The Post About Spelling and Jimmy Fallon

A quick recap...


1. Muffin Top Contributor of the Week: This extent of my holiday decorations is now almost empty. Who most resembles a pumpkin at my house?

2. Wish for the Week: To play against mediocre spellers at Words with Friends. "JamiesRabbits" is waiting for those who are competitive but can't necessarily spell "competitive."

3. Crush of the Week: I could not love Jimmy or Justin more after this. Unless, of course, they showed up at my birthday party and performed it live. In matching coveralls.


4. Regret of the Week: Today I told a coworker that they sucked. They did. But I'm really sad I said it. Better to solve professional problems through rock-paper-scissors.

5. TV line of the Week: "Your kids don’t need to know who you were before you had them; they need to know who you wish you were, and try to live up to that person. They're gonna fall short, but better they fall short of the fake you than the real you." –Claire's guide to parenting from Modern Family

{image: Jamie}

The Post About Marrying and Remarrying

Sam and Jon.

Aren't they adorable?

This is their wedding portrait. Seriously.

No french manicured shot of a wedding band. No stiletto heel piercing said wedding band. No wedding party photo of folks who are loved and some a mother said had to be there.

Sam and Jon met. Sam and Jon fell in love. Sam and Jon bunked tradition and got married in athletic apparel at the courthouse.

And neither is pregnant or an illegal immigrant.

I like being invited to weddings. I like eating groom's cake and being the only Baptist dancing. So, at first, I was not okay with this life decision-making that was Jamie not included.

But then I remembered not everything has to be about me.

Plus, apparently what most couples do on their 10th or 25th anniversary, Sam and Jon are doing after 29 days.

What are the odds they were pressured into this by someone like me?

Someone who likes swirly fonts and planning parties.

I will be there. And I will eat and dance. With or without food or music.

That's what a handbag and an iPod is for.

{images: Sam's Mom; Jamie}

The Post About Netflix 3-Month Membership Giveaway

I've already shared my measly thoughts on 11 new TV shows that debuted last week.

Are you a TV geek? I am.

No shame.

Some of my favorites, like Mad Men and Veronica Mars, were actually discovered on Netflix.

If you're not familiar with this online dandy:
Netflix offers online flat rate DVD rental by mail and online streaming in the US and Canada. No late fees. No postage costs. No drama.

As a treat for putting up with my television geekdom, I'm offering one lucky reader a three-month membership to Netflix. (if you're already a member, then you'll get a delightful credit.)

How To Enter:
Leave a comment answering the question:
What's a TV show you never miss?

**2 Extra Credit Entries**
Each of the following will give you one extra entry in the giveaway. Please make sure to leave a separate comment for each thing you do!

1. "Like" Jamie's Rabbits on Facebook.
2. Be a follower of Jamie's Rabbits on Twitter.

**You can accomplish both of these tasks by clicking on the links.**

Important Details: Open to anyone in the US or Canada. Must enter before 11:59pm CST on Friday, October 1 to qualify. Winner will be chosen randomly using Research Randomizer and announced this weekend. Obviously, anonymous folks can't win unless they leave a name in the comment. P.S. Netflix only knows what I like to watch - they don't know the first thing about the real me or this giveaway.

{image: Jamie}

The Post About The Rabbit Recommends v.81

Each weekend, I post a readable, a watchable, and a listenable of which I'm fond. You can choose what happens next. Earlier volumes can be found here.

2010 Fall TV Preview Edition

This is what autumn looks like in Minnesota.

Not in Alabama.

It will look like this for approximately 10 minutes in late October. Don't blink.

But leaves changing is not Fall to me.

A new batch of television shows is what really prompts me to put Summer to bed and dig out boots and pumpkin-flavored everything.

Here's a quick recap of my thoughts on the new shows I caught this week.
Coding Categories:
*1* Will make DVR plans to watch. For now.
*2* Will stop and watch if I have the time.
*3* Umm...no thanks.

Monday
Mike & Molly: I'm 100% supportive of overweight funny folks as lead characters. But there were a hair too many "fat" jokes. *2*
The Event: My heart needs a new "Lost." Crossing fingers. *1*
Hawaii Five-O: Alex O'Loughlin without a shirt might be enough, but it also has quick paced and interesting story-telling. *1*

Tuesday
Raising Hope: Loved. It. Heart-tugging and hilarious. *1*
Running Wilde: I have a pre-existing affection for Will Arnett and Keri Russell. But it's just too quirky. And not in a good way. *3*
*No Ordinary Family: Debuts this week. A suburban family survives plane crash and develops super powers. BTW: A scenario on my bucket list.

