Obsessions? I have many. |

Let the Music Play

Posted on June 15, 2010 by Megan

I think it’s an annual tradition on my blog[s] that I do a post where I put iTunes on shuffle and tell you what 30 songs play. It helps flex my sometimes tired writing muscles and rescue me from boredom when there’s nothing to watch on my DVR. Here’s last year’s post.

Seeing as it’s a tradition and all, I can’t disappoint my readers [all 1 of you] now can I? Plus I need documented proof that my taste in music really is as schizophrenic as I claim it is. [Hmmm, maybe I should reconsider this whole idea now that I see it in writing] Oh well, here we go!

Faces Going Places – Jose Vanders. A great young artist out of the UK you’ve probably never heard of.
The Acid Queen – The Who. You can thank the boyfriend for this one. He introduced me to the music of The Who via Tommy at The Rep. Yes, I had no idea what songs they sang or that they even sang good music, but I was proven wrong. Dang that boyfriend. My only saving grace was handily beating him at pinball during intermission 🙂
St. Judy’s Comet – Paul Simon. I have to be honest, I hadn’t heard this song until this little exercise but I find it quite enjoyable. I mean, who doesn’t like Paul Simon?
My Boo – Ghost Town DJ’s. aaaaaand the schizophrenia begins. Yes, I’m a fan of 90’s hip-hop and yes I actually remember the words to this song.
Never Surrender – Corey Hart. Did I mention I’m an 80’s music addict? C’mon, admit it, you know you are too… As a side note, did you know this song was 5 minutes long? That’s a lot of 80’s pop musicality.
Oh Yeah – Yello. I told you I was an 80’s music addict. Now do you believe me? I love the ch-chchikaaah’s in this song, btdubs.
Hold Me – Fleetwood Mac. Anytime a Fleetwood Mac song begins to play I smile. I don’t know what it is, but I like it. Plus, there’s some cowbell in this and I hear it’s a great prescription for fevers.
Jungle Love – The Time. Embarrassing, really embarrassing even if it is an early Prince track, but I can’t help but sing along with the “oh-wee-oh-wee-oh’s”.
Farther Along – Sam Cooke & the Soul Stirrers. “Oh cheer up my brothers live in the sunshine”. I need this reminder every so often.
Run Around – Blues Traveler. Ok this song? This song right here? Was one of my childhood jams. I LOVE[D] Blues Traveler and even had this on cassette. [For you young’uns out there, before invisible .mp3 files and CDs, there used to be these small plastic boxes with ribbon on gears inside. We’d put these magical boxes in a boombox, Walkman, or car stereo and our favorite music would play. It was truly amazing.]
What Have You Done For Me Lately – Janet Jackson. This song and I go waaaaay back. When I was just a toddler running and dancing around my parents’ house in diapers I learned the words to “Nasty” and this was the next song on the cassette, so I learned the words to its intro as well. In fact, my parents video taped me dancing and singing “Nasty” and the intro to this song, which you can watch on YouTube.
One Vision – Queen. My dad’s love of Queen was obviously passed down to me.
Be My Baby – The Ronettes. Fitting, since I carried a watermelon today.
Something Happened on the Way to Heaven – Phil Collins. Early 90’s Phil, is there anything better?
Then Came You – Dionne Warwick & the Spinners. Did I also mention I enjoy music from the 70’s?
What a Fool Believes – The Doobie Brothers. I rest my case.
Girls Just Want to Have Fun – Cyndi Lauper. You can’t say you’re a fan of 80’s pop and not have this song.
Sisters are Doing it for Themselves – Eurythmics. I cannot express my love for Eurythmics eloquently enough.
Mo Money Mo Problems – Notorious B.I.G. May he rest in peace.
Inside – Sting. Sting is my favorite artist of all time. Seriously, I cannot get enough of his music. Perfection, every.single.time.
The Boys Are Back In Town – Thin Lizzy. Yep, I also like classic rock. This is a sunroof open kinda song.
Yesterday – The Beatles. My favorite band of all time [closely followed by The Police]. This song is just so beautiful and I love the melody. McCartney is a musical genius.
Constellations – Jack Johnson. Obligatory college leftover. Surprisingly I can still listen to it. Not my favorite Jack Johnson, though.
Hey Baby – Bruce Chanel. My parents raised my sister and me on Oldies. I’m pretty sure this was played on a weekly basis.
Anyone Else But You – The Moldy Peaches. Anyone else a Juno soundtrack fan?
Loose Ends – Imogen Heap. If you haven’t heard of Imogen YouTube her now. This woman is amazing. She can and does make beautiful music from a radiator, a sweeping broom, and any other household sound you can think of.
Can’t Stop – Missy Elliot. Yeah, I listen to rap too. Missy is a favorite, even if I can’t understand half of the lyrics to her songs, her beats are sick. [Did I really just type that?]
Chameleon – Elton John. After going to his the Face2Face tour with Billy Joel with my sister I have become an even bigger fan of his music. A true entertainer and, I dare say, he gets better with age [without a shadow of a doubt].
Brown Eyed Girl – Steel Pulse. Is there any better summer beach music than this reggae standard? I didn’t think so.
Jesus & Gravity – Dolly Parton. Ever since my sister and I skated on/polished wood floors to Dolly’s “9 to 5” record I’ve been a fan. She’s like the Betty White of the country music world.

