Musing from the self appointed Gym Czar

Link up with these great ladies.

DVD Thursday & a few Instant Watch

It was a slow week for DVD's coming in, I found a new function with my wii and Netflix that I could instantly watch movies, old TV shows and other things. So I became a little obsessed with those and forgot to return movies quickly like usual. Enjoy!

My dad picked this one up also and the boys just loved it, I had to rent it for them also. Tim Burton movies not always my favorite movies, but this one I actually sat down and watch a little bit. You just fall in love with the rag doll robot characters and want them to survive.

2009PG-1379 minutes

In a postapocalyptic world, a small community of rag-doll robots hides in fear from dangerous machines out to exterminate them. But when a brave newcomer named 9 (voiced by Elijah Wood) joins the group, he inspires them to stand up and fight for their survival. Shane Acker directs this visually stunning animated film co-produced by Tim Burton, which also features the voices of John C. Reilly, Jennifer Connelly and Martin Landau.

Ok if you have Netflix and own a wii, PS3 or Xbox you can get movies Instantly to your TV!!!! I didn't think I would like this feature but then I found so many things that I love and now I'm a tad bit addicted. I mean I haven't watch real TV in a week :). I know I've crazy, but what can I say I have an addictive personality. For those of you who have asked I don't sit and watch a movie or TV, it's usually on while, I'm cooking, data entry, blogging etc.

My Instant TV picks so far:

This was one of my FAVORITE movies when I was little! My dad actually still has it on VHS for me (if you don't know what a VHS is then man I feel old). I had the BIGGEST crush on David Bowie and this movie made it go into over drive. If you haven't seen it then you must see it or even better if you've seen it watch it again. Cole actually sat down and watched it.

1986PG101 minutes

In this Jim Henson-directed fantasy, teenage Sarah (Jennifer Connelly) embarks on a life-altering quest when she attempts to rescue her little brother, Toby (Toby Froud), from the clutches of treacherous Jareth the Goblin King (David Bowie), who lives in a castle surrounded by a giant labyrinth. With just 13 hours to plot a course through the dangerous maze, Sarah must grow up fast, learn her responsibilities and muster supreme courage.

We don't get the movie channels I'm already paying $70 a month for cable so no thank you! But a while back Dexter was on cable, I think it was during the writer strike, so I caught a few episodes and thought it was a good show. Yes a little morbid but I've always like shows that make you think and an eye for an eye in a round about way. I was so excited to see it on the Instant watch! A great show!

2006NR4 discs / 12 episodes

Playing a sympathetic serial killer might sound like a stretch, but former "Six Feet Under" star Michael C. Hall pulls it off in this macabre drama about a likable forensics expert who channels his violent tendencies into knocking off miscreants. Dexter Morgan (Hall) seems so harmless, in fact, that neither his girlfriend (Julie Benz) nor his cop sister (Jennifer Carpenter) suspect the true nature of his extracurricular activities.

After my post last week about Being Erica and mentioning it was like Quantum leap I almost DIED when I saw this on the list for instant watch!!! They have all the seasons a few episodes are only on DVD but most all of them were there so heck sign me up! It was so awesome to watch and catch up on things I missed.

Season 1 he's a boxer, a veterinarian, mafia-hit man, black chauffer, gawky teenager, private detective, sailor, secretary (yes a woman), blind concert pianist, DJ, rabbi and several others.

1989NR3 discs / 9 episodes

In this popular sci-fi series from the early 1990s, Scott Bakula stars as Sam Beckett, a physicist from the future who's figured out a way to travel back through time, fixing other people's mistakes in an attempt to return to the present. With the assistance of his wise-cracking friend Al (Dean Stockwell), Sam leaps into a new life in every episode and faces new challenges -- always hoping that someday he'll leap back home.

Yes I even watched season 2! I couldn't help myself it sucked me in!

In Season 2 Sam is a Retard man, a lawyer, a actor, a scientist, a young boy, a mom (yes another woman), himself when he was in high school, a FBI agent, American Indian, a coroner, pool player, trapeze artist, a kidnapper and a few more

1989NR6 discs / 22 episodes

Time is elastic in this gripping sci-fi series about Sam Beckett (Scott Bakula), a physicist who travels from one era to the next to correct past mistakes by taking over different identities. His only help is wisecracking sidekick Al (Dean Stockwell). This season, he visits 1960 to help newlyweds get on the right path, 1979 to inspire an actor playing Don Quixote, 1957 to defend an African American woman wrongly accused of a crime and much more.

Ok did I say I was addicted? Yes I even got threw season 3 ... lol.

In this season Sam is leaps into Viet Nam to save his brother, a Priest, a fashion photographer, Horror Novelist, a black medical student, a magician, a pregnant teenager (yes another girl), sidekick on a TV show, a chip-n-dale, piano player, a lead signer of a rock band (almost like kiss), bounty hunter, death row convicted man, wrestler and a few more.

