe next year I can go...maybe if it wasn't so much, maybe if it was closer...

You can't get much closer than Iowa, and you can get much more inexpensive than the cost of I_Blog!

I_Blog is the brain child of Jody, also known as Iowa Geek. She spent many a nights pondering the reasoning behind the lack of midwest blog conferences. While we are chili, snowy and really not the best place to visit 9 out of 12 months, we are still bloggers and still here! We love to learn, and want to be the best bloggers we can.

So, along came I_Blog. A midwest Blog Conference for Midwest Bloggers.

I_Blog is being held November 14-15th at the Incredible Hotel Pattee in Perry Iowa, just a hour northeast of Des Moines. This place is truly amazing. They have a bowling alley, themed rooms and a spa! This is one of the best Boutique Hotels in the country! Plus, double rooms are only $99 and there is a forum on the I_Blog website where you can find a roommate and carpool buddy!

Besides being at an amazing location, I_Blog has an incredible line up of speakers:
- Jody Halsted(Iowa Geek, Have Kid Will Travel and I_Blog Creator)
- Melanie Nelson aka Chilihead (Blogging Basics 101 and co-author of TypePad for Dummies)
- BJ Weber (Ankeny Tax and Accounting - he will talk taxes for bloggers and answer questions)
- Darci (Graphically Designing and Life With My 3 Boybarians)
- Becky Mollenkamp (Creative Services)
- Deb Brown (Debworks.com)
- Jennic Law (Kangaroo Boo)

Oh the sponsors! Creative Memories is a sponsor and every participant will go home with the Creative Memories Storybook Creator software, a $65 value! Plus, HP is providing an incredible prize for one I_Blog attendee, a Photosmart Premium web printer with Touchsmart! This is an amazing printer! It retails for $399!

That is a lot of information, and some pretty great speakers right? So what do you think the cost is? $150? $200?

How about $75 for the entire shabang! $75 to hear 7 speakers, have a cocktail hour with the I_Blog signature drink, the I_Blogini! Plus, breakfast, lunch and the opportunity to meet so many amazing bloggers.

So, Do_You_Blog?

(Full disclosure time: I am not attending I_Blog, as much as I wish I could, new house and all, but I REALLY want you all to go so I can live vicariously through you, so go register!!)

What I learned this Week

I am waiting to make sure Boo stays alseep tonight, she has done pretty well since last Wednesday. So, since I am up that means I have more time to write, fabulous!

This week was jam packed, and exhausting at the same time. We have had so much going on that I feel like I am constantly moving, not much down time. It gets old, but still very good to have the energy going through the house. So, without further ado...

- Boo's doctor was very concerned about her sleeping, but also very concerned about me. Another reminder why we stay with her, even though another dr is closer.

- Boo's is sleeping, and going to sleep closer to on-time. It is amazing the change in her over this past week. My little girl is back!

- Having an undefeated team lose, when we could have won that game is hard. But knowing that this Sunday's game is going to be tough is even worse. GO VIKES!! Man...I love football.

- The Marketing Mama was on the news again today, she did outstanding (didn't really learn that, but go sign up for her contest anyway! lol).

- It was blogger day on tv today, we were everywhere! It was great to watch (even if on my computer.).

- I downloaded FireFox on my home computer, so Jo-Lynne and Andrea will be proud of me. Haven't had time to mess with it but like it so far (you can say "Told you so" Jo-Lynne and Andrea).

- Chopping off almost 6 inches of hair will throw people for a loop. It's fun to mess with them "Did you get a hair cut...?" "Nope". Makes me laugh everytime.

That's about it, things are moving right along towards Halloween. Do you buy Allergy Safe treats? You should! Here are some of the many reason's why (article also by The Marketing Mama, she was all over the place today!)

For more What I Learned this Week posts, head on over to Musings of a Housewife.

Brandi Carlile - Review and Giveaway

Brandi Carlile is a guitar playing Washington bred amazement. She is a part of VH1’s “You Oughta Know” collection, and has had many of her songs featured on episodes of my favorite show “Grey’s Anatomy”.

Brandi Carlile reminds me of the Indigo Girls, one of my favorite duos. She very soulful, with a bit of country/blue grass. She sings from the heart, and leaves it all out there for you to hear.

Her new album, "Give Up the Ghost" gave her the opportunity to work with Elton John, and record at Sunset Sound (where The Doors have recorded…The Doors people!). They recorded this album live, and with some pretty cool instruments.

Brandi Carlile isn’t an artist I would have picked for myself, but I am so glad that I had the chance to listen to this album. Her voice is incredible, and the lyrics are real life. So many artists don’t take the time to record their own songs, let alone write them. The fact that she and her band, “The Twins” took the time to write and record their own music speaks to the type of album they wanted to create.

Want to win a copy of Brandi Carlile's album "Give Up the Ghost"? Leave me a comment to entered. Tweet the giveaway for an additional entry, just leave me your link.

The giveaway will close Sunday November 1st.

Many thanks to One2One Network for the chance to preview this great album.

Shopping-Paloza!

Yesterday was a whirlwind of a day. Wait...back up.

For my birthday, Ma and Big Sis wanted to take me shopping, because I never do for myself. Usually when I do, I end up getting stuff for the kids. It is just easier than dealing with finding clothes. I have no patience. So when they offered I knew it was their way of telling me that I needed some new stuff, so I said sure.

Last week I e-mailed my Fashion Guru of a friend Jo-Lynne, asking for HELP. I had no idea was in style or what was out there. I just don't pay attention. I am a jeans and t-shirt girl. She came to my rescue and gave me some great ideas, along with asking others to chime in as well. It helped so much! I got a great base for what I needed, and what was as in style as I would go.

So, yesterday I spent about 75% of my day in a dressing room. We started at Clothes Mentor, a consignment shop that sells 99% name brand clothes. It was FABULOUS!! If you have one by you GO THERE for clothes! We founds so much fabulous stuff, 2 pairs of pants, 3 sweaters and a cardigan. It was wonderful. Their selection was great, even having the bigger sizes. Oh, and you can sell your clothes to them and they pay CASH on the spot! How fabulous is that!! Seriously, go there.

Next up, Ma's personal heaven...SHOES! We went to Schuler Shoes because of my knees. I have major problems wearing anything over an inch heal and normally they need to be the chunky kinds. So, I knew it was going to be interesting. Ma loves them because they give you great service, will fit your foot the RIGHT WAY (who knew there was a wrong way!) and tell you the best kind of shoes if you don't know. I got two pair, and they are FABULOUS!!

These are Nita's from Trotter. They remind me of an actual ballet flat, more like a Toe Shoe really. They are SO COMFORTABLE! I have been wearing them tonight to make the bottoms scuffed a bit, and oh my heavens they are fabulous.
These are Janison's from Naturalizer. If you don't know Naturalizer (and I didn't before) they are not just for old ladies anymore (like I thought...sorry Ma). They have the cutest shoes, and I never got to wear the cute shoe before. They are uber comfy, and something I can wear everyday if I wanted to.

I mean really, how fabulous are these! I am now a shoe lover, as opposed to before.

Next up, was Dress Barn which was right across the walkway. I had never been in there before, again pre-stereotypes and all. It was OUTSTANDING! I found the BEST PANTS EVER in that store. I wanted to show them to you, but can't find the picture online, so you just have to trust, me. You can actually see them in this picture, the light grey/black/PURPLE pants dead center, with the purple top on them. HOW GORGEOUS are they! Love them!

After Dress Barn, we hit Kohl's and got me some super comfy Dockers and some wonderful shirts that are work comfy, and that I would wear outside of the office. I always find stuff at Kohl's!

After Kohl's it was time for stuff that is not fun for me...under garments. This is a constant battle for me, I am...gifted in that area. We tried one the "normal" stores and it was not happening, to the point of melt down. Yes I am 30, leave me alone.

So we hit Lane Bryant and let me TELL YOU! They know their stuff about under garments of all kinds. Especially when we told them what happened at the other store they were there for me and beyond! They really deserve a post in themselves, but we will gel it into here.

Did you know that when I was trying things on, the sales rep came over MULTIPLE times to see how things were fitting. She asked about how it was laying, how it was feeling and even what I THOUGHT about it! I have never been asked THAT before! Also, did you know things should FIT RIGHT? Who would have thought it! She was outstanding, definitely a place I will be getting my...undergarments from in the future.

The last place we hit? Barnes and Noble. Why? Because I had to pre-order THIS, really go look it is worth it. Not only did I get the book, but next month The Pioneer Woman is coming HERE, well not to my house but to the Mall of America. Andrea and I will be there with out cookbooks in hand just waiting. She is amazing if you haven't "met" her before. I can't wait! Her book tour starts on Tuesday in Oklahoma and then she is making her way. I am excited to follow her trip!

After wearing Ma out, Big Sis and I took Boo out for dinner. We had some laughs, because Boo is just a nut when she is caught up on her sleep (woohoo!). It was a great end to the day.

I am so grateful that Big Sis and Ma realize that I won't shop for myself, but even more so that they love me enough to do this for me. It was an amazing day, one that I won't forget. We had some great conversations, and realized a lot about each other. It was great, and I can't wait for more time together.