Junk is So Relative.

Now that the last day of the greatest month has arrived, I think it’s safe to tell you, you’ve almost survived National Junk Food Month. That's right, February is all about the junk. Moreover, my birthday was National Tortilla Chip Day, which explains a lot.

Now, if you think about it, we did our part with the champagne chocolate. So that's a start. But it doesn't really cover my other favorite junk food group. Beverages.

So here's my new favorite in all its glory.

The Beergarita.

If you don’t know about Jenny’s drink that’s sweeping the nation, you better get on board. It's easy to make. It freaking rocked the Oscar hizzy on Sunday. And it's much better served with ice. We ran out on Sunday, although by the time the ice vanished, I'm not sure most noticed. BTW, I can only handle one. I'd say, unless you want people swan diving off your funiture (Marcia), cut them off at three.

Jenny's (Yeeeeehaw Ya'll) Beergarita

1 can Lime juice frozen concentrate (Limeade)
1 of the above can's full of Tequila
1⁄2 (more or less) of the Lime juice can of Triple Sec
1 of the lime juice can's of 7-Up
1 bottle of Corona

Mix above all together, serve over ice and get lit.

Next month, to counterbalance all this decadence, we're spotlighting salads. But just in case you're not ready to give up the junk, you have 24 hours. Go.

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Also, on a completely different healthy habits note, Lindsey who said "I'm totally intersted in that book" won it. You go Lindsey. Email me at helloqueso at gmail dot com and you can be interested in it and own it. We're making dreams come true around here.

Good Kids Bad Habits

Recently I was asked by the good people of the Parent Bloggers Network to check out a new book that’s hitting bookstores everywhere. So I did. And I found that Good Kids Bad Habits by Jennifer Trachtenberg, M.D. gives parents a plethora of information. And then she gives even more information. And then some more. And, of course, we’re all about the giving around here. And so you know what that means. Don’t you?

Read More About It at Cool Stuff con Queso.

Friday Finds: Yeeehaw, Candles and Acceptance Speeches

Check out this week's happy finds at Cool Stuff con Queso.

Universally Stylish.

I really don't see what the big deal is.

After all, it IS the hippest, coolest trend across the universe.

Obviously.

And she IS a universally loved, intergalactic star, people.





Think about it.

I’ve got some bad news, and then I’ve got some really bad news, and then I’ve got some better news involving chocolate game controllers and brownies.

Remember how I said 2007 is the year of pink? Well, with all the bad news we’ve been getting recently, I’d say it’s turning grey. Grey like the color your hands turn when you’ve read too many newspapers.

Is it just me, or does it seem like there’s a lot of strange, sad, stuff going on out there?

Bad news has definitely been drifting in and out of our house this year. We’ve felt it personally; but we also read it a lot, we also hear it a lot. And even though I’m a borderline obnoxious silver-lining person…and even though I know that we’re beyond blessed….and even though I really know things could be a hell of a lot worse… well, I don’t know. Maybe it’s the artist in me. But all this grey news is bringing me down.

For instance, on my eight-block commute this morning, I heard four promos for death and destruction at noon, five, six and ten…

• “A waiter tests positive for Hepatitis A, exposing thousands of diners. Could you be one of them?”
• “Innocent motorist shot dead while driving with children on freeway. Could this happen to you?”
• “Wicked weather! Is it coming this way? Find out. And find out what you can do to survive.”
• “Is your toothpaste killing you? Maybe.”
• “House plants…you think they’re your friends…but they may be killing your family. Tune in later to find out.”

These are real by the way. Not one made up. I copied and pasted each one of them from the front page of one local news station's Web site. Truth is stranger than fiction and all that.

So what I’m hearing is, my plants, my toothpaste, the weather, a waiter, and any random motorist could kill me at any second. But I really need to wait until six to find out how to prevent it. (No wonder this grey cloud won’t go away.)

So I’m jumping on the bandwagon and asking it to take me to the good news.

When the HcQ wants some good news or a cool stuff heads ups, he goes to Slashdot or Digg or Del.icio.us. However, hearing about the future of packaging software in Linux or a chocolate Wii controller just doesn’t do it for me.

So I'm thinking, wouldn’t it be excellent if there was a site like Digg or Del.icio.us or Slashdot for things I like, news I want to hear, stuff I care about?

I need a portal for good news.

You got one?

Do tell.

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And now for some sweet news…

Well, it’s sweet if you’re Much More Than A Mom.

And really, aren't we all? So that's good news.

But if you're THE Much More Than a Mom that said, "mmmm. Yes please." in the Great Brownie Giveaway comment. Then, guess what. You won!

Oh but here's some more good news. The Hurricane "accidentally" picked two names out of the sandbucket (and since I can't be the one to decide which should be the winner, and it's only fair because obviously there were supposed to be two winners) so then that means there's another winner...