1990NR6 discs / 22 episodes

Time-traveling scientist Sam Beckett (Scott Bakula) and his mysterious sidekick, Rear Admiral Albert "Al" Calavicci (Dean Stockwell), who appears in hologram form, right more wrongs that could avert the course of history in the gripping third season of the popular sci-fi series. This year, Beckett winds up in his own brother's Navy SEAL squad; inhabits the body of a horror novelist; polices a beauty pageant; and more.

Grape Sheep Etsy shop OPEN

My friend Racheal (Rachael's Space) that helps me on so many of my craft projects aka the purse, blanket, the Super Mom cape and so many has opened her own Etsy shop. She is an amazing knitter and makes beautiful yarns that she spins herself! You'll love it and if you're in need of anything for a project please stop by and see her!

If any of you play farmville on Facebook you'll know this, they have a purple sheep you can get so that is the name of her etsy page. Check it out: Grape Sheep

Here are a few she has up right now:

Strawberry Lemonade

$23.00

Description

Faukland top. Spun Aran weight (heavy worsted about 8wpi). 112 yards. Used Navajo ply to preserve colors. Great for next to the skin wear. Soft and springy. This yarn will felt so hand wash or have fun with your felting project!

Midnight Rainbow

$25.00

Description

What do you get when you dye a natural color Romney wool with a rainbow of colors? This beautiful dark yarn that will work up into subtle stripes. I hope you have as much fun creating with it as I did spinning it.
13 wpi (Light sport)
214yds
Feltable

Purple Gem

$30.00

Description

This super soft 2-ply yarn is squishy and scrumptious. 440 yards of fingering weight (14wpi) merino. I knit a hat for my daughter with it and used less than 70yards. This is a great yarn for close to the skin wear.

Her daughter wearing a hat in the Purple Gem.

Stormy Skies

$6.00

Description

This a fun art yarn. Bulky and fluffy spun with scraps from other projects. 19.5 yards. Will felt nicely.

Cartoons

$23.00

Description

A soft yarn in fun colors that will stripe when knit or crocheted. Great for next to the skin wear. Worsted weight. 104 yards.

WWW ~ Cole's 6th Birthday, Cupcakes & Treats

Oh my what a weekend we had! Friday was Cole's birthday so I made cupcakes for the classroom and gave them each a color book and of course a lolipop rings! The individual cups cake turned out great!!!

Then Saturday was my first Saturday off in a while. It was so nice but it wasn't like it really was a day off! LOL we had a busy day it started early and didn't stop. I was a little sad the lady that filled in for me had a GREAT day, yes just a little jealous ... haha!

Now my second attempt at cupcakes was a cupcake cake ... let's just say it tasted good :). The kids had so much fun and I was so happy to be able to let all the kids enjoy themselves.

Cupcakes for the classroom

My attempt at a cupcake cake!

I learned that the frosting with tips is tricky!!

I had color books with crayons on the tables for the kids.

I obviously can't count I had one extra :)

The kids, some even dressed up!!!

You know how hard it is to get all kids in pic & facing forward!

We had face painting!

Cole loving transformers went for bumble bee!

Yes and a daddy got talked into by daddy's little girl!

Fun with Balloons, Pizza, Cupcakes and toys!

Rick thought my cake would be funny looking so he got Cole a special cake

Check out mom in her "Super Mom" Cape

Only one ding dong had to go dirty with the S M on cake

GG with her 3 grandsons

Cole's BFF from across the street came to the party and his mom Brenda came along. It was so nice to actually sit and talk to her. We're going to put the boys in a parade next weekend. While talking I found she loves the peanut butter treats I bring over so I found two new recipes to try!! I'm so excited I have a new adult friend to talk to, talking to the kids can only take me so far. I even hung out talking to her and her husband for a few hours on Sunday! Yeah, now onto the treats.

Chocolate Yummies

(Nutrition Information)

• 7 Crackers Keebler® Grahams Original
• 2 1/2 cups miniature marshmallows
• 1 package (12 oz., 2 cups) semi-sweet chocolate morsels
• 2/3 cup light corn syrup
• 3 tablespoons butter or margarine
• 1/2 cup crunchy peanut butter
• 3 cups Ready-To-Eat Cereal Rice Krispies®

1. Coat 13 x 9 x 2-inch microwave-safe dish with cooking spray. Arrange KEEBLER GRAHAMS ORIGINAL crackers in single layer in dish, breaking crackers as needed to fit. Sprinkle marshmallows evenly over crackers.

2. Microwave on HIGH 1 minute or until marshmallows are puffy. Remove from microwave. Cool completely.

3. In 2-quart microwave-safe mixing bowl combine chocolate morsels, corn syrup and butter. Microwave on HIGH about 1 1/2 minutes or until chocolate is melted, stirring every 30 seconds. Stir in peanut butter. Add KELLOGG'S RICE KRISPIES cereal, mixing until combined.