Life’s a Stitch…

Posted on June 11, 2010 by Megan

Sunday, I spent my evening mourning the loss of Rue McClanahan while having a “Golden Girls” marathon. I also began a new hobby: needlepoint. Monday, I turned 26.

I’m not sure what spurred this current “obsession” with needlepoint, but I’m pretty sure it had to do with these darling key fobs I found online several weeks ago, specifically the “cosmo” and “pig” fobs. As soon as I saw them I thought, “What a cute gift! I could do that!” and thus began my quest into the great unknown of needlepoint. A Facebook/Twitter friend suggested a store in Little Rock where I could start my journey and Saturday, I dragged my boyfriend to Yarn Mart [Quick, somebody get that man a cookie!] to find my first needlepoint canvas. I’ve been hooked ever since!!

I was confused as to why all of a sudden this hobby had consumed my thoughts. Then I began thinking about the lovely childhood weekends I spent alternating between my grandmothers’ homes, which I’ve mentioned in previous posts (HERE and HERE). Thinking back, I faintly remember sewing at Ottie’s house and of those memories I most vividly remember her tracing illustrations onto muslin for me to cross-stitch. Currently, cross-stitch isn’t appealing to me, but maybe one day…

Ottie was a very talented needleworker (is that a word?), making needlepoint stockings for my sister and me [that we still use every Christmas] and small pillows with pictures of our childhood pups Sugar and Isabelle [that still grace our beds in our parents’ house]. My mom also reminded me that Ottie helped stitch the beautiful needlepoint altar rail kneeling cushions in my hometown church.

So perhaps this sudden “obsession” isn’t so random in the grand scheme of things. Maybe it’s just in my blood…

Why I want to move…

Posted on May 27, 2010 by Megan

[See also: Why I despise my downstairs frat boy neighbors]

11:40: Just got off the phone with Adam and am walking back to my bedroom.

11:41: Changed into my PJs, ready to read Jen Lancaster and fall into a sweet sweet slumber

11:42:30: Is that ABBA?

11:42:35: It IS ABBA, but what song?

11:42:45: OMG the frat boys are blaring “Dancing Queen”

11:42:47: I hit the floor, ear to carpet, listening and giggling at this picture I’ve drawn in my head of frat boys dancing around their apartment and singing “Dancing Queen”

11:43:15: Man, I’m tired. I need to sleep. [Gets up off floor]

11:43:18: But what if the next song is equally entertaining? [Walks and stands in the corner to listen to more music]

11:43:20: What’s this?

11:43:32: It’s The Eagles…

11:43:34: It’s Hotel California

11:44:25: I call Adam.

11:44:27: Adam’s working, and says, “That’s umm interesting” as a I regale him with the scenarios that are popping into my head at this very moment about the neighbors’ playlist.

11:50: Adam tells me he needs to get back to work so he can finish laundry and pack to visit me on Thursday.

11:50:10: “Don’t go!” I shout, not wanting to miss the opportunity to share the next song choice with him.

