Earth Hour

We participated in Earth Hour last night, turned off all the lights from 8:00-9:00. Played Sorry, drew pictures, and just hung out together. We're going to try to do it more often, maybe once a week. I think that's do-able. The best part: everyone together in the same room interacting with each other instead of the computer, TV, or Xbox. Good times!

Remember that nice spring weather we was enjoying yesterday? Gone. Today is cold and super windy. Yuck!

Hannah and Evan are going to an 80s theme birthday party at the roller rink this afternoon. I made Hannah some legwarmers already and am about to whip up a headband, ala Olivia Newton-John.

Spring!

It sure feels like spring today, nice and warm and sunny. I know it will get cold again, that's the way the Northern Nevada weather rolls, but for now I'm going to soak it up!

I had a dream last night that I was shopping for plants at the nursery - so now I'm in the mood to get the garden patch in shape. Don't usually plant anything until May, otherwise it's in danger of freezing. Debating whether or not to start some seedlings in the garage or just wait and buy some plants. I'd really like to build a raised bed so we can have a bigger garden, but for now I'll just busy myself with cleaning up the yard. Might be time to come out of hibernation!

Completely unrelated, but you know what bugs me? When you get a soda at the fountain and all the lids are in a stack and you have to touch at least five to get one for your cup. That means that your lid has been touched by what? five people? GROSS ME.

Here's a recipe for you - brought home from school by Evan. We baked them together yesterday, so yummy! A perfect mixture of sweet & salty, definitely a keeper!

Chango Bars
1 cup butter
2 cups brown sugar
3 eggs
2 1/3 cups flour
1 TBS baking powder
1 tsp salt
1 cup chocolate chips
1 cup mixed nuts (I took out the Brazil nuts b/c they are just too big)

Melt butter. Meanwhile, cream brown sugar and eggs together, stir in melted butter. Combine dry ingredients and stir into sugar mixture. Fold in chocolate chips and nuts. Spread into a greased 9 X 13 baking pan and bake 45-50 minutes at 350. Got milk?

The Day After Yesterday

Had tons of fun last night out on the town celebrating St. Patrick's Day. Didn't drink any green beer, but did have a couple Irish Car Bombs. There were lots of people out, quite a party. Check out our local newspaper's website - we made the photo gallery! (photo #15)

Pumped up for Brett Dennen tomorrow night! Thanks to Max for maybe the coolest Christmas present ever - concert tix! We're going with a group of friends, meeting up for a buffet dinner before the show. Locals eat for $7.77 at GSR - seriously can not beat that. So, it will be a great time on the cheap, which is just how I like it.

Top O' The Day!

Happy St. Patrick's Day to all you Irish and wannabee Irish out there. Festivities under way including the wearing of green and the drinking of beer. We've got friends coming into town this afternoon, going to hit the pub crawl downtown. I've got a few hours to whip up a green hat or two - nothing like waiting til the last minute to stress a person out.

Totally unrelated - I HATE driving in roundabouts. What is the deal with those anyway? Why are they putting them in everywhere? Seriously, I can't stand them. No one seems to know how to navigate them, and the entire time I'm going around I cringe - just waiting for an accident. No love for the roundabout.

Check out the Urban Dictionary Word Of The Day, I love it!

March 17: bad economy

An all-purpose excuse that people use during a recession to justify doing things that are below their usual standard. Often these things in reality have little or nothing to do with the economic circumstances.

Harry: "You took your girlfriend to Applebee's on Valentine's Day? Pretty weak."
Larry: "Whatever man, I didn't have a choice. Bad economy."

Senator: "Mr. Paulson, you really want to give the greedy, soulless bankers who caused this mess $700 billion with no strings attached?"
Henry Paulson: "Hey guys, bad economy. Just do it."
Senator: "Good point. I vote yes."

Fred: "Dude, tell me you didn't go home with that broke down 300-pound whale I saw you with at O'Shea's last night."
Brendan: "Dude, it's a bad economy. I'll take what I can get."
Fred: "Yeah, I guess you have to."

I'm Back!

Took a little blog break, but I'm ready to get back at it. What have I been up to for the last month or so?

• Facebooking. The official timesucker of our household. It's pretty cool to catch up with old friends, and I'm way into Bubble Spinner. Also digging the My Farm application, really overly excited about checking up on my crops every day. I even sign on as Shane and send myself goats and apple trees and such. Shhh, that's a secret.

• Crocheting. Seems like all of Hannah's friends have their birthdays this month, and I've been cranking out the handmade gifts. Since last post I've made 1 dog, 1 scarf, 2 headbands, 1 wallet, 1 purse, and am in the middle of an octopus. Next up: a hat for Amy and finishing Hannah's blanket. The blanket is a big 'un, rainbow stripes twenty rows thick - I'm about halfway through yellow and still have orange and red to do. I love that it's big enough to cuddle up in while I'm working.

• Watching Too Much TV. Big Love, Rock Of Love Bus, Heroes, 24, Lost, Eastbound And Down, I Love Money, Life On Mars, Survivor, The Amazing Race, Man VS Food...yep, I'm a couch potato. Pretty much over Heroes and 24 though, and on the brink with Lost. My favorite right now is Big Love, this season has been INTENSE. And Eastbound is cracking my ass up, Kenny Powers is the man!

• Baking Bread. I just love the way it makes the house smell, and I feel so domestical when I pull that fresh loaf out of the oven. Thanks again to Kate for the secret book. It rocks!
  

There. I did it, broke the blogger's block. Later!