Messages of Love...

My friend Heather of the EO is doing a very special thing for a very special little girl. Please drop by her blog when you have a chance and read all about little Tuesday and how you can help.

Thank you...

Wherever there is a human being, there is an opportunity for a kindness. ~Seneca

So Lovely...

Today I had to take a late lunch. And because I had to take a late lunch, I used my lunch to go thrifting.

Does anyone love thrift store shopping as much as I do?

There are a couple of favorite spots I like to shop at for the best stuff ever! One of them being Arc Value Village... Somehow they get the best "junk".

Today I happened to score the following all for $13!

Cottage Living Magazines

3 really good books:

Emily Dickinson's Collected Poems

Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen

Disturbing the Peace by Vaclav Havel

I also got these really cute wannabe Cath Kidston Dishes

some Valentine decor

and this pillow...

Which later inspired me to do this to my dining room...

FUSCHIA FANTASTICO! Yes I did it... I painted one wall of my dining room fuschia! There is no turning back... I love it and I'm looking forward to decorating that one last room that usually sits sad and empty. Eventually I will finish it and make it all my own... and entertain and feed people to no end!

But the really awesome part about my day was what was waiting for my on my front steps!

My long time friend Julie sent me a very coveted Shabby Chic poster I have been wanting for awhile.

Mine is red, even better!

I just don't know where to hang it? Maybe the bathroom... because that would be very apropos.

And she also gave me this sweet little card

Thanks Julie! You're the BEST!

So many little sweet things in one day makes a girl very happy.

Check out The Inspired Room when you have a chance... It is a lovely website!

TWD~Fresh Ginger and Chocolate Gingerbread

I literally sat on my couch last night debating if I wanted to make this recipe. I needed about 5 ingredients and I weighed the pros and cons of going out in the frigid January night to purchase said 5 ingredients. Finally, about 8:00 last night I said, Oh why the heck not! I got my buttermilk, bittersweet chocolate, ginger and molasses and decided to skip the ginger stick thingies... I just didn't think these things needed THAT much ginger!

I personally felt like there was a lot of steps to making this gingerbread, with melting the chocolate and all... then later melting more chocolate to make icing. I dumped half a bowl of buttermilk on the floor... (no cat to lick it up anymore, whaa, whaa... oh wait, my cat wasn't allowed to eat dairy anyway) And then once the bread was done resting I couldn't get the darn thing out of the pan!!!! It was stuck to the bottom! So i pleaded and prodded with it and FINALLY I pulled it out of the pan with big chunks stuck to the bottom. Nice Sabro, Nice!

I was able to frost it and then let it set, and cut only about 6 nice pieces from the only part of the bread that wasn't deformed.
I thought it tasted pretty good. But the icing was STRONG! The coffee really came through. As we say in Minnesota OOOOFTA!
Overall I would say it's pretty tasty... but not my favorite Dorie recipe I've made.

I would like to buy a va va va voom!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That is what Kelly told me when she saw my hat. That is very nice of my cousin to say. She is totally awesome! (as if you didn't already know that?)

I entered a knitting contest sponsored by Lion's Brand Yarn and Vanna White. If I win not only will I get $1000 but I will win a trip to visit Vanna White on the set of WHEEL. OF. FORTUNE.

I'm crossing my lil' fingies... Hope you'll do the same for me too!

***and just in case you think i'm making this whole thing up, here is an actual picture of me, wearing said hat. ***

Let's Talk Lost!

Lost was amazing! Probably because I'm a big nerd and I love Quantum Physics, Time Travel and STRING THEORY! Any show that can incorporate String Theory into an episode is by all means the best show ever!

So how will the Oceanic 6 get back to the Island?
How will John die, in order to bring back the others?
Who are the mysterious flame throwing people?
Will Desmond make it to Oxford to find Daniel's mother?
Anna Lucia and Libby making a comeback? YES!

I'm giddy with anticipation!

It's Back!!!

TWD~Berry Surprise Cake

This was a Berry good lesson in following directions! I did not do a Berry good job! The Surprise is that I am Berry bad at egg ribbons and egg diva cakes. I'm Berry MAD!

Actually, Im not mad... but just really disappointed.

I think I might turn this into Berry Surprise Cup Cakes.

My cake came out flat as a pancake. I was warned that it would by countless TWD bakers. I used a 9inch Springform, thinking I could defy gravity.

