Keurig Revolution!

If you're having trