Just For A Laugh

This is one of my favorite Christopher Walken skits on SNL.

Every time I watch it I laugh out loud!

Picture A Box...

I love the show Lost. It's smart, mysterious and even epic. It's one of the few shows where the creators actually listen to the fans. Side note to writers (who will never actually read this): Would someone please toughen Kate up. She's the only super tracker I've seen that gets caught by the enemy EVERY SINGLE TIME.

Even though I love Lost, I'm glad it's ending next year. More television shows should follow Lost's lead. Tell a story, take us for an amazing ride and then end it. Don't milk the show for money and ratings until it's an emaciated piece of creativity dying on some sound stage floor.

Anyway, I came across this speech by J.J. Abrams (creator of Lost). The speech is from a couple of years ago. It's an interesting look at storytelling and moviemaking. He talks about the idea of a mystery box and imagination as well as the democracy of creativity.

A Writer's Genius Lives in The Wall

I want to share this really wonderful speech by Elizabeth Gilbert, author of Eat, Pray, Love, about creativity and writing. Enjoy.

GNOME

Gnomes like gardens.

Gardens like gnomes.

Here's a garden built for a gnome...

(try clicking on the picture if you want to see it better)

The garden has dill and chives and violas because this particular gnome likes cheesy herb omelets and candied flowers.

Every garden should have a little space for a gnome. Yep.

Read A Book!

It seems that when you watch certain news programs the supposed journalists always choose the loudest and most ignorant "man on the street" to make an uninformed and, frankly, nasty statement about the current hot topic.

To these media pawns I say, "Read a book! Pick up a book and read it. Not propaganda. Not rhetoric. But literature and honest histories. Because every time you read a book your mind opens a bit more and you see the world differently. Then, maybe, you'll learn something new. And after you've read some of these stories, maybe you won't hate your neighbor so much. Maybe you'll understand them a little better. Maybe you won't be used by the media so easily. Maybe you'll make a real, positive impact on the world. Maybe."

It's just a thought.

Gifting

I enjoy the giving of gifts. In fact, I am one of those people that can hardly wait to give a gift. I've tried to restrain from giving gifts too far in advance but usually I fail miserably at that task. If I can make it to within five days of the actual gift-giving extravaganza, that is a triumph. I also like giving gifts at random moments when it is completely unexpected, such as the third Tuesday of a month with the letter "U" in it.

In honor of my love of gifts I've posted some pictures of presents I've recently made for friends and family. I can't reveal all of the recipients because everyone hasn't received their gift yet, but here they are...


A suncatcher.


Stitch markers.


A bracelet for my mom.


Colorful socks for my dad's 60th birthday celebration!


And these stitch markers I gave to me. :o)

The Coconut Adventure

Jonathan loves coconut macaroons dipped in melted chocolate. He loves them like he loves pineapple and ham on his pizza. A whole lot.

I knew that he liked coconut macaroons and, yet, for some reason I had never attempted to make them. Maybe they scared me a bit. To me they looked slightly elaborate in structure. They seemed to be one of those sweet confections that required an extra amount of attention or it would all go horribly wrong.

Yesterday, I must of been feeling extraordinarily courageous because I got it into my head to try and surprise him with coconut macaroons. I went to Martha Stewart for help or at least her website. I found a recipe. Surprisingly, the macaroons did not look too difficult to make. So, I set forth on my coconut adventure and it turned out to be more like a stroll in the park on a perfect spring afternoon. They were super easy to make. It shocked me how easy.

Here they are, sitting around in they toasted, golden deliciousness...


I melted chocolate and even kept myself from sticking my finger in the chocolate and eating it all before it could get to the macaroons.


Then I dipped half of each one into the chocolate...


They are DELICIOUS!

If you like toasted coconut, you have to make these. Do it! Anyone else you know who likes coconut will love you for these. So, go forth on your own coconut adventure and have fun!