Wednesday
Better With You: Studio audience classic sit-com. The laugh track actually kept me from loving it. *2*
The Whole Truth: I'm not a huge fan of procedurals (shows that wrap up storyline in one episode). I liked the method of switching back and forth between the perspectives of the offense and defense and then the "what really happened" in the last 30 seconds. But everything else is a formula you can see lots of other places. *2*
Undercovers: Combining spies and JJ Abrams - 2 of my faves. I desperately wanted to love it, but there was no real suspense. Or conflict. Drama, por favor. *2*

Thursday
$#*! My Dad Says: Love William Shatner. Hate this show. Dumb jokes with no substance. *3*
Nikita: Did I mention I love spies? It's my "So You Think You Can Kick Butt" complex. I've watched 3 episodes and I like. It would be super if the plot twists were a tad more twisty. *1*
Outsourced: It's The Office in India. But not as funny. Where's Parks & Recreation? *2*

Friday
Just like many folks on the planet, my DVR takes a break on Fridays.

So what have you seen that you love? Any concerns about my perspective?

P.S. Entertainment-themed giveaway tomorrow to honor you surviving this Rabbit Recommends.

{image: *Micky}

The Post About Spunky Spinach Dip

Tailgating?

Pumpkin parties?

Sitting alone on the couch watching Designing Women reruns?

No matter - this is the perfect dip for you. When I serve it at parties, the recipe is always requested.

It will create friendships where there were none.

It will convince others to hang on despite those pictures you tagged on Facebook.

Spunky Spinach Dip

Cast of Characters:

• 8 oz cream cheese (softened)
• 10 oz. frozen chopped spinach (thawed)
• 2 cups of grated cheese (pick your favorite kicky version)
• 14 oz. can of Ro-Tel. If you live somewhere without Ro-tel, first, my apologies. Second, it's diced tomatoes and green chiles.

What You Should Do With Them:
Preheat your oven to 400 degrees. Combine characters in a 2 quart oven-safe dish. Lika dis:

Leave out just a small handful of the grated cheese to put on top after it's cooked. Then, bake for 20 minutes.


My muffin top longs for this.

You can serve with tortilla chips or my personal preference - plain pita chips.

Have a great gathering!

Whether it's a gaggle of folks or just you and Suzanne Sugarbaker.

{images: Jamie}

The Post About In and Out but not Tasty

People Style Watch includes this style condemnation page:

I need to address this month's OUT category.


1. Leaving Voicemail. The wise editors advise folks will call you back when they see the missed call. Jamie won't. Truth be told, I probably won't call you back either way. TEXT POR FAVOR.

2. Boring Brunches. How could any event that includes waffles and the planning guideline "after 11am" be boring?

3. Superplanned Vacations. Umm...hows bout you ask my senior adult parents if superplanned isn't superfantastic?

4. Too Much Tech. How will people know how desperate I am if they can't see my DVR smoking behind my laptop and iPhone?

5. 60's Vibe Music. I just discovered Motown and Bob Dylan. Why would popularity try to take that from me?

Agree? Think I need a permanent seat at the outcast table?

{images: Jamie}

The Post About Hiding Friends on Facebook

Facebook.

Love it and love my diverse array of Facebook friends. I'm so moved by some of those friends that I hide them in my heart.

Or maybe I just hide them.

Let me give you an example. This is my friend Joseph.

There are several reasons why I might hide Joseph from my news feed based on this sample status.

1. He attacked the innocent and lovely Peyton Manning. I'm his future second wife, so he best be kind.
2. He misspelled "just." Come on, English major - live up to your potential.
3. I already follow him on Twitter and this is the original source of this discouraging word. No need for repeats.

However, Joseph is hilarious.

So no hiding.

Consider following Joseph on Twitter for your own full effect.

But there are other valid reasons to hide "friends."
1. Potty mouth.
2. Political potty mouth.
3. Quiz junkie.
4. ALL CAPS.
5. Lovesick.
6. Sideways photo poster.
7. Curmudgeon.
8. Tennessee fan.

Why would you hide someone on Facebook?

The Post About South by Southwest Part Final

Last stop.

A city that never sleeps.

Mainly because there are no windows in the casinos so who knows what time it is?

This is a city where elderly come to blow what would be a nice inheritance and the young come to work out their daddy issues.

We came to stare. And listen. And eat.

And we ate. Buffets and bakeries and local joints that left us fat and happy.

We also Cirque'd.

Bad picture. Phenomenal show.

