Chocolate Rice Krispie Treats

Sarah asked for the recipe, so I thought I would go ahead and post it:

Use your standard recipe for regular Rice Krispie Treats. Make sure that you SLOWLY melt the butter in the pot. You can't rush the process. Nothing nastier than burned butter. Also, SLOWLY melt the marshmallows (the only thing nastier than burned butter). This is when you add the chocolate chips. I don't measure them, but it probably works out to a cup and a half. Let the chocolate melt completely, pour in the rice krispies, and remove from the heat. Take a buttered spatula and scrape the mixture into a really well buttered rectangular dish (9X13). Do not use PAM. Use butter, it tastes better. Let cool. Enjoy. They're really good!

Take heart

My Christmas spirit is not in jeopardy. I am still going to enjoy the season and I am offering this proposition for anyone who reads the blog:

The Virtual Holiday Movie Party 2006

For those of you not in the know, I have an annual holiday movie party. The first year was 1998. And I have had one every year since. Anyone reading this blog is invited to participate. For everyone who reads this blog and lives in Birmingham you are invited to my party on Saturday Dec. 9th (time TBA) at my place. For anyone who lives somewhere else I encourage you to watch along with us at home. The proposed movies/holiday specials are:

A Charlie Brown Christmas
Christmas with the Kranks
It's a Wonderful Life

If these are movies that you have seen or want to watch something else, past movies are as follows:

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
A Christmas Carol
Elf
Love Actually
National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation
(and anything else you want to watch that gets you in the Christmas mood)

Snacks are also important. We always have regular and chocolate Rice Krispie Treats, cocktail weenies, and Rotel dip. Anything that is high salt, fat, sugar or other various processed foods. Mmmm-mmm.

Go forth and be merry

First step. Final realization.

I put the fabulous tree up over the weekend and it is just as beautiful as last year. I tried to take a picture of it, but the lights make it impossible to tell what it is (and without lights, what is a Christmas Tree?). Very exciting stuff. I love looking at the tree and in looking at its near perfection, I have come to an important conclusion: Christmas will never be what I want it to be. I watch the movies, read the books, plan the perfect dinner and set the bar too high. I am disappointed every year because I have set my sights on the impossible dream: a storybook Christmas. What should I do about this? Lower my standards or try not to be bothered by my dad and his scroogy-ness. Abandon the movies, books, and dinner plans and just take it as it comes? I just don't know, but something needs to change. Are you perpetually disappointed on Christmas or is really just me?

What conclusion to draw?

Let me first state: I live in a good neighborhood. Nothing too scary, fairly middle class. With that, I am a bit alarmed by the activities of my downstairs neighbors. Last night I heard a lot of bumping around and something close to a crash. Then I heard their front door open and close. I looked out my window and saw their refrigerator sitting on the front lawn. Ya'll, I live in an apartment. Generally the fridge stays in the apartment at all times. 10 minutes later the refrigerator was back in the apartment. Bizarre behavior? Yes. I watch a lot of Dog the Bounty Hunter and I have decided they are running a meth lab. Maybe some of their concoction spilled inside and they took it out to clean it. Sure, meth lab seems a little like jumping to conclusions, but I don't have the most patience for this neighbor to begin with. I have to listen to her amorous encounters at least two times a week (her bedroom is right above mine and quiet she is not), listen to the hacking coughing that comes from them smoking pot (I can smell it outside the door when I'm walking Teddy), and the loud television watching - I can actually hear distinct dialogue through the wall. I am going to be so pissed if I get blown up by their home chemistry experiments.

Social Commentary

Okay, since I have been discussing several things that have happened in the news of late, I thought I would throw the whole Kelly Ripa vs. Clay Aiken vs. Rosie O'Donnell thing out there. In case you missed it basically Clay was guest hosting on Regis and Kelly and Kelly Ripa must have said something that annoyed Clay or whatnot and he reached over and covered her mouth with his hand and said "You never know where that hand has been..." or something to that effect. Rosie O'Donnell has weighed in on this issue and called Kelly homophobic because of what she said and did. First off, Clay is not out of the closet so as far as anyone is concerned he could be gay or straight. Rosie also stated that had it been someone else (like attractive) Kelly would have reacted differently. Nice Rosie. Out Clay Aiken AND call him fugly. Good Lord. Mel Gibson and Michael Richards really did say hateful things, but Kelly basically conveyed that she didn't want someone's hand over her mouth. It's not like she said "get your fucking gay-ass hand off my fucking straight mouth." I could give a crap who people sleep with and I think Rosie overreacted and stuck her nose in somewhere it doesn't belong. Has Clay come out and spoken about how he felt so offended or discriminated against? No. Until that time, Rosie is just putting words and thoughts into people's heads.

What do you think

About Michael Richard's racist tirade at a comedy club? It seems quite reminiscent of Mel Gibson's anti-semitic remarks after he was arrested for drunk driving. I just wonder what people are thinking when they say these things. What possesses someone to call people such hateful names? Just because they got heckled? As far as I know, being heckled is part of the job when you are a stand-up comedian. How do you explain it away or apologize enough? Just to note, neither Mel nor Michael are from the southeastern part of the United States. In case anyone wants to point fingers at the South for their racist tendencies, I will have you know that neither my friends nor I would ever say the kinds of things that either Gibson or Richards said. They deserve public condemnation.

Peeved

Though, I shall not name names, I am going to vent a little about someone here on the ole blog. Someone (once again, who shall remain nameless) is supposed to be visiting me in Nashville today and tomorrow, but I have not heard from this certain someone since Friday. Friday. This person does not know how to get to my house in Nashville and it is a little irritating that they are MIA. I could be making plans with some of my other friends up here, but I was waiting for this person to call and say they were coming or weren't coming. At first I was just worried that something may have happened, but another friend of mine let me know that they had logged into their myspace account yesterday. Hmmm. Not looking good for this person and I am still peeved. I think I will just make my alternative plans and not worry about the other person. I know that this post is a bit rambling, but I had to express my displeasure.

sad.

