Romantasizing

I thought I made up that word.  Nope.  Webster beat me to it.  Turns out, I'm a romantasizer.  BIG TIME. Take that Webster.

So my current obsession: basically, the noun that consumes me at the moment -- started with an innocent quiz.  Please infect yourself here before proceeding:  Princess Quiz


Okay, now that you have been infected, you like I, will suffer until you have sat down once again and watched this Cult Classic.  I plan on suffering until I can sit down and watch it with a special friend someday. Okay...I'll probably break down and see it before then.  Admitted.

So here are a few of my favorite memes and quotes.

Okay, I can stop here because I know that you have been thoroughly infected and will take it from here.
REVIEW  I have linked cinemagogue's article on the film here because when I stumbled across it I found it interesting.

I don't entirely agree with that sort of look at the film.  You could look for spiritual allusions in any work of fiction, yes.  I often do.  But what I wish to say about Cinemagogue's article is that these elements are the ingredients that have made this film so well loved and received.

Whether people admit it or not, the love story Christ gave us is truly the greatest of ALL so any of the elements taken from that great love story and thrown into a concoction of our own is going to make it all taste good.

So go rent the film or if you already own it, sit down with your special someone and watch it again. Me...I've got a little shopping to do.


Your Buttercup,


PS- Had a little computer issues lately which is why I haven't been able to post.  I will always come for you.

      I will always come for you.

Tips on Experimenting with the Dark Side

So all you sugar and GMO soy lovin' Hershey worshippers: I offer you hopeless candy connoisseurs tips on trying something real.  And good for you.

I wont rant on and on about what candy does to your teeth and body.  I'll just hand you this nifty link so you can get started experimenting with the dark side of chocolate.

Check out Healthy Dark 

And here's a few Did You Knows to go with it:

Did you know that "Noseeums" or biting midges actually pollinate Cocoa plants?  Without midges we would have a world without chocolate.

Non-dutched cocoa (non-alkalized) - product for dark - (or simply 75% or darker Dark chocolate) causes your skin to produce higher concentrations of melanin.  This means you tan better, stay darker, and wont need sunscreen- at least, I never have.

Read, buy, INDULGE!

Signed,
Your Choclatina

Ammunition for Cupid Part 2

Something funny happened at work weeks ago.  Photographers for the University come around from time to time looking for good department pictures for the companies intranet.  They want those smiley people that look way too happy about their job.

Most of the women don't want their picture taken because they know it will go on the Intranet and they might look horrible.  I don't like taking pictures much but recently I've come to tolerate it a little more willingly.  I've never shied too much from a camera.  I might stare at it rather awkwardly but I'm not one to hide behind someone else and act ridiculous about it.

Honestly, if you're THAT insecure, just wear a paper bag over your head 24/7 because everyone was looking at you off and on hours before the camera came out and you were fine with it.  You must have a phobia.

So the one dark headed guy is watching me off and on and then asks for a picture of me pulling a chart.  I pose.  I smile.  *flash* *flash*  *flashflash* *flashflashflash*.  He turned me and continued.  *flash* *flash*  *flashflash* *flashflashflash*.

I began to feel like a red-carpet model.  *flash* *flash*  *flashflash* *flashflashflash*.  And then a show-pooch or something.  It got a little uncomfortable.  *flash* *flash*  *flashflash* *flashflashflash*.

The two co-workers who were fairly antagonistic against me ever since I was inducted into the department began laughing.  They thought it was hilarious that I, not even a true employee, but a temporary worker, had been chosen and photographed for the Intranet.  I felt a bit like Cinderella on a pedestal.  *flash* *flash*  *flashflash* *flashflashflash*.

And then right when I thought he was done- he thanked me and went back to the other side of the room to convince the other two women to have their pictures taken- he begins studying me again, and comes back a minute later:  "Hey, sorry, can I get one more shot of you doing something else."

In a moment, there I was again.  *flash* *flash*  *flashflash* *flashflashflash*. *flash* *flash*  *flashflash* *flashflashflash*.  Wondering if I had some sort of unique photogenic face.  I never had anybody mention any such quality in me before.  *flash* *flash*  *flashflash* *flashflashflash*.

And finally, the torture was over and I sat pondering if I would ever allow anyone to photograph me again.
Maybe I should proceed to go about with a paper bag over my head, so as not to distract other drivers.  It could be dangerous.

But Valentines Day will sweep by me without any disturbances to my ego and self-image.
After all, if I had someone to spoil, it would be EVERY day.



Your  
DarkGirlladehli


Yahoo mail generated a random Valentine for me.  I thought it was so gaggy...I would share it.

