Ye Olde Spaghetti Squash

Vegetables...an important part of any healthy diet. Here are two new ones to try. Roasted spaghetti squash served with a classic marinara sauce and melted mozzarella. Delicious!!!Steamed broccoli topped with freshly grated Mizithra cheese. Bright, crisp and tasty-tasty! If you would like to try these items, visit your local Spaghetti Factory today or, make them at home. I was lucky enough to share them with two delightful ladies and dear friends: Diane and Aldana! Thanks for our spontaneous outing! Great to see you and catch up!! Love ya both!

Idol Chatter...top 11 (again)

Well, this is a bit late...I've got to figure out a better system for getting this all posted on Wednesday night. So here's a quick run-down of the best and worst. My top 3 performances were Casey, Lauren and Paul. They all picked really good songs that fit their voices and their personalities. And they all have a personality! I especially loved Lauren and Casey. That Lauren has just got the "x" factor as Simon calls it on his new show, soon to air. And Casey saved himself last night with a stellar performance and a cleaned-up version of the scruffy leprechaun. Nice work! Worst performances: Naima. Seriously, America...vote her off the island. She's cooky and reggae is NOT what America wants, or the dancing. Thia. I loved her voice in the beginning...but now she just seems so vanilla and boring. Kind of a snoozer. Then there's Hailey. The judges seem to LOVE her and were really selling her hard last night. I don't get it. And way to ruin one of my favorite Elton John songs. Ugh. Two contestants will be voted off this week. Here's what has been predicted: Casey-1 Hailey-1 Jacob-1 Naima-3 Stefano-2 Thia-2 We'll see if any of our predictions are right this week. With all those options somebody's got to win a point or two on the leader board game. Good luck everyone!

Congratulations to Nikki who picked both of tonight's "winners" or rather losers. We say goodbye to the African Queen, Naima and the PYT (pretty young thing) Thia. And, Paul escapes narrowly. Whew!

Hilight of tonight: Scotty & Lauren's duet...I might actually become a country fan for these two. Lowlight: Former Idol winner Fantasia's hair roll...what on earth? Whatever..."W"? Who will be next week's victim? My prediction...Stefano or Hailey (please, enough already!).

Famous Dave's

The boys have been dying to eat some quality BBQ at Famous Daves for months now...so Saturday night the craving was finally satisfied! For BBQ, it was really good. I particularly enjoyed the Mac & Cheese. Nikki downloaded the recipe so I'll have to try it sometime. We had a really fun time this weekend with a trip to the Scrapbook Expo, Guadalahonky's, Denver Mattress, Ikea, RC Willey then ended it all at Famous Dave's. Thanks friends...

Idol Chatter...top 11

Well, we had to watch both the performances and results show tonight. I was out of town in the glorious city of Layton for a work conference on Wednesday. So, after Jimmer & the Coug's disappointing loss, we tuned in. For the performances: most everyone stepped up the game this week. Hilights: Paul (Simon) McDonald, Lauren (cute-as-a-button) Alaina and surprisingly, I must say James (I wear a turbin at my waist) Durban. Lowlights: Hailey (really?) and the African Queen herself Naima and the other Queen, Jacob Lusk.

We all predicted that Hailey would be outta there...

Big surprise!

That actually was the MOST DRAMATIC elimination ceremony EVER!! It was just missing the Bachelor's Chris Harrison to tell us this was the final rose for the evening. Holy Smokes! Casey. America, wake up! Glad they saved him. America had it completely wrong and it should have been Hailey (she knew it too). Well, now they're all going on tour. Yeah! I'll be sure to buy my tickets early.

Idol Chatter...Top 12

Okay, top 12. Overall I wasn't terribly impressed tonight. No readl stand-outs for me. I hoping they start to kick it into high gear. There's a lot of potential among them, some are getting too comfortable, others are trying too hard and some just seem to be getting lost in all of the hype. Here's my review of their performances:
1. Naima-pitchy and scream-singing all the way, which is just a louder version of talk-singing. Seemed really disjointed.
2. Paul-though I keep hoping he'll blow me away, it was really boring for me. Freakishly long-legs...?
3. Thia-this girl has an amazing range, put a few nice twists here and there, a bit flat and a bit boring. You're 15, not 55!
4. James-and the tail is back, at least off to the side tonight. Good song choice, poor performance. Quit running around and just sing the song so you do run out of breath.
5. Hailey-as they say, pitchy-kareoke-and that song was WAY too big for you, you're trying too hard.
6. Stefano-best vocals of the night! He seems real comfortable on stage, just needs to connect more to the audience, make me care.
7. Pia-um, the 70's called and they want their pantsuit back! Just okay for me.
8. Scotty-he's got a really smooth voice, nice job singing, but your facial expressions are too cheesy for me.
9. Karen-points for the dramatic hair and giant loop earings and still managing to keep your head up! Every thing seems really forced and un-natural with this girl. Just be.
10. Casey-here I am, now...entertain me. Little creepy with the "crazy" eyes. But you looked like a jr. high kid playing around in his garage. Cobain did it better...never thought I'd say that.
11. Lauren-second best performance of the night! She's got that spunky, young, fun attitude--even with the flu. This should take some lessons from her.
12. Jacob-great song choice!! He seemed pitchy and lagging behind the music, but I've got to say I love the passion and emotion he puts into everything. Loved the ending, wish he'd do more of that kind of stuff.