That's right. Karen Rani who said, "Whoohoo! Flipping WW both birds." is also a big brownie winner.

So congrats girls. Email me at helloqueso at gmail dot com to claim your treats. And everyone else, stay tuned for more good news and more fun giveaways.

In the meantime, tell me something good.

Friday Finds: Queso Reader Picks

This week, the fabulous Friday Finds come from fabulous Queso readers.

Check them out at Cool Stuff con Queso

Weight Watchers Be Damned!

Notice anything different?

I hate it when people ask this question because I'm as observant as a blind squirrel. And just in case you're like me, let me just tell you, there's something different around here. No, not a haircut. No, these are the same jeans I wear almost everyday. No! I did not get Botox...what are you saying? Jeez.

It's just that Blog con Queso has lost some weight in 2007. There have been no recipes. This wasn't planned, it's just happened.

So we're making up for lost time. And we're giving some calories away. Keep reading.

Janey the Great emailed me yesterday raving about the merriest little bakery around. And when Janey raves, I listen. And then when NPR raves about the same bakery in a serious, hushed tone, I laugh. Both of these things happened.

Introducing the ShoeBox Oven, a boutique bakery in Alexandria, Virginia. I emailed Krishna, the adventurous baker, and she said their Web site is currently the main "storefront" of the bake-to-order delivery/pickup/mail order bakery. I love this, because (1) the Web site is wonderful with lots of beautiful photos, (2) Krishna created this entire concept with sugar, flour, imagination, talent and energy, and (3) even though I don't live in VA, I can still enjoy the deliciousness. So, this very morning, I'm ordering up a few things for my poor coworkers.

Janey also said their cakes are fantastic. And here's a preview recipe for you. Courtesy of the ShoeBox Bakery and the golf tones of NPR.

Champagne Chocolate

by Krishna Brown owner of ShoeBox Oven in VA

Makes 9 to 12 servings

16 ounces dark chocolate (70 percent cacao)
6 ounces (12 tablespoons) unsalted butter
2 cups sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
4 large eggs
3/4 cup flour
1 cup champagne
Champagne glaze (below)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter a 9-by-9-inch baking pan or any special mold you want to shape your chocolate. Melt the chocolate with the butter in a double boiler or microwave. Do not overheat or the chocolate will seize and become stiff. Beat the salt, vanilla and sugar into the melted chocolate mixture. One at a time, beat the eggs into the chocolate mixture. Add the flour to the mixture and mix until blended. Using an electric mixer, add the champagne and beat on high for about 3 minutes, until the mixture is shiny. Pour the mixture into the prepared pan and bake about 45 to 50 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with crumbs stuck to it and the cake is still moist.

Champagne Glaze

2 cups champagne
1 cup sugar

Simmer the champagne and sugar in a pot for a few minutes, until the sugar has dissolved. Brush the warm brownies with the champagne glaze. The chocolate will absorb the liquid leaving the top shiny.

Cool the brownies on a rack or in the refrigerator overnight.

So three cheers to Krishna for combining two of my personal favorite things in one fun treat. Yuh to the um.

Krishna also mentioned that she digs the idea of personal spaces. You guys had some phenominal ideas on that. I'm still in the planning phases of mine over here, but I'll keep you posted as things progress.

CONTEST ALERT.
And finally, if you're ready to give Weight Watchers the bird, I mean the break it deserves, just leave a comment. The Hurricane will again pick a winner, who will receive some super delicious champagne chocolate from ShoeBox Oven. The contest will be open until midnight CST, Friday night. And the winner will be announced on Monday.

I really hope you win.

Happy Valentines Day!

Photo from Deviant Art

I Need Space. (From the “It’s Not You, It’s Me” files)

So. Yeah. I’ve been thinking. And I’ve got to tell you, I really do need some space.

And I’m not the only one.

This weekend I heard someone speak about space. More specifically how we should all create it...create a personal, spiritual place for ourselves...in our homes. Sacred space. A place where we can connect with ourselves, our thoughts, our dreams, our God, etc. A place where we should deliberately spend some time to re-know ourselves, or recognize ourselves. He spoke about this in an incredibly lengthy and fantastic way, but that was the basic gist.

But this is nothing new.

Virginia Woolf wrote about it, um, 78 years ago.

Hemingway expressed the same thing in his own way almost 74 years ago. Although, obviously, his clean well-lighted place would also double as a stocked bar.

And, frankly, I like the sound of that.

The Queso has been a great space for me. But like a greedy child, when I get a little bit of something, I want more. I want some real-life space. And I’ve decided I need a sacred space of my own.

The thing is, we live a house that was built just a few years before Hemingway’s writing. Back in a time before houses had extra rooms, guest rooms, room-sized closets, and frankly, any room in general.

So, I really don’t have the room.