Dear sugar cookie,

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways. Your style is more memorable than the Grand Canyon. You are simply luminous; a god among men. I feel tingly and giddy at the mention of your lovely name. 

Yours and yours alone,
Yahoo Mail

Ammunition for Cupid

So as February rolls in I find myself facing another Valentine's day in which I don't have a significant other.

Uhm- answer, NOYB.  Okay, that's a joke.
The answer is clear.  I give Cupid too much ammunition.

Actually, I think it's pretty dumb- seriously?  One day in which we force men to feel OBLIGATED to do something sweet?  A day in which our money is suckered from us for that over-priced teddy-bear holding a red heart?  Dumb.  I'm too practical for Valentine's Day.

Also, the candy is GROSS.  G. R. O. S. S.  Gross.  I like dark chocolate though.  *hint* *hint*  Anything organic over 65% will do.  And no roses.  I like Tiger Lilies.

But about giving Cupid his ammunition.  The day sparks some pretty funny memories from my past.  All of my...romancers.

I don't know how to flirt.  Honest to goodness-- it feels awkward and if I picture myself doing it-- I feel sappy, dumb, and ...awkward.

I did have my share of courters in school though though.  They offered me candy their mothers had bought and begged me to be their girlfriend.  It didn't swell my head any.  They didn't understand.  I was taught against inter-racial marriages.

So a while back we stopped in Walmart for some "milk".  Dad found a shortage and called the rest of us into the store.  I went browsing the cabinet trying to find the right gauge milk, a crowd of men all around eyeballing the casings.  Then the clerk comes by with the cabinet key and unlocks it.

I notice his ears flushing, his neck.  Strange.
"What kind do you want?"  He asks.
"22." I replied.  "Yellow top."
Pause.  "...Are you 18?"  He wouldn't look at me directly but he was coloring more and more.
"I'm...21."  I returned with raised eyebrows.
He turned with the armful and went back to the counter to disperse the goods.
I got in line.
An older man was checking everyone out.  When it was my turn to be checked out he turned it over to Corey.  By now, Corey looked like a faun, his skin almost crimson against his black hair.  He fidgeted nervously with the register drawer.

I kept my eyes down, scared that if I watched his behavior too closely he'd fall over and pass out from blood-pressure issues.  I was kind of nervous myself, wearing only a T-shirt with my hair in a braid revealing my ugly flat head and flat face.  Somebody's gonna love these flat cheekbones someday.

After ringing the milk up he asked, "Can I see your ID?"
I balked.  Sure, I'm way over 18 but... that thing has my phone number, my address, my weight...everything!!
I procured it.  He seemed to take way too long to look at it.

And then, shaking nervously, he slid the noisy bag of milk across the counter and I turned with my family and left.  Got a little teasing from mother in the parking lot- as if I hadn't been aware the entire time.  Typical Milk Man.  Went back to see Corey a couple weeks ago, but there were clean out of "milk".



Your
Bonnie

Things My Mother Says-- That Make Me Laugh

Mothers are renowned for their pearls of wisdom, their wive's tales, and the things they say that make you go:  "Like yeah, right!"

It's not that you want to disagree.  But what she has told you makes ever so little since and yet somehow deep inside you're sure it's got to be true. But how?

Here are some of the things my mother says to me that make me laugh:

They are things that I will probably say one day-- when I am a mother.

-- Why are you always trying to be different?
    I'm not trying mom.  I don't have to.  I just AM different.

-- You don't marry someone unless God reveals it to you.
     Okay, okay.  Got it.

--Is he another one of those with a "revelation" that she is his wife?
   Uhm....I thought you weren't s'posed to marry anyone without a revelation.

-- Guys usually pick a girl who is like his mother.  Girls will usually pick someone like their father.
    I thought God had a hand in this.  You tell me to let God pick my spouse.

--  When you've found the right one, you'll just know.  You'll just know.
     No comment.  It's true, but I have no comment on this one.  So you think I'm likely to pick someone who is a lot like my dad- but I have to let God pick my spouse, and when it's the right one- I"LL JUST KNOW!  K- this is awesome!

-- Don't worry about it.  It'll happen soon enough and before you know it.
    Right.  You've been happily married for 21 years.  21 years have distorted your memory of how I feel right now.

-- You'll understand when you're married.
    AKA - it's something you just can't say so I'll have to be just as cryptic when I get there.  Got it.

-- If you act like that you'll never get married.
    I thought you said to be yourself- there's someone for everyone.

-- You'll think differently when you have kids.
 What kids?  Now you're acting like I will for sure get married.  There's someone for everyone- right.  Got it.