Well, 3 votes for Hailey to go home, and 1 vote for Naima. Tune in tomorrow for the dramatic results show!
Probably not as exciting as the most dramatic rose ceremony ever...

Well, nobody earned any points on tonight's wagers. Karen, was sent packing. JLo Jr. is hasta la vista baby. Sounds like the real JLo is going to fix all the sound mixing problems, which is why everyone was so "pitchy" last night. Come on, really, it's just a sound mixing problem?? Guess we'll see next week.

And then there were 11...

My Name is Mary Sutter

Book Review: So I just finished reading the book by Robin Oliveira called My Name is Mary Sutter. It was a very interesting look at a woman in Civil War times that wants to become a surgeon. At the beginning of the book, Mary is a midwife who falls in love with her neighbor, Thomas. As the men go off to war, Mary too leaves home in hopes of learning more about medicine and hoping for a chance to become a doctor. It was amazing to me how much medicine advanced in the few years following the Civil War. And, it makes me so grateful for what we know about the human body and the spread of disease. If only they had antibiotics, so many lives would have been spared.

After some gruesome descriptions of amputations, the harsh realities of the unsanitary conditions and a bit of a love story along the way...it was a book I was sad to put down at the end. Great historical fiction novel! I'd give it 4.5 stars out of 5!

Here's my new vocabulary words I learned, after looking them up. I doubt they will become regulars in my rotation of "smart" words...

Quotidian, enteric, icterus, paucity, dyspeptic, pugnacious, recalcatrant, parsimonious, officious, abstemiousness, suppuration, desultory, quiescent, temerity, petulant, truculent, detritus, phalanx, truculent, intransiqence, timorous, tincture, sputum, sinnous, denizens and perspicacious. Whew! I bet the author was tired after looking all those fancy words up in her thesaurus!

Any good recommendations for my next book?

Idol Chatter...top 13

Tonight we see the re-appearance of Bono jr. (Jimmy Iovine). Jr. and his crew try to shape up the new idols as they perform their "idols". Seems like a lot of idol worship...How does Jimmer feel about the competition??

Here's my $.02 (two cents) on each performance.

1. Lauren-Well, I'm not a Shania fan, and she didn't do all that well, but I'm still a Lauren fan.

2. Casey-Reminds me of a scruffy leprechaun, you rocked it man.

3. Ashton-Our new Diana Ross barbie...looks a like, sort of sounds alike, but who is Ashton?

4. Paul-Who was your idol? Never hear of him...but I idolize you, and your fancy jackets.

5. Pia-You blow me away. And you're beautiful. Where was the fist pound on your chest?

6. James-I didn't recognize him without the tail, great song, I was amazed and you kept the screaching to a minimum level that I could handle.

7. Hailey-Great impersonation of Ms. Rhimes, not sure if it's relevant to today's music?

8. Jacob-A choir, really? I wanted to "fly" out of there...a bit too much for me.

9. Thia-Well, honey, I loved your dress and the beginning of the song, then you lost it for me.

10. Stefano-That's the Stevie Wonder song you chose? I didn't get it, too pitchy for me.

11. Karen-J.Lo Jr. Too many low notes out of your register, she'll get the sympathy vote for mic problems.

12. Scotty-Love the head-bobs and talking eyebrows. Though I'm not a country fan, this is actually one of my all time favorite songs...you're no garth in my opinion.

13. Naima-Her colorful clothing choices remind me of an advertisement for United Colors of Benneton from the late 80's. Crunky-reggae version, not my style. But you look like a characted off the spin-off from the Cosby show "A Different World".

