Oops.
I was supposed to announce the winners of my new Pin It! pack yesterday.
But then yesterday flew by in the wink of an eye. Which, I think, is supposed to mean that it flew by faster than one can wink. Or blink. Or get anything done, such as announce winners when, instead, you’re eating at a restaurant that you said was your favorite before you’d ever even eaten there.
So without any more delay, here are the winners of my latest pack!
Susan
swinters@alpinedistrict.org
Meagan
meagan.newbold@gmail.com
Beth
Bethc725@gmail.com
Congratulations, girls! Be sure to check your email.
Now that that’s taken care of, let’s get on with some Five for Fraturday, shall we?
Oh, Happy Me–Happy Vacation–Happy I Am A Little Crazy. I saw four movies this week.
Four.
Yep. If you were to x-ray my stomach, I would look like the movie theater popcorn machine inside. All you would need is a scooper and some butter.
I saw Frozen — loved it. I didn’t think I would like it as much as I did. LOVED IT. Only the girls in my family went — mom, two sisters, two nieces, me. It was perfect!
Then, the very next day, we took my nephews (and my niece, although she didn’t want to go because she hates conflict and, well, if you’ve seen Catching Fire, then you know she was right not to want to go) to see the Hunger Games.
If you’re keeping track, yes, I’ve seen it three times now.
Fab-u-lous.
Then, on New Year’s Day, the whole family, plus some friends, went to see Saving Mr. Banks. There were fourteen of us. We took up an entire row. Double fab-u-lous.
Saving Mr. Banks was amazing. If you haven’t seen it, I highly recommend it. We ALL loved it, except for my nine year old nephew who prefers whatever nine year old boys typically like.
Last, the hubby and I saw American Hustle. It was my least favorite movie of the four. It was good. Don’t get me wrong. Just not my favorite.
Jennifer Lawrence was INCREDIBLE, though.
I can’t believe I saw four movies in one week.
My dream came true!
Second Annual Hell’s Kitchen Taste Test. You can read about my first experience {HERE}.
This year, I volunteered the hubs and I to go first. I was hoping for some chocolate.
There were only four items to taste this go-around. I don’t know why. I didn’t get a vote.
Now, remember, I had to wear an eye mask, headphones with music blaring, and I couldn’t touch the food. The judge spoon-fed it to us. The judge being Jeff, the same guy as last year who, apparently, is not going to give anyone else that job which I am clearly upset about, let me tell you. I need to write a letter to someone.
The first bite of food was okay. I knew it right away. I yelled, “Red bell pepper!” My husband said green.
He was right. Ugh.
My second bite was delicious. I couldn’t name it to save my life. I knew it was a fruit. I wanted to say watermelon, but I knew it wasn’t. I hemmed and hawed.
It was a kiwi.
Neither of us got it.
The next bite was kale.
Excuse me? I just had a bite of sweet, delicious kiwi and you’re basically going to feed me seaweed? Or grass? Really?
It was just okay. I didn’t spit it out or anything. It sort of tasted like broccoli.
Well, it sort of tasted like broccoli after I heard my husband yell out, “Broccoli!” I have really good hearing. It makes up for my lack of eyesight. Even with my headphones on, and loud music blaring, I could hear him. So I cheated. And I said, “Broccoli!” But we were both wrong, goshdarnit.
Where is the chocolate, I demanded.
The last bite was a Nilla Wafer. I liked it. But I couldn’t place it. Not until I heard my hubby shout, “Nilla Wafer!” And then I acted all sly, and confused, and kept chewing on a piece of non-existent food (I scarfed that delicious cookie down in two seconds flat, don’t ya know) until I felt enough sufficient time had passed for me to shout out, “Nilla Wafer?” with just a little bit of “not really sure, just guessing” sound to my voice.
Yes, I’m a cheater. I realize that.
No need to point it out.
Either way, the girls lost the competition again. I am positive it had nothing to do with my cheating tactics/karma/what goes around blah blah nonsense either. No one knows I cheated. I’m just telling you and that’s all.
Oh, look. A healthy salad.
Not.
After the whole family went to see Saving Mr. Banks, we went to Red Robin. I ordered the BLTA which is served on a croissant. (I’m sticking to my New Year’s Resolution of shredding paper, people. I haven’t messed up once.) Well, the L in the BLTA was outrageous.