11:50:30: Distract Adam with my sleepy ramblings while I try to figure out the next song…

11:50:35: It’s the Bee Gees, not nearly as random, we say our goodbyes.

11:51:35: We are done saying our goodbyes.

11:53: Oooh! Foreigner, “Feels Like the First Time”

11:54: Seriously, WHAT are THEY doing down there…

11:54:45: Ok, the charm of this is starting to wear off. Maybe it’s something to do with the fact that it’s almost midnight on a school night.

11:54:46: Did I just say school night?

11:54:50: Head to bathroom to wash face, brush teeth, etc. etc.

11:58: Get into bed with Jen’s new book.

11:58:09: New Song!!

11:58:10: No. Freaking. Way.

11:58:11: Jump out of bed and begin to dance.

11:58:30: Grab hairbrush and lip-synch to Manfred Mann “Blinded by the Light”

12:04: Ok, seriously, Megan. Get in bed and stay there, you have to be at work in 8 hours.

12:04:30: Fleetwood Mac begins.

12:04:45: It’s “Dreams”. Fitting since it’s way past my bedtime.

12:04:50: Continue reading Jen.

12:06: Oh no they didn’t. I KNOW they didn’t just skip “Dreams”.

12:06:10: I’m pissed and I’m tired.

12:07: An unidentifiable song begins blaring.

12:07:30: I text Adam saying I’m about to go postal.

12:08: No response.

12:09: Continue reading.

12:10: This music is getting louder (and not any better).

12:14: I call the courtesy officer pager.

12:14:30: Courtesy officer calls me right as the music is shut off.

12:14:32: Of Course.

12:14:40: Apologize for bothering her, tell her I can’t hear their music anymore, and not to worry about it.

12:14:45: She tells me not to hesitate calling her back if the music comes back to an unacceptable level.

12:15: Remember nothing after this point.

7:10: I wake up with “Blinded by the Light” stuck in my head.

image via MAZZALIARMADI.IT on Flickr

Perfect Spring Pasta

Posted on April 5, 2010 by Megan

Nothing says spring like a pollen covered car. It’s the sign that spring has sprung, that new life is blossoming, and that light, yet flavorful meals are a comforting dinner. My new standby pasta dish? Thanks to Pioneer Woman? Fits the bill perfectly. I mean, seriously, what says spring like lemon? And when you combine that with a bit of garlic and toss with some pasta? It’s not going to disappoint.

You see, one of my favorite movies is Julie & Julia. At the beginning of the movie, Julie arrives home from a stressful day at work and begins whipping up a Chocolate Cream Pie. She says:

“You know what I love about cooking? I love that after a day when nothing is sure, you can come home and absolutely know that if you add egg yolks to chocolate and sugar and milk it will get thick. It’s such a comfort.”

Well, this dish serves as that comfort for me. Only my day wasn’t stressful and my ingredients are sour cream, lemon, garlic, and butter. Nevertheless, after you’ve whipped it together once it’s practically mindless to whip up again. And mindless recipes that always come out right? Never hurt anyone.

Baked Lemon Pasta
adapted from The Pioneer Woman

Ingredients

half pound Thin Spaghetti
2 Tablespoons Salted Butter
1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
1 cloves Garlic, Minced
1 whole Lemon, Juiced And Zested
1 cup Light Sour Cream
Kosher Salt to taste
Grated Parmesan Cheese
Chopped Flat-leaf Parsley

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Cook spaghetti until al dente.
In a skillet, melt butter with olive oil over LOW HEAT. When butter is melted, add minced garlic. Turn off heat. Squeeze lemon juice into the pan.
Add sour cream and stir mixture together. Add lemon zest and salt. Taste, then add more salt if necessary.
Combine mixture with drained spaghetti. Transfer spaghetti to an oven safe dish.
Bake, covered with foil, for 15 minutes.
Remove foil and bake for an additional 7 to 10 minutes. (Don’t bake too long or the pasta will dry out.)
Squeeze a little more lemon juice over the top after you remove it from the oven.
Top with Parmesan cheese and chopped parsley. Enjoy!

Servings: 3

I Love to Laugh

Posted on March 26, 2010 by Megan

Growing up my sister and I split our weekends at our Grandmothers’ homes. This is the last in a series of two reminiscing about those weekends.