4. Spread evenly over marshmallows. Cover and refrigerate about 1 hour or until firm. Cut and store in airtight container in refrigerator.

Peanut Butter & Jelly Crisps

(Nutrition Information)

• 3 tablespoons butter or margarine
• 1 package (10 oz., about 40) regular marshmallows
• - OR -
• 4 cups miniature marshmallows
• 1/3 cup creamy peanut butter
• 6 cups Kellogg's® Rice Krispies® Cereal
• 1/3 cup desired flavor jelly

1. In large saucepan melt butter over low heat. Add marshmallows and stir until completely melted. Remove from heat. Stir in peanut butter until melted.

2. Add KELLOGG'S RICE KRISPIES cereal. Stir until well coated.

3. Using buttered spatula or wax paper evenly press half of the cereal mixture into 8 x 8 x 2-inch pan coated with cooking spray. Spread with jelly. Press remaining cereal mixture on top. Cool. Cut into 2-inch squares. Best if served the same day.

President Brie Stuffed Hamburgers & Strawberry Brie Mini Popovers

My favorite thing to get to review is food ... lol I know it's so bad but really it's more than the want to eat it the fun in trying out new recipes. My mom use to have Brie a lot when she threw parties but I wanted to do more with it then just putting it on crackers.

Rick saw the cheese and was like you're not getting me to eat that ... oh what he want know won't hurt him. I found a Brie stuffed burger on my favorite meal planning site Relish!. I use cheddar cheese for the kids, but Cole ate his up and then had one of ours and loved it! Walmart has Président Brie Cheese for $3.97 for 8 oz! I was able to make dinner and the desert with the one wheel.

Brie Stuffed Burgers

Prep time: 15 minutes Cook time: 15 minutes

1 1/4	pounds ground beef
4	green onions , sliced, divided
2	teaspoons garlic, minced
1	tablespoon lemon juice
1	tablespoon olive oil
4	ounces Brie cheese, rind removed
4	tablespoons mayonnaise
4	kaiser rolls, split
1	tomato , cored and sliced
1/4	head Romaine lettuce, leaves separated
	coarse salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste

Heat the grill to medium-high.

[1] In a small bowl, combine the onions, garlic, lemon juice and a little zest and mash slightly with the back of a spoon. Stir in the olive oil and a dash of salt. Set aside.

[2] Season the beef with salt and pepper and form into equal-size balls of meat. Slice the cheese (1 for each patty). Form a hole inside the ball, add in the cheese and HALF of the chopped onion mixture. Flatten to make patties.

[3] Grill the burgers, turning once or twice, about 10-12 minutes or until thoroughly cooked.

[4] Meanwhile, mix the mayonnaise with the remaining onion mixture. Grill the buns until toasted and spread the mayonnaise on the bottom of the buns and top with the burgers, tomatoes, and lettuce.

KID-FRIENDLY ALTERNATIVE: Kids might want plain burgers!

ALEXIS NOTES: I didn't have green onions so I skipped that part and we didn't have kaiser buns, so Rick picked up a different kind.

And it wouldn't be my place with out a yummy treat to end your meal with!

Strawberry Brie Mini Popovers

Ingredients:

8 oz Brie cheese
8 - 10 oz strawberries (plus more for garnish)
1 tsp or so of sugar to sprinkle over the strawberries, if needed / desired
2 eggs
1 cup all purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon lemon zest
1 cup milk
1 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt

Directions:

Preheat your oven to 450' F. Liberally grease 24 mini muffin tins.
Divide your Brie Cheese into 24 pieces - Take the outside off.
Cut your strawberries into little bite sized pieces.
In a medium bowl, beat eggs slightly with a fork or whisk. Add flour, lemon zest, milk, sugar and salt. Beat until smooth but don't over beat it.
Fill your muffin tins about 2/3 full
Bake for 5 minutes. Reduce the oven temp. to 350' F and continue baking for another 10 minutes, or until they are crusty and golden brown.
Cut a slit in the top of each popover. Put a small spoonful of strawberries inside and then plug up that hole with a piece of cheese.
Put them back in the oven for 5 minutes. Immediately remove them from the pan and serve.

ALEXIS NOTE: When I made it I think it did better as 12 muffins instead of 24. Mine didn't puff up but it could have been me ;). But they sure were tasty still!

Thank you ImStuffed for posting this great recipe. Check it out and say hi here: http://www.mixingbowl.com/message/recipe/view.castle?g=1010883&m=6379222

Thank you BzzAgent for my Président Brie Cheese. I really enjoyed trying new recipes!

I received a product to try and give my opinion on, no money was exchanged for my review of the product.