So, I know, it's missing a letter still...I'll fix it tomorrow. If you want to play along, comment on the blog posting and I'll be keeping track of who gets the most points each week. If you beat me, I'll take you out to dinner at the end of the season. Good luck!

My prediction for tomorrow's result show: We say good bye to Ashton. She's just not living up to my high expectations and I'm not sure America really likes her gig. We'll see what happens...

Well, congratulations me! I've got one right so far. N.H. also scored big tonight. Sorry. T.P. none for you tonight. Join us next Wednesday for more Idol Chatter... Or better yet, join us live at C.Dot's home Wednesday's at 8 p.m. to critique the contestants live, or rather on the DVR.

Super Saturday!!

Addy turned 8 last week and was baptized on Saturday. She was super excited and a little nervous. We had a nice family bbq afterwards and enjoyed a great day together. I can't believe how fast your are growing up. And you are such a sweet and talented little girl. I'm sure lucky to be your Aunt Camille!! or is that cat-mill?

Is that nervous excitement I see in both of your eyes???

Parker, parker, parker....how you have shot up like a little weed! Let's always remember the one day that we were the same heigth. I'm sure next week you'll be taller than me...forever. Then you can tower over me and enjoy using me for an arm-rest. What a kid!!

Super Saturday!

Parker, parker, parker...remember the day we were the same heigth...I'm sure next week when I see you again you will be taller than me. You're turning into a fine young man!!

Addy turned 8 and got baptized!!! I can't believe she is so grown up. Seems like just last week she was a tiny baby I was holding in my arms...Ah, so proud of you sweetie!!

Idol Chatter

After two rousing evenings of performances...I'm ready to predict the people's choice for top 5 boys and girls to be announced tomorrow night. Apparently America picks 10, then the judges pick 10...then we have our AI top 20. New twist this season, but I like it!

Boys:

1. Jun Bug Gamboa--thought his performance was just okay, he's a crowd favorite. So America agrees with me...not that great. Try again next year.

2. James Durban--can't stand his screaming Adam-Lambert style, another crowd fave. The only thing going for this kid in my book is that he upped my % correct.

3. Scotty McCreery--wish you were as cute as the John Wayne kid, but your voice rocks, for country. Yee Haw!

4. Jacob Lusk--a bit flamboyant for my taste, but I do love his voice. Another one correct, time will tell how big the flames burn for this one...

5. Casey Abrams--I'm still confused about him, but he can really sing. Old squinty-eyes made it through, almost the same as old blue-eyes??

**Well I must say I am thrilled by America's choice of Paul McDonald!! I really like this guy, I wanted him to make it through, what a smile!! Reminds me of Ross and his "white" teeth.

Girls:

1. Lauren Turner--great powerhouse voice, and she seems real. Ah, what happened??

2. Ashton Jones (aka: Jonesy)--she is a diva and a great performer! Made it by the skin of her teeth.

3. Thia Megia--a captivating performance, really caught my attention. Loved the MJ reference. Cha-ching! I'm starting to like her a bit.

4. Lauren Alaina--she is fun, she's young and a natural entertainer. Double cha-ching!

5. Pia Toscana--she sang like I was hoping Julie Z. would, blew her out of the water! Triple hitter!

We'll see if my average goes up tomorrow night. Can I beat my previous 73%? Well, 7/10, so just a 70%. Not as good as I was hoping for....

Big surprise, I was completely wrong about the judges picks. So 3 "wild-card" picks. Glad they kept Ashton Jones, but I could do without the others. I've just about got the leader board ready for tomorrow night's big show... 3/8/11

Brick Oven...Behind the Scenes

Last Friday I had the spontaneous opportunity to go on a behind-the-scenes tour at a Classic Provo Establishment: Brick Oven. They were very gracious and accommodated our group on the spur of the moment and spent nearly an hour answering our every question. Did you know there is a basement at Brick Oven? And this particular location can seat 450 guests and on a Friday/Saturday night they will turn that over 4-5 times. Incredible! Another fun fact: Brick Oven opened in 1956 as Heaps-a-Pizza. My parents went on a date or two there...I've been on a date or two there...what about you? Think of how many dating couples have been there over the years...right in the heart of BYU...staggering! I feel like a part of history.

Taco...Monday?

On President's Day we went and checked out the new Mexican restaurant in PG/AF. La Costa was a delicious treat and a nice surprise. Impeccably clean, bright with lots of natural light, and great service. They scored a 3.75 on the Taco Scale for their food, 4.5 for service, 5.0 for WPF and a 5.0 for atmosphere. Overall a solid choice. Way to go La Costa!!