On the weekends we stayed with GranMerle, we’d make spaghetti, eat Oatmeal Creme Pies like they were going out of style, play smut, dominoes, and a host of other card games, listen to GranMerle recall moments from her childhood, listen to 8-track tapes, play with the Playmobil dollhouse, and eat the best homemade banana pudding (made by GranMerle, of course). Not to mention accompanying her to her weekly hair appointment, playing Barbies, and generally being her shadow for about 36 hours.

But one of the things I remember most is watching Mary Poppins practically every weekend we stayed with her. [Which led me to buy it when the limited DVD edition came out]. What is it about Mary Poppins that is so intriguing? Is it the fantasy sidewalk chalk world they jump into? The practically perfect measuring tape Mary uses? The spoonfuls of sugar she encourages the children to take medicine with? Or maybe dancing chimney sweeps, which I’m pretty sure led to me inquiring to my parents about a chimney sweep of our own once or twice. There’s also that hilarious guy named Dick van Dyke…Through it all, I fondly remember Grandmerle often opening up her hide-a-bed sofa for us to pile up and watch Mary Poppins on, she would always be totally concentrated on the movie just as we were, until we bribed her for another Oatmeal Creme Pie, that is…

I don’t know if it was coincidence or not that Julie Andrews had the starring role in both movies that we obsessively watched at our Grandmothers’ homes, but either way it helped me name her one of my favorite actresses of all time. To this day, I cannot get over how much love our grandmothers gave us when we visited them. I’m sure they could quote the movies in their sleep, but they never once complained about having to watch them over and over and over again with us. There truly is nothing like a grandmother’s love.

The Hills are Alive…

Posted on March 26, 2010 by Megan

Growing up my sister and I split our weekends at our Grandmothers’ homes. This is the first in a series of two reminiscing about those weekends.

On the weekends we stayed with Ottie, we’d make homemade potato chips, walk across the street to Maxine’s Diner (now Mama Max’s) for burgers, “ice skate” on [aka polish] her hardwood floors to a Dolly Parton record, play with our aunts’ old Barbies and make their furniture out of shoeboxes, have a nightcap of Coca-Cola in a small glass, and pick cherries off her cherry tree. Not to mention playing with her dog, Foo-Foo, planting flowers in her flower beds, and generally being her shadow for about 36 hours.

But the thing I remember most is watching The Sound of Music practically every weekend we stayed with her. So it shouldn’t surprise you that it is one of my favorite movies of all time. In fact, I consider the opening scene to be one of the best in the industry. It’s perfect: the blue ski, the lush mountains, the perfection in Julie Andrews’ voice. Every time I watch it, I want to be her. There are so many things about the movie that I love, like the confidence she finds in herself, because really? What is so fearsome about 7 children? Then there’s the strapping Christopher Plummer as Captain von Trapp. I mean, hello. Then towards the end of the movie there’s one of the best scenes, the talent contest. I remember Maddie and me laughing and laughing at the lady who bows her way across the stage to accept her award, then bows her way off the stage with flowers in her arms when we watched it with Ottie, sometimes even rewinding just to laugh some more.

I don’t know how Ottie never got tired of watching this movie over and over again with us. I mean even classics can get old after a while, but she was always there, in her chair doing needlepoint or a word puzzle or absolutely nothing but watching along with us. It’s just one of the many ways I remember Ottie today.

Up next? Weekends with GrandMerle…

Year in Review

Posted on March 24, 2010 by Megan

It’s that time of year again. The time of year where I reflect over the last 365ish days of my life and post my observations. For your reading pleasure, I present 2009 vs. 2010 (thus far):