I basically had a head of lettuce on my sandwich.
So my niece and nephews and I created a salad with it. We used my head of lettuce, some tomato, ranch (a must have for french fries), and we tore up some french fries (a must have for ranch) to look like croutons.
The waitress thought it was a real salad. She wouldn’t take it away when she was clearing the plates because she thought we were “still working on it”.
Oh, the fun I have.
And let’s not forget what a good example I am for little children everywhere.
I had a gift card to Barnes and Noble. I love love love love love Elephant and Piggie books by Mo Willems. So I bought three more. If you don’t know about these books . . . well, now you do. If you don’t go out and get some, well . . . don’t say I didn’t tell you.
I finally went to Brio. My new favorite restaurant that I blogged about before I’d even eaten there.
It was a no-brainer. Tuscan Grill? Yes, please.
We had a gift card so we ordered an appetizer. The sky’s the limit, we said.
The waitress recommended their spinach artichoke dip. She failed to tell us about the delightful homemade cracker/chips that come with it for the dipping. Oh my deliciousness.
Then I had lobster bisque soup (gift card = lobster) and the hubby had a wedge salad. We shared an entree of vodka pasta with chicken.
And then, unfortunately, we were full, making it impossible to order dessert.
Life can be a disappointment at times, can’t it?
And that was my week.
Vacation Is Good For Me.
hahaah! I'm glad you have a place to confess your cheating sins. I can tell that was really eating you up inside 😉
I can't wait to see Saving Mr Banks! I LOVED Frozen and Catching Fire. I only want to see the other one for Jennifer Lawrence.
I love Red Robin. I have to eat gluten free and they make the best gluten free burger and fries ever.
I heard a new Elephant and Piggie book is coming out. You should have saved your money. 🙂
All the food pictures are making me hungry!!! Yum 🙂
Teacher at Heart
Teachers Pay Teachers
I so want/need to see Saving Mr. Banks! 🙂
Dirt Road Teacher
I love movies too but always want buttered popcorn to go with it. I need to go see Frozen, sounds so cute! Love your posts, they always make me smile.
First Books is sponsoring a "Friendiversary" the week of Feb 9. Since my birthday is Feb 13 and piggie and elephant books were only $3 a book through this amazing website, I am having a party and giving each child their own book! I LOVE piggie and Gerald and can't think of a better way to spend my birthday!
I love the Elephant and Piggie books, too! My favorite one is "We Are in a Book." Hilarious!!! I think I enjoyed that book more than my first graders…we read it multiple times last year.
I am dying to see Saving Mr Banks. We were going to go but 30 min before we were to see the movie realized we had the wrong gift card for the wrong theater. We decided to go another day since by the time we figured out the ordeal, we only had about 10 min to get there…and I like to be early and pick my seats. Lame I know.
Gina
Third Grade Tidbits
Boy you really are such an innovator! Maybe Red Robin will be calling you to offer a position in food creation. You could really market the 2 in 1 BLTA. BLT and a Salad in 1 tasty creation! Who says you aren't a role model? You turned a burger into a salad in 2 seconds flat! You should have your own healthy cooking TV show on the Food Network!
Tomorrow is The Bachelor! 2 night premiere too! Can't wait to see this muy caliente bachelor and hear your talk about it (Monday) and Tuesday posts! I have been waiting months for this! I really think I like your commentary more than the show. Don't tell the ABC producers this!
(P.S. I feel like every single time I comment I am trying to give you a TV show of your own. Isn't there any way to make this happen haha?)
ThePolishedTeacher
I just want to teach with you every day! I cannot stop laughing, smiling, and just plain grinning like a fool when I read your posts!
We saw American Hustle. I thought it was good. Different, interesting… Jennifer Lawrence cracked me up! Oh! And we finally saw Catching Fire. I know, I'm behind. 🙂
I agree with The Polished Teacher–you need to either do stand-up comedy and just riff on topics you include in your hilarious blog posts or have your own TV show! I just smile all the way through reading!
I saw both FROZEN and SAVING MR. BANKS and want to see them both again. The children sitting around me at FROZEN were absolutely enthralled and the adults sitting around me at SMB were all crying right along with me as we watch P.L. Travers watch the premiere of Mary Poppins.
~Jennifer
http://www.storiesandsongsinsecond.blogspot.com