The guy I heard speak this weekend said…”If you feel you don’t have any room for it, well, there’s a metaphor you can work with.”

Hm. Right. But even if I did find any space to squat and claim, it would take a lot of time, energy, creativity, and potentially some serious muscles to make it my own.

The guy said…”If you feel you don’t have time to create it, well, there’s a metaphor you can work with.”

Okay. Yeah. I get it. But, if I did take this space, I’d be the only adult in the house with any room of my own. The HcQ and I share every single bit of air allowed in our “quaint cottage” (sometimes I chose to use Realtor terms). There is no extra space for anything. We. Are. Streamlined. People. Everything has a purpose and a place. Frankly, it would be selfish to take any space and use it for something not extremely pragmatic.

But the guy said…”If you feel like you don't deserve it, or you feel ashamed or wrong to have it, well, there’s a metaphor you can work with.”

Right. And I guess it is somewhat practical to foster sanity. In theory.

So, I talked to the HcQ about it. And he essentially grunted that whatever I decide is fine with him. Basically, he couldn’t care less.

So, to review: I’m over my guilt, I’m over my laziness, and I’ve overcome our lack of space. I found a room. One room, the only space we have, that doesn’t get used (except to store junk)…right...you guessed it, the dining room.

So I’m taking it over. I’ll keep you posted.

But more importantly, and back to you, do you have a space of your own? If so, what does it look like? What do you use it for? Etc. Or. Do you wish you had a space of your own? And if you could have one, what would your dream space be?

Just curious. Because I need ideas. I mean, since it will be my very own space, I’m thinking I could move in a trampoline. Or a Ms. Pac Man machine. Or a pink pony. Really, the options are endless.

*My smart friend Melaney gave me the above book years ago, and I'm just now taking it seriously. It's good. You can pick it up in a variety of places, including here.

Friday Finds: Valentines Edition

Check out Cool Stuff con Queso to find treats for your Valentine.

Okay, Just Kidding, I'm Not The Devil.

No really. I'm not. Call off the hounds.

I took this quiz.

And then I took this quiz.

And this one.

And the collective results clearly show that I'm completely not the devil.

So, um, yeah. Crisis averted. As you were.

Another Thing About My Coworkers...

Here's the thing.

I just realized that I'm finding myself saying "That's all." quite a lot lately.

Quite a lot.



And so, I'm wondering...
Does that make me the devil?



I think I might be the devil.

Pissing the Night Away.

So I had dinner with a two friends last week. Two people with whom I used to work, at a boutique PR agency, smack dab in the middle of the nineties. Which, oh by the way, doesn’t seem like it should be as long ago as it actually is. I realize this almost always when I find myself in conversations such as this one I had oh so recently with two current coworkers...

Me: “Hey, what was that Chumbawumba song?”

Current Coworker: “Huh?”

Me: “You know, it came out in like 97…they played it ALL the time…the lyrics talked about getting pissed.”

Current Coworker: “Pissed? Like mad?”

Me: “No, like drunk.”

Current Coworker: “They got pissed because someone got drunk?”

Me: “No, they’re from England. In England, getting pissed is getting drunk.”

Current Coworker: “So, when English people get mad, they immediately go get drunk.”

Me: “Well, yes. But no! No one is mad! Just drunk! ... Oh forget it.”

CC 2: (joining conversation): “I know, what you’re talking about. They take the whiskey drink, they take the vodka drink. Something like that. They talk about everything they drink.”

Current Coworker: “Yeah, I was in middle school in 1997, so I wasn’t really allowed to drink when that song came out.”


These are the conversations I now have. Which makes me feel like this.

But back to the other night, these friends and I were discussing how much more ridiculously slow and complex it was to do our PR jobs back in the day before we had Internet. That’s right. We had no Internet. In fact, we had no email. In fact, we sent out press releases by fax. That is, if we wanted them there FAST! Otherwise, we sent them by snail mail, which, at the time, was just called mail.

And that was only about 18 months before the Chumbawumba song came out. Not that long ago (according to me, but not according to Current Coworker 1).

However, now, I can’t imagine brushing my teeth without the Internet, much less releasing a national news story, much less finding a movie time. In fact, I don’t know about you, but I’m online a ridiculous amount of the day these days. Almost always, actually. And I'm constantly checking out Web sites. I use them increasingly, depend on them slightly, read them religiously, write for them regularly. And so on.

Which brings me here.

So what are your favorite must-reads? Where do you go to get your info, your insights, your what’s what? Your candy? Your cool things?

I definitely have my daily rituals. Do you? Do share.

Friday Faves.

TGIF now means Thank Goodness It's Found at the Queso because from now until whenever, Fridays will feature cool finds, favorites, and fabulousness. (We're joining Mark in bringing fabulous back. Yeah.) Check out Cool Stuff con Queso to find out what I'm loving this week.