So with my pancake, I decided to be resourceful and skip hollowing out the cake (because I physically couldn't) and thus just spreading the filling on top.

The filling was delish, after adding more sugar. The berries in the filling were sublime. The berries and filling on top of the cake... YUCK!

My cake tasted like thick eggs! I do not like thick egg cake, Sabro I am!

It looked pretty though.

My only hope is to make some more filling, salvage the berries and whip up some cupcakes or something? I have no clue. Because I REFUSE to serve this to anyone!

Whoa is me.

Birthday Frolics

My birthday was perfect. Mellow and relaxing, yet fun and friendly. I spent the day doing a little bit of this and a little bit of that. A trip to my favorite part of Minneapolis, Linden Hills. A giant cookie at Turtle Bread Bakery and a walk around the neighborhood.

Back home in time for dinner at my favorite restaurant Babanis.

Babani's serves Kurdish food, it's really really delicious! The bread! Oh the Bread!

I had dinner with 3 of my besties... Shannon, Ellen & Kelly AKA, Tweaker, Nellen and Bangs.

During the course of our meal my phone wouldn't stop ringing, of course it was Heather of the EO. And after the 10th time she called (okay second time) I answered to find her and Kate wondering what I was up to. They were in St. Paul, we were in St. Paul. Perfect!

We finished our dinner, made a quick stop at Candy Land... and no I did not get stuck in the Molasses Swamp (that was courtesy of the smartest person I've ever worked with).

The gangs collided at Fabulous Ferns and we had Fabulous fun!

I even shot some deer with my shotgun! Bang Bang!

Thanks for the many many many many well wishes on my birthday. My phone, inbox, comments and Facebook were blowing up with greetings.

Sunday I also had a lovely birthday lunch with my family. We not only celebrated my birthday but Kyle getting his LMFT and Chris and Jen's engagement! A new crazy person to add to the mix! Go Robideaus!

P.S. Sorry I ditched your party Nori! Fake Aunt Sabro still loves you sugar!

32 is the New 5!

Believe it or not, this picture was actually taken of me when I got up this morning. I swear I age in reverse! Just call me Benjamin Button.

The day before turning 23, I mean 32.

Am I really turning 32?! People often think I'm a lot younger then I look. Blame it on good genes I suppose, or are they all saying I'm immature? Either way, take it for what it is, Sabro is turning 32 tomorrow!

I have the day off of work today. Actually there are no kids at school today, but the teachers have to be there for meetings all day. Reason #527 that I do not teach.


I'm still in my pajamas, cleaning and organizing. Getting my affairs in order before the big change over. That sounds grim. But I'm going to be honest with you. Having a birthday so close to the New Year gives me a security net of sorts. I plan to make changes starting the New Year... the first few weeks I don't do so well and then I get a second chance on the 17th to start fresh.


Tomorrow I have a wonderful day planned... but I will write more about that once it happens.


I really don't mind turning 32. Really I don't. I'm right where I'm supposed to be. I'm happy.

Happy shout out to Nie who is blogging again! I love that girl. Never met her, prolly never will.. But her and her hubs have been through a long and difficult recovery from a plane crash. It was great to see her post something she wrote herself. I cried. What a miracle.

quirky cupcakes

Things I love:

*random fun
*quirky videos
*catchy songs
*cupcakes
*this video

The Blow, True Affection

Awards make me feel warm

Baby it's so mother flippin' cold outside. Tonight a low of NEGATIVE 24 degrees. Wind chills are supposed to be in the NEGATIVE 30-50 below ZERO degrees tomorrow. Not right. Just not right.

I am thankful for a cozy house.

And a warm bed.

And a garage to park my car in.

and a blog award to put on my blogger side bar mantle.

A lovely gal named Heather that I think is the bomb and seriously we are separated at birth gave me two really special awards!!! This Heather is not EO, but Heather of the many blogs. Check her out, she is all knowing in everything from books, movies, fashion, television, twilight and every day radness. Plus she is wicked smart!

Start HERE and then go to her profile when you are done there and read all her other cool blogs!

Thanks friend!

These are the awards:

Heather says they stand for this:

"the Prémio Dardos Award for recognition of cultural, ethical, literary, and personal values transmitted in the form of creative and original writing, and the Butterfly Award, for all-around coolness."