--  You're going to marry some mamsy-pamsy.
    Uhm....no-- he'll be the one God gives me and he'll probably be a lot like my dad.

-- You'll probably marry some cowboy and be poor.
    He who has a barn full of horses is wealthy in spirit.

--Maybe it isn't God's will for you to have horses.
   Yeah, the Lord made me to be born into the world wish such a passion just so he can beat it out of me and force me to be happy in an apartment with a city-slicker who can't even drive a nail to hang a picture... you know, that mamsy pamsy you prophesied of.

-- Don't talk like that with all those big words.  Girls with sense in their head and talents intimate guys.
    Good.  That'll chase all the simpletons away and leave Mr. Amazing standing there just for me!!  A renaissance man!

-- Lemme see your pictures.  Yeah... your selection looks pretty poor.
    Selection?

-- You'll chase all the good ones away acting like that.
    Good ones?  Come again?!

-- You're "boy-crazy"!
    How come?  Because the one I was curious to get to talk to made me feel unwelcome from the word "Go" and an entire year later my curiosity turns to someone I had foregone showing curiosity about because of the previous curiosity?!

-- You're past that "stage".  Your hormones have settled.
    Good to know.  I think that's why it took me an entire year to pick myself up, dust myself off, get out there and show some interest.


Truth is, I love my mother and in no way wanted any of this to sound offensive to you mothers out there. Truth is, all of this will probably make sense one day, contradictory as it sounds to me now.  And truth is, I'll probably be saying the same thing one day.  I'll understand when I'm married.

I hope my mother's words inspired you.  Perhaps I can learn from you mothers out there who would like to comment and share your own and your mother's words of wisdom for my young future with me.

Your
Pearl Oyster

Two More Poems

So I have two more poems here.  I think the second one is better but:  they're both pretty neat.


That You Have Trials Too


I never thought until just now
That you had trials too:
Those days that beat upon your flesh.
You trudge the path
Free dragging, shoulders sagging.
The people see an ordinary man:
Dirty plates, the apron,
A meager pocket tip.
--But I see a king.
There's still a fire in your eye
When at day's end you throw the towel,
Turn the key.
Those shoulders square by morning.
That chest houses a lion's strength.
Still, I failed to think that you had trials.
I thought I was the only one
With days that quench my spirit
'ere half of it was run.
People rail against you
For a fault not quite your own.
The biting words, the tip-less table
The thoughtless waste you scrape
Into heaps of filth;
And the bare plates of thanklessness
For your pleasant smile, gentle manner.
All the good about you
Un-noticed, Unappreciated
For their lust of self-fulfillment.
But I see Deity's son
As you bow your head and pray:
Brow knit, lips trembling
In search of words unforgeable.
There's a Life in your spirit
This cesspit does not know.
Their worst tortures cannot break you.
I never thought until just now
That you had trials too.
The ebbing wave is no weaker.
The setting sun burns no less fervently.


This one is a bit more modern and yet, I hope, Poignant.

Mutual Friend


I see we have a mutual friend.
His name is Jesus.  Where did you meet Him?
He sits beside me in church many times.
I take Him with me everywhere.
He is a good friend because He listens a lot.
But I understand that sometimes He wants to talk too.
He says only good things.
We've been friends for many years and never had a fight. --
Well-- there have been times I let Him down;
But He is ALWAYS a good friend to me,
Even when I wasn't ready to apologize.
I see we have a mutual friend.
I can't be jealous really.  It's not like He spends
More time with you than me-- unless you invite Him over more.
He never turns down the invitation and
He'll never leave too early either.
He's so Awesome it's impossible for Him to ever stay too late.
There's no such thing as time when He's around.
He shows me all the coolest things about Himself and His Life.
I always love spending time with my friend Jesus.
Seems you and I both like that.
I see we have a mutual friend.
He's spoken highly of you to me--
Though He never speaks badly of anyone.
I'm sure He's said some pretty nice things about me
Even after I didn't invite Him over for a while last week.
I was just so busy.  But that's just how great He is!
I see we have a mutual friend.
He pointed you out to me in that crowd--
Said you were His son and He loved you.
He thought I might like to get to know you a little.
May I introduce myself?  I see we have a mutual friend.



Thanks for reading.  Leave a comment and let me know what you think of my blog!
Yours,

The Author
Laurisa

My Recipe Book

I'm a foodie.  I LOVE food.  Boy do I love food.  

My grandfather gave me this book.  Some relatives had sent it as an encouragement gift to my grandmother when she was ill in the hospital before she passed away.  However, she never had the strength or chance to use it.  I debated for a fair while as to what to do with it.  Something kept pressing me to turn it into a recipe book.  Now, that is what it is. 