2009: Strangers who think flirting while driving is attractive are wrong, extremely.
2010: Cars with random sayings written on their back window should be taken off the road. Today’s quote? “Porno Country” written in white shoe polish.
2009: One of the best feelings in the world is getting mail that is not a) a bill, b) junk, or c) expected, especially when said mail is on handmade stationery. That is quite possibly the most heartwarming envelope to open.
2010: Speaking of handmade stationery, I began designing my own stationery this year. You should check it out 🙂
2009: Reading in bed until late at night can be quite relaxing.
2010: Watching Food Network in bed is the best way to unwind and head to dreamland.
2009: Season 8 of American Idol was not hyped up enough.
2010: Season 9 of American Idol was horribly over-hyped. Can we just go ahead an give Crystal Bowersox the title?
2009: Ellen DeGeneres is the new Oprah. If you don’t believe me Google their ratings.
2010: Ellen DeGeneres is the newest American Idol judge. Watch out, she’s about to take over the World.
20o9: Using Facebook as a verb is acceptable.
2010: Using “tweet” as a verb is acceptable, so is using “tweep” as a noun.
2009: Watching a wannabe model have a nervous breakdown because ANTM or Make Me a Supermodel wants to chop her hair off is good television, no matter how bad you feel for her.
2010: Watching crazy housewives act like high school mean girls [or mafia members] all season and then meet up for a reunion long after the filming has wrapped is good television.
2009: Long late night phone calls with your boyfriend who lives 30 minutes away are a great way to relax.
2010: Long late night phone calls/video chats with your boyfriend, who moved 8 hours away last May, are my favorite way to end a long day.
2009: My iPod is one of my proudest investments. Every song it plays is either “my jam”, “my favorite song ever”, or a song “I LOVE”. I’m not ashamed.
2010: My iPhone is my single greatest investment ever. How did I survive without it? [see also: Words with Friends]
2009: Despite looking like you could break your back doing the workout, Afro-Latin is one of the most fun workouts I have ever done…despite being a sweaty mess afterwards.
2010: Despite hearing how cheesy it is or remembering the unfortunate neon leotards from 80’s that many still [wrongly] associate with it, Jazzercise is the single best workout I’ve ever done, not to mention the only one I’ve stuck with for over 4 months without complaint. I? LOVE. IT!
2009: Twitter is overrated, sort of.
2010: Twitter is how I make it through my work day.
2009: Facebook is overrated.
2010: Since when did Facebook become the place for High School “spirit weeks”. I don’t care about the color of your underwear, your birthplace, or the celebrity you most resemble. What happened to original status updates??
2009: Mini watermelons from Fresh Market are a seasonal yet delectable treat.
2010: Cupcakes from Cupcakes on Kavanaugh are a delectable treat.
2009: Why have I not seen “Princess Bride”?
2010: Why have I not seen “This Is It”?
2009: Cooking/Baking is my new stress relief.
2010: Jazzercise is my new [and hopefully permanent] stress relief.
2009: Girls’ nights will teach you more about your friends that you would know otherwise.
2010: Girls’ nights, with friends you can be truly yourself around, are few and far between.
2009: Despite how silly you look while doing it, the Masala Bhangra workout really does work.
2010: Despite how much of a mistake they were in the 90’s, Hammer Pants are back. did we not learn anything?
2009: Did I mention I’m going to see Billy Joel? In concert? With Elton John?
2010: Did I mention I’m going to my favorite beach this summer?!?!?!

The Trip that Led to the Best Meal of My Life…

Posted on March 23, 2010 by Megan

Adam and I took a short road trip to St. Louis to visit my sister and see the sights just over a year ago. In the days leading up to it I was obsessive about a restaurant I had found online, as well as a museum my sister had told me about. In fact, obsessive may be a bit of an understatement. The entire trip ended up becoming quite the palette pleaser, except for Adam’s idea to eat at White Castle for lunch on our drive up. From wine and nuts, to soul food OMG-ness and custard, this post is best read not on an empty stomach.

The restaurant was “Sweetie Pie’s at the Mangrove” and the owner was a former backup singer for Ike and Tina Turner [So umm, yeah. Cool!!!]. Food Network had featured it on “Diners, Drive Ins, and Dives” so I had high expectations. It was fantastic.

Served cafeteria style, you had your choice from 5 entrees coupled with 2 sides of your choice, cornbread, and an optional dessert. Here you see (clockwise) the crispiest and flakiest catfish I have ever put my lips to, the cheesiest 4 cheese mac and cheese cooked to perfection, a big hunk of moist cornbread, and the buttery deliciousness of mashed potatoes. For dessert I had an amazing peach and apple cobbler and a nibble of Adam’s INSANE banana pudding. I think I said OMG around 100 times while consuming this. The portions were HUGE, so huge in fact I had to take about half of what you see to my sister. Words cannot describe how great this meal was. I think this was the first time in my life that I was too full to clean my plate, and that was the biggest disappointment of this meal.