Worth every discounted penny. Whether you stalked Elvis on Hawaiian movie sets or were a toddler when he died, it is a must-see. Here's a snippet.



Sidebar: I now want to be a French Canadian acrobat. Stat.

Vegas takes you around the world.

New York.


Camelot. Geography purists need not comment.


And even Paris.

The only thing that would have made the Bellagio fountain show more enjoyable would have been Clooney on my right and Damon on my left.

But let's address the sin city nitty gritty:
1. My mother arrived in our hotel suite and immediately asked about the Thunder Down Under. I can't link to it here because the "thunder" may or may not be naked.

2. Three minutes later, my mom the Baptist church secretary asked if the drinks at the hotel happy hour would actually be a sin since they were free. Umm...what would Jesus drink?

3. Finally she inquired about taking a zip line across the Las Vegas Strip. Note: She was grabbing strangers in the Vegas "Eiffel Tower" due to a dizzying fear of heights and proceeded to almost pass out in the parking deck like a drunk woman at happy hour.

Conclusion? My mom can no longer be trusted to travel alone.

{images: Jamie}

The Post About South by Southwest Part 3

My godson Billy has seen the movie Cars approximately 3 times. Plus 109.

In honor of his 6-year-old self, we took a detour onto Route 66.

I'm going to shoot straight with you. It was a detour we could have skipped, despite the nostalgia.

Next up, was the Hoover Dam.

It really was a sight to see, although it required a vehicle pat-down before entering. Apparently several of our larger states get all their power from this tourist trap.


The best part was finding out how many ways you can incorporate "dam" into a sentence without getting a PG rating.

Samples:
1. Dam tour.
2. Dam pictures.
3. Dam security.
4. Dam parking deck.
5. Hot dam.

What did we miss?


Fun Fact: Boulder City, formerly the town where dam workers were housed, still does not allow gambling within town limits, a regulation imposed in the 1930s. Boulder City is the only town in Nevada to prohibit gambling.

So we did not linger.

Final stop.

And the source of my mother's spiral into debauchery.

For at least a second.

{images: Jamie}

The Post About South by Southwest Part 2

Next stop on the trip is apparently a mecca for the globe.

The Grand Canyon.


I know it's a hot spot like St. Bart's and Dubai since only 1 out of every 10 folks spoke English.

Très bien.


Another occupant of this national park. But it's the kind of apartment dweller who stays up late, plays Vanilla Ice with open windows and then bites your hand at the dumpster.


Another neighbor is the pack mules. They are strangely disciplined, forceful and won't let you get up. Not unlike my first grade teacher, Mrs. Stanford.

I bet the mules would not think my defiance is the result of a hearing problem. YOU WEREN'T ALWAYS RIGHT NANCY.


I challenged my senior parents to a dainty multi-mile hike around the rim.


She is never with him.


And he is never with her.

This is a result of our inability to all stay together. Remember what I wrote about traveling with toddlers?

We stayed in the national park, which is a MUST if you're going for more than 1 day. We stayed at the Yavapai Lodges which looked like a rundown Super 8 motel in the woods.

And I do mean "woods" since this was the view from our window.

However, there were granite countertops, 400 thread count sheets and a lovely flat screen.

After experiencing such beauty (which you can see more of at my flickr stream) it's time for the perfect souvenir.

Do you know what a single woman of 34 with discerning taste and a sugar mama who's paying picks?


Book is divided by type of death - suicide, murder, dehydration, freak accidents, etc.

LOVE IT.

And loved this.


Next? We transitioned from one of God's creation to another off Route 66:


{images: Jamie}

The Post About South by Southwest Part I

I plotted and planned a trip to the Southwest.

And I let my parents pay for it.

We flew from Birmingham to Phoenix.

On the plane, my mother talked through her fear of flying and my dad looked out the window.

They maintained those positions for almost 4 hours.

Phoenix = best meal of the trip. Dining bloggetizer coming soon...

Let's take a moment to talk about Arizona.

Hot. Period.

And all of those folks mumbling something to themselves about "dry" versus "humid" can KISS IT.

105 degrees is toasty. Whitney lip or no Whitney lip.

There are cacti and bushes and piles of rocks. Most of which are pretty snazzy to stare at.

Aren't they adorable? You can't tell from this picture, but he is harboring a fear of directions and she is trying to nurture with sugar free purse snacks.


I don't know why John McCain has to hog all the pretty. Exhibit A: Sedona.


You just want to pinch the baby cacti cheeks.


Even God has a house amongst the red rocks.


His humble abode is next to this one. I hope they tithe.