I am going to pass these along to the January birthday girls:
Megan of SoS (Nori can share with you)
and
Julie of A Spot on the Sopha.
Happy Birthday!

NO TWD TODAY

I wasn't able to make the Savory Corn and Pepper Muffins that we were supposed to make this week. Partly because I'm not a big corn muffin fan and there was a snow storm here yesterday and I didn't feel like making an unnecessary stop at the grocery store.

However, I would like to make these at some point, because unlike sweet corn muffins these corn muffins reduce the sugar and you get to add chili powder and jalapenos! That is my kind of corn muffin, sweet and savory. Although I could probably do without the whole kernels of corn in the muffin... that kind of frightens me. But I would be willing to give it a shot.

I now have to get back to work, hoping that they are kind and turn up the heat at the school... since there will be a high of NEGATIVE 2 degrees today. barf.

Q & A

1. WHAT TIME DID YOU GET UP THIS MORNING? 5:55am
2. DIAMONDS OR PEARLS? Garnets, Including Kevin.
3. WHAT WAS THE LAST FILM YOU SAW AT A THEATER? The Curious Case of Benjamin Button & SlumDog Millionaire
4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE T. V. SHOW? LOST
5. WHAT DID YOU HAVE FOR BREAKFAST? Fried egg on an english muffin
6. WHAT IS YOUR MIDDLE NAME? Marie
7. FAVORITE CUISINE? Thai
8. WHAT FOOD DO YOU DISLIKE? Cottage Cheese and Peas
9. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE COLOR? Pink
10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CD AT THE MOMENT? Pandora.com Station: Jaymay
11. WHAT KIND OF CAR DO YOU DRIVE? Toyota Camry
12. FAVORITE LUNCH? Chipotle Chicken Burrito Bowl, Extra spicy
13. WHAT CHARACTERISTICS IN PEOPLE DO YOU DISLIKE? Lurking
14. MY FAVORITE PAST-TIME IS: Making up Tap Dances
15. IF YOU COULD GO ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD ON VACATION, WHERE WOULD YOU GO? Montevedio, Uruguay
16. WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE SINGER(S)? Feist, Jaymay, Cat Power, Jason Mraz
17. FAVORITE BRAND OF CLOTHING? Anything Anthropologie Sells
18. TO WHERE WOULD YOU RETIRE? New Hampshire
19. WHAT WAS YOUR MOST MEMORABLE BIRTHDAY? The one that is happening this Saturday.
20. FAVORITE SPORT TO WATCH? Baseball
21. FAVORITE BOOK? We the Living, Ayn Rand
22. FAVORITE PERFUME\COLOGNE? Spring Fever by Origins
23. FAVORITE MOVIE TRILOGY? Rambo, until they made #4, Actually, hands down it's The Lord of the Rings
4. GOAL YOU HAVE FOR YOURSELF? flushing the toilet
25. WHEN IS YOUR BIRTHDAY? January 17
25a. ANY FAMOUS PEOPLE SHARE YOUR BIRTHDAY? Benjamin Franklin, Andy Kaufman, Jim Carrey.
26. HOW MANY WEDDINGS HAVE YOU BEEN IN, INCLUDING YOUR OWN? 4?
27. ARE YOU A MORNING PERSON OR A NIGHT PERSON? Both!
28. WHAT IS YOUR SHOE SIZE? 8.5
29. PETS: Not anymore.
30. ANY NEW AND EXCITING NEWS YOU'D LIKE TO SHARE WITH US? I get to shovel tonight.
31. WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU WERE LITTLE? Your mom, I mean A mom.
32. HOW DO YOU FEEL TODAY? Bursting with fruit flavors.
33. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CANDY? Gummies
34. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PLANT OR FLOWER? Dahlias and Hollyhocks
35. WHAT DAY ON THE CALENDAR ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO? July 1
36. WHERE IS THE FURTHEST YOU HAVE EVER BEEN FROM HOME? Beijing, China
37. A SMALL THING YOU REALLY ENJOY? gift cards
38. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE MOVIE? It's a Wonderful Life
39. WHAT ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF? Surviving.
40. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ALBUM? Coldplay, Parachutes
41. WHAT MAKES YOU CRINGE? Violence
42. IF YOU COULD DO ANYTHING, WHAT WOULD YOU DO? Eat
43. WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN THAT YOU WILL VISIT AGAIN? Paris
44. WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN THAT YOU WILL NEVER VISIT AGAIN? The Wisdom Teeth Dentist!
44. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICECREAM? Pink Peppermint or Coffee
45. WHICH CAME FIRST, THE CHICKEN OR THE EGG? To get to the other side. Wrong punch-line.
46. HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE YOU MADE SMILE TODAY? 6 billion.
47. WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE WORLD, WHAT DO YOU SEE? Bologna
48. CATS OR DOGS? Both are fine
49 GOOD OR BAD? Ugly
50. SOMETHING PEOPLE PROBABLY DON'T KNOW ABOUT YOU? I am not a real person. I'm a blog persona Kelly made up.