RIP

Posted on January 24, 2010 by Megan

This weekend, I lost some of my closest friends. The kind of friends that you can depend on to help you through the worst of times, bringing you joy simply by being in their presence. This weekend? These friends plummeted to a horrifying death that ended on my kitchen floor.

These friends cooked with me, like trusty sous chefs.

They were dependable, helpful, and perfect.

These friends? Were my measuring spoons, and not just any measuring spoons. Spoons I had searched at least a year for and found at the one and only Anthropologie. These spoons were me. They were my soul in spoon form. Delicate, colorful, cheery, and positive. They were all that and more. One even measured a “pinch”. I mean? Come. On. How precious is that?

But now? Now they have a new life. A life broken, lying on my kitchen counter, because I can’t bear to part with them just yet, and a life of unspoken dreams, helping me make Boeuf Bourguignon and Coq au Vin.

Parting is such sweet sorrow.

Comfort Food

Posted on January 24, 2010 by Megan

Last week I had a hankering to cook up some comfort food.

I wanted something easy, that used ingredients I already had in my pantry, and was quick. I dig through my cabinets and see some whole wheat/whole grain bread, sugar and cinnamon. I immediately become reminded of my childhood and having breakfasts of Cinnamon Toast.

The memories flood my mind as soon as the aroma fills my apartment and I’m in a nostalgic heaven. Memories of flouring the kitchen while “baking” before mom wakes up, helping my grandmas bake on the weekends, and more recently finding my love of cooking – one recipe at a time – bring a smile to my face.

This cinnamon toast is the epitome of comfort food to me and has quickly become my breakfast staple.

Meggie’s Cinnamon Toast

Ingredients

1 slice Whole grain/whole wheat bread
1/3 tsp Cinnamon
2/3 tsp Sugar
0 calorie fake butter spray (as much as you prefer)

Directions:

Preheat the oven broiler to high.
Place bread on baking sheet and spray with the fake butter
Mix cinnamon and sugar together, then sprinkle onto the bread.
Place in oven and cook until toasted. Be careful not to burn.
Devour.

County Fairs

Posted on January 20, 2010 by Megan

I don’t know what it is about fairs, but their sketchy amusements excite me. Last fall, I had the opportunity to accompany a friend and her daughter to our local fair. I was very excited about going, 1) Tilt-A-Whirl! and 2) Funnel Cake, but little did I know what I was getting myself into.

Growing up, my county fairs rarely had any rides. Instead, it was strictly an “old timers” fair with homemade game booths and agriculture competitions. I haven’t been to a “real” fair with rides in probably 10 years and everything I thought I loved about fairs wasn’t quite as I remember…

The Tilt-A-Whirl that I was able to ride 5+ times in a row as a kid? I barely made it through one ride as an adult.

The funnel cake I could practically taste on my lips just by smelling it? I ate maybe half of it before it got to be too sweet for me.

The things I enjoyed, that I didn’t think I would?

Carnival games, I was the Skee Ball champion of our little group.

I also developed a new found appreciation for my parents [all parents, really] who take their children to the fair year after year. Who knew you could blow 40 bucks in the blink of an eye on ride tickets, only use up said tickets in 10 minutes on 4 rides. Seriously, those amusement companies have to be making some serious bank.

Ink.

Posted on January 18, 2010 by Megan

For as long as I can remember, I’ve had an obsession with pens. Felt tip, gel, fountain. Those are my favorites, but I’m also known to have a few ballpoints scattered in there. As a kid, I was known to have mugs bulging with pens randomly placed in shelves around my room. Apparently, that hasn’t changed as I’ve gotten older, because my pen and pencil holder on my desk is totally full of pens. So much so, that I can barely pull one out or put one back in.

Colorful pens make mundane meeting notes less mundane.

“Good” pens, the ones that write with hardly any pressure/effort, make my hand hurt less when taking notes and [best of all] are most flattering to my handwriting.

So, if you need to add a little color to your life, grab a pen and doodle for a bit. I promise it will brighten your day, if only for a few seconds.