Sedona is a must-stop for anyone in the neighborhood - the drive alone is worth it.

But it's just a sugar free mint to the filet mignon that was coming...


{images: Jamie}

The Re-Post About Alliances

We are still in sin city. Minimal sinning - pinky swears. Worst thing that's actually happening is a lack of college football.

This post was originally published on September 24, 2008. Penn State can stick it.
-------------------------------------
Football. I don't particularly get fired up about the sport - until I watch it. Then I am all about it for some reason. I think it's the same thing I love about Tivo - instant replay.

College football falls somewhere between God and pageants in Alabama and you must make a decision in utero as to where your loyalties will lie. For all intents and purposes, I support the University of Alabama over Auburn University. This decision was made after much research and taking family history into consideration. OR - I simply prefer the color red over orange.

In my family - we are not diehards, which explains the following system of support:

1. Always root for UA.
2. Always root for Auburn, unless it conflicts with #1.
3. Always root for SEC teams unless it conflicts with #1 or #2.
4. Never root for Tennessee, even if in conflict with #3.
5. Never root for non-SEC teams, unless their opponent is higher ranked than any SEC team (sans Tennessee.)

My alma mater had an agreement with a past donor to never develop a football team because of the violence.

We have rugby instead. The Fighting Emory Eagles!

The Re-Post About Guns and Religion

Today we are in Vegas. My parents are the role models for tee-totaling, so they'll be very few vices. But there will be Blackjack. Because I said so.

The post was originally published on November 13, 2008. Share your vices. Make me feel better.
------------------------------------------
The economy is in the crapper. We should all be trying to save, right? I have tried to cut back in many areas, but there are some things that I cling to like guns and religion. Here's a list of five sacrifices I am not willing to make quite yet. I might seriously consider cutting them out if it came down to them or electricity in my home. Might.

1. Internet on my Phone. I crave it like heroin. Especially while I am driving. (Better to be surfing on the phone, than having a hit of heroin on the interstate...)
2. Tivo. Another drug of choice.
3. Cheez-Its. Cheese Nips and store-brand cheese crackers are for those missing taste buds at the tip of their tongues.
4. Face Products. I am now closer to death than I have ever been. Therefore, I will be fighting every wrinkle and age spot and puffiness with an arsenal comparable to that of the Taliban.
5. Chick-Fil-A. First of all, it simply tastes yummy. Second of all, it is really like tithing because it's "Christian Chicken." My debit card swipe for an 8-pack of nuggets is really an an act of worship. Wait...

What would you keep on buying even if your wallet suggested otherwise?

The Re-Post About SlapYourMomma Truffles

Today we're traveling Route 66. All my GPS efforts are focused on getting to an In-N-Out. Pure and simple goodness.

This post was originally published on June 3, 2009. If you want your own pure and simply goodness - make these.
-------------------------------------------
I never condone family violence, but these chocolate peanut butter truffles are good.


The suspects. Notice I went brand name on everything but the whipped topping. Cool Whip can stick it for 23 cents more.


This recipe is from a Cool Whip cookbook called "Simple Desserts." I kinda feel bad about that "stick it" comment from before. I apologize.


I microwaved the chocolate in intervals until it was nice and gooey.


I stirred in peanut butter. This is a Pampered Chef gadget that was worth the purchase just for peanut butter. Of course, you lose out on the cursing and yelling from trying to get the stuff out of a regular measuring cup.

I mixed that up and left it until it cooled to room temp. Since the oven had been on and it leaks gas, it was approximately 102 degrees. Make your own call.

Stirred in COOL WHIP. The whole tub. Minus what you need to taste test to make sure it's fresh.

Refrigerated for 1 hour+. My fridge is warmer than most because of frugality. It took a little longer.

Shaped into 1-inch balls and let them take a powdered sugar bath. There is no messier thing you will ever do in your life. Unless you work with sewage. Then a close second.

Placed in mini liners and watched people enjoy. Might be good to line serving dish with cigarettes. They are that good.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Truffles

1 package (8 squares) Baker's Semi-Sweet Chocolate

1/2 cup peanut butter

1 tub (8 oz) COOL WHIP topping, thawed

Bath items: powered sugar, sprinkles, chopped nuts, coconut, etc.

Microwave chocolate in large bowl on high 2 minutes or until chocolate is melted, stirring halfway through heating time.

Stir in peanut butter until smooth. Cool to room temperature. Stir in whipped topping.

Refrigerate 1 hour. Shape into 1-inch balls. Roll in bath items of choice. Store in refrigerator.

Makes about 3 dozen. (minus the ones you taste test for freshness.)