Soup anyone?

One of these things is not like the others,
One of these things just doesn't belong,
Can you tell which thing is not like the others
By the time I finish my song?

Our local paper Star Tribune had an article today on soups.
They listed four soup names.
Cousin K said, Hey go grab the Strib Taste section and tell me which soup name makes you LOL...

Thai Hot-And-Sour Soup

Beef Stroganoff Soup

Chicken Chipotle Soup

Cock-A-Leekie Soup

Yep, you read that right.

I think I just might start saying that in my everyday lexicon.

"I was driving to work today and some Cock-A-Leekie pulled out in front of me!"

"That movie was really good, but what a Cock-A-Leekie ending!"

See how fun that is!

TWD~French Pear Tart

I'm Back! It feels good to be posting a TWD recipe after my two week hiatus. And this week's recipe is special because it was picked by none other than Dorie Greenspan herself. For those of you joining me for the first time, (prolly not, anyone, anyone?) Tuesday with Dorie is an online baking club I belong to where we (lots and lots of people) bake from a cookbook called Baking by Dorie Greenspan. Anyway, I love Dorie, I think she is an amazing baker and I love to bake alongside (blogside?) my fellow TWD Bakers.

Honestly, this French Pear Tart smells divine and tastes like Heaven! But putting it together was Hell! I don't know what my problem was, but I just felt like I was not doing anything right. My tart dough seemed too crumbly, my almond cream seemed to grainy and my pears where not so great. (I used canned to save time, Hey Dorie said it was OKAY!) I wasn't sure how to fan them out, so I just put them on there the best I could.

This was also really time consuming... lots of little steps. Plus I did not have a tart pan, so I used a springform pan, but it seemed to do the trick. I heard it would give the tart a more "rustic" look. Rustic indeed, RUSTIC CHIC!

Anyway, like i said, this tart was wonderful!!! I can't wait to share it with my co-workers! I wish I could share it with all of you though.

Winner Winner

I have chosen a winner for the Deceptively Delicious Book Give-Away. Natalie from What's For Supper is the lucky girl... which she said on the comments that she hates veggies, so here you go Natalie!
This is my last day of freedom before I go back to work tomorrow. Last year at this time I was dreading the BIG RETURN to work... This year, I don't mind it so much. Hopefully, everyone will be rested and less crabby and I'm not talking about just the kids. I heart teachers.
So yes, this is my last day... I was able to watch my favorite Sunday Morning show, titled appropriately, Sunday Morning. You know the one with Charles "I'll see you on the radio" Osgood. Does anyone watch that? I lurve it!
I was going to post some photos of some things I knitted over break, but I'm too lazy to go find my spare camera.
And im finally getting back to TWD with a French Pear Tart for Tuesday... mmmmmm.
Those will all be great blog posts awaiting your viewing pleasure in the next few weeks...
For now, I will enjoy these fleeting moments of peace and solitude.

White Christmas Spectacular!

Last night i was able to escape go see Irving Berlin's White Christmas Musical. I have been wanting to see this for years and so when the opportunity arose to go.. I goed. Plus it gave me a chance to get dressed up and out of my barn clothes.
Shannon, Cindy, Jaime & Ellen and I saw it at the Ordway Theatre and it was delightful! I mean that sounds cheesy, but the show was so amazing. I loved the singing and especially the dancing. It made me want to get up out of my seat and start dancing along.
Back in the day I used to be in musicals and golly gee did I have fun! Sometimes I think about heading back to the stage, but now I think I just enjoy watching instead.

Tap dancing my way out of the room, strait into your heart...

SabRo