I began it by honoring my mother and grandmother in it.

I tried to use my best handwriting....tried.

I began with my favorite dish.

I continued with my next favorite dishes.

Notice how they are all spicy.  The third page was Beef and Kidney Bean Chili but the picture disappeared before I could blog it.

I wrote these recipes as my mother did.  She wrote very vaguely and simply because she knew what she was doing and she improvises a little each time she cooks.

I do not know what I am doing but I improvise every time I cook.  It usually always turns out.  I like gourmet meals as much as the easy casserole dishes.  Thing is, I like to go out and eat the gourmet things more.  

When I travel, I like to hit off the beaten path restaurants and try new things.  Each menu must be explored.

My spice cabinet shall NEVER be dull.

Signed,

Your Roux Master

Advocate For the Dark Side

Hmmm...The Dark Side- good for you it is!

So most of my friends and family laugh at me as I poo-poo Hershey's and such candy bars.
And they'll wrinkle their noses as I hork down wads of 70% and darker chocolate.  90% can be a little too bitter but some rainy days....just call for it!
My favorite blend is the 85%- PERFECT.  I like it infused with chili-peppers too for that slow-burn in the throat.  Sensational.

I'm not addicted to it though- as my mother often warns me of.  The caffeine will keep me up - or dreaming some pretty interesting stuff- if I eat a piece too close to bedtime.  The serving size is four pieces.  I eat one piece every three days or so.  I consume a two serving bar in about a month.  So I'm not addicted.  I just like Dark Chocolate.

Anyways, for those of you who have shunned, shirked, or choked on the bitter stuff- or who have never....DARED....to try it- take a look at what this website I stumbled upon has to say about it's health benefits.

Chocolate is good for you.
NO!  It isn't.
Dark chocolate is.  And Marksdailyapple will walk you through some of the AMAZING good things it does for you.

MARKSDAILYAPPLE

So now I have a thing or two to say when folks distort their faces as I swirl some hunk of the dark side into my hot-chocolate mix.  Hmmm-a toast to health.  It's no wonder only South American royalty was allowed to drink it.


Signed
Your Chocoholic
Advocate for the Dark Side

My Brown Christmas

So, my brown Christmas in retro-spect.

Well, it was a little frosty, and I look Russian... or like some Cossack who went American-West and Cumberland.  (Notice the coon-tail hat).  Okay, I hid the coon-tail.  That's a rabbit-fur cap and it kept me quite warm.

Me, pointing at snow to make sure you can see it.

Olivia showing you snow.

Abby and Olivia

Cousin Boaz. Sho Hanshum

Gabriel and Cousin Emma by re-frozen snow-puddles

Boaz right before his fingers froze

Me, doinking around on the ice

Hey ya'll, Here I is!

I actually passed my Northerner initiation when I ran outside in nothing but a shirt, skirt, and socks to give some departing friends an item they had forgotten.

Still, I like to bundle.  I hate being cold.

probably warming my fingers here.

Loving the tree.

Me. Me. And Me.

The day isn't complete

without me trying something crazy.

And my brother

following suit.

Gabriel and Emma

Olivia and Abby

Abby and her chunk of ice

Da Munchkins

Olivia took a neat picture of this heart shaped leaf.
I like it enough to blog it- even though I'm grinchy about all that romantic sleigh-ride stuff. 

Olivia

Me helping to make "Cajun Stew"
The family wanted to call it gumbo.
Correction.  Gumbo must contain Okra.
Gumbo should also contain seafood of some sort, but you may still call it Gumbo without.
As long as it contains Okra.
This was Cajun Stew.  It had neither okra nor seafood.

 Cool fact:  Gumbo is an African word meaning Okra.

2nd Cool fact:  Okra is native to Africa and is very healthy for you.

3rd Cool fact:  The slime it produces that you dislike- is REALLY good for you.

Me and my best friend Emily

Me and Emily playing our first game of chess in years

It's a strange thing to see two Gemini's actually sit down to a slow game of chess.
It's a strange thing for me to commit to such a game.
But you just saw it.
Mark that off your list of things to see before you die.

Me winning at chess.  That's another strange thing.

Check-mate

Me drinking hot tea and waiting for my white-Christmas.
Didn't happen.

Game of spoons with family and friends
We did not have enough spoons, so we threw in a few knives.
Made the game all the more brutal- I mean, fun.

Abby and Miko.

Well, that's all folks!!

Hope you had a Merry Christmas!

Your Bumble