{images: Jamie}

The Re-Post About Aunt Flow Apologies

Today we're at the Grand Canyon. This means I'm in a photography coma trying to navigate things like white balance and aperture. And I'm probably acting like a putz.

This post was originally posted on March 23, 2009.
-----------------------------------
As I've mentioned before, we're walking through the book of Genesis in my weekly Bible study (31 chapters in...) I thought I would do a recap of some things we've learned so far:

1. Women were very attractive even into their 80's and later. This is why their husbands would pretend the women were their sisters. This prevented the "other" men who clearly couldn't control themselves around these hot mamas from killing the "man of the house." In reality, they weren't brother and sister - more like, half-brother and sister or cousins. That's much better.

2. Babies were often named after something significant related to the circumstance of their birth. For example, Jacob (son of Isaac and Rebekah) has a name similar to the Hebrew word for "heel" because he was holding his twin brother's foot upon exiting the womb. If my parents had employed this method, I would have been named Melonheada.

3. Stealing something from a family member never works out well. If you did attempt this, you needed to leave home immediately and only return when you could provide 100 sheep or a water well named in their honor as a peace offering. The exception to this rule was Rachel (wife to Jacob). She stole her father's household idols and hid them in her riding saddle. When he began the search, she apologized for not being able to rise from the camel because she was "in a woman way." It's good to know this special monthly arrival has been a go-to excuse for women for thousands of years. I knew it.

I've also been reminded that God is slow to anger when His children are putzes. I'm a regular recipient of this mercy.

The Post About High Maintenance Traveling

In less than 12 hours, I'll be on vacation with my parents.

And surprisingly, no impending anxiety attack.

I actually adore my Mom and Dad and I anticipate those feelings will be intact after a week in the Southwest.

Of course, sometimes life lets me down.

"Feelings" re-evaluation posted next week.

As a sidebar...

I'm packing several things just for my parents.
1. Soft headphones.
2. Sugarfree candy.
3. Movie rentals.
4. First aid kit.
5. Age appropriate music playlists and audiobooks.
6. Peanut butter crackers.
7. Magazines.

Note: This list can easily be substituted for a toddler.

{image: nhanusek}

The Post About The Rabbit Recommends v.80

Each weekend, I post a readable, a watchable, and a listenable of which I'm fond. You can choose what happens next. Earlier volumes can be found here.

Read

I got Konrad my Nikon D40 SLR camera over a year ago and I still feel like I'm learning to drive a stickshift with no feet. I've tried to read so many sites and every explanation comes up a little short. I know I should take a class, but I like to spend my money at Redbox and Chick-Fil-A. Luckily, Kevin and Amanda saved this day with this top-notch tutorial.

Watch

I love award shows. Fancy clothes, awkward red carpet questions, and losers who aren't me. The Emmys were last week and I thought they were the best yet (based on my measly 15 year streak of watching - nerd). My recommendation is largely due to this phenomenal opening number.

Listen

A recent concert excursion to see Dave Barnes led me to Steve Moakler. He's got that John Mayer vibe without being the occasional tool. Of course, he's probably a tool at times too, because who of us isn't? I digress. Steve's latest album is All The Faint Lights which is worthy of some loose change.

The Post About Cupcakes and Nashvegas

I recently popped up to Nashville to visit my friend Caryann.

In theory.

It was really a veiled attempt to eat my way across yet another city.


(l to r - Scott, Josie, Gresham, Caryann).

These are people I enjoy standing under a sign I will now give similar affection.

Puckett's Grocery & Restaurant has 2 locations in the metro Nashville area and we graced the Franklin store. A great "country" feel with a breakfast buffet I love so much that I'm considering shacking up with it.


While in Franklin, we verified that Carrie Underwood made a good choice by choosing Ivey Cake to create her recent wedding cupcake tower.


We tried the "I Do" and the "Hot Mess" and "The Breakup" and the "Crazy Ex."

Devouring the "I Do" which is vanilla cake with white vanilla buttercream icing, is a moment I will always cherish.

And try to replicate.


On the same block was this delightful refuge of sugar and all things pleasant. Naticakes.


Cookies and Cream, Chocolate Salted Caramel, Pretty Princess, and Tuxedo.

Oh my.

That salted caramel haunts my dreams.

My suggestion? Get the "I Do" from Ivey Cake and then walk one block and buy as much as your hands can hold at Naticakes.

And feel good about it since 10% of the profits support the Natalie Wynn Carter Foundation to help children around the world.

Who cares about a measly inch or two added to the thighs when it's for the children?

{images: Jamie}