I talked to my brother tonight and he informed me that our family dog, Murphy has doggy cancer. It is a form of melanoma and they don't really know how it will affect his quality of life or how long he will be with us. I got really upset. He was my first dog and I housetrained him and cared for him during his first formative months. He may not be the smartest or best trained dog, but he is one of the sweetest. He was also my mother's dog. He gave her happiness and comfort when she was sick and couldn't really go anywhere. He was with her when she died and he stayed with her until someone found her. He meant a great deal to her and if he dies then it means I will lose one more thing that was connected to her. I have faith that he will be okay for a long time. I'm just not ready.

The List

The best part of Christmas is that when you get presents from your friends and family it doesn't matter if you are naughty or nice. They will still give you presents. I will still give you presents even if you were bad. Only Santa can judge. With all of this said, I have started my list of people to give presents and what I should give them. I have already figured out what to get some people, but there are several stragglers. My father is one of these stubborn "hard to shop for s.o.b.'s" (I mean that in the most complimentary way possible). If you recall, I have already discussed this problem (see posts from Nov. and Dec. of 2005) and my father is never satisfied. I have no idea what I am going to wrap up and put under the tree. It doesn't really matter what I get him. He will hate it and forget what it was within 36 minutes. A loving, generous father he is. Gracious gift receiver he is not. What are you getting your dad?

Optimism

Generally, I don't discuss politics too often on this blog, but the recent elections have inspired me. I am hopeful about our political situation for the first time in several years. Due to our recent election, the Democrats have taken control of some of our political future. Do I align myself strictly with Democrats? No. Republicans? No. Do I think something is severely wrong with how things have been going lately? Yes. I think it is time for change and a party shake-up is just what we needed. Can't wait 'til the presidential election!

It's beginning to look...

A lot like Christmas...yes, it's that time again. If you are a little taken aback by my early holiday spirit then you need to read the posts around this time last year. I have tried to put off my celebration of Christmas to after Thanksgiving, but I just can't. I've already bought some hot apple cider mix, candy canes, and seriously contemplated pulling out The Tree. I have resisted the urge to get the tree out, but I am bowing to the need to get into "the spirit." Christmas music is just around the corner. Who's ready?

I love it.

Props to my friend Ashley for informing me of this little tidbit...

My favorite driver, future baby daddy, and all around hottie, Dale Jr. is in the new Jay-Z video "Show Me What You Got." I saw it by looking up the title on YouTube. Not only is he a talented driver, but he is also super cool. Check it out and enjoy.

My punishment

I am the proud new driver of the world's smallest pimp mobile. A gold Kia Rio. I'm not going to lie - it's a pretty sweet ride. I got a rental car while my car is in the shop. I knew I wasn't going to be ridin' in style, but I thought it would be a little better. It only has 12,000 miles on it, but trust me it has been a rough 12K for this little car. As I approached the car I noticed a lovely array of stains on the seats and the tempting aroma of stale cigarette smoke. Mmm-mmm. Since the guy at the body shop seemed quite doubtful that my Civic will be fixed before Thanksgiving, me and my Rio are going to be together for a while. yyyyyeeeeeeessssss!

I'm pretty well aquainted with Murphy

As in Murphy's Law. You know those phrases like "life is what happens when you're making plans" or "You plan, God laughs." I like looking into my financial future and trying to plan what I am going to be doing in the next few months with my finances. I do this because Christmas is coming and I am moving in with a friend so my rent is going down.

Then I am driving along today on my way to meet a friend for brunch and it happens. Car Accident. I am fine. They're fine. It was just that, an accident. I feel stupid because it was just one of those things, but I keep thinking "how much is this going to cost?" I have insurance, but there are deductibles, rental cars, and incidental costs. My front bumber is toast. My car was in perfect condition because it was only 8 months old. They're back bumper is just scratched. I would still have it this way. Thank God they were okay. They were great. I cried. My dad fussed. I feel stupid.

If it's not one thing, it's another. sigh.

Yes, Ma'am!

I got my donuts. After Jenny and Roach and I saw Borat, I made them go to Krispy Kreme with me (I sure did have to twist some arms...). I got a dozen, shared two of those and the rest are with me - Oh what will I do with all these donuts? I'm sure I'll think of something.

I will include a movie review in this post since I mentioned Borat. I laughed repeatedly, but some of the movie I felt kind of sad. It is kind of a poor statement on the United States. Some of the things the people said in the movie were horrifying, but not surprising. I wonder what they think after realizing they were duped? I know that the character is an exaggeration, but some of the stuff in the movie (especially the anti-semitism, homophobia, masochism, etc) was a little much. Don't get me wrong, I still laughed alot and enjoyed the movie, but it did make me think...and cringe. I would say it would be a 3.5 out 5.

A tiny piece of heaven

Krispy Kreme donuts. I want a yummy, warm plain glazed donut. There is just not anything better. I love them fresh. Not from the grocery store, from the actual Krispy Kreme store. Yum, yum. At some point this weekend they will be mine. Mark these words. Yup, yup.

It is so sad how happy this makes me...

I was on one of my favorite sites for tv updates (www.thefutoncritic.com) and I saw that Reba was going to be on the CW Nov. 19th. I was confused at first because Reba was cancelled last season - which I thought was a big mistake on the part of the network. I did some googling and found out that due to viewer response they are bringing it back for 13 more episodes this season. This makes me so happy. I really liked this show and I am glad that it is back on the air, even temporarily. I know, I'm pathetic. I don't care, I'll be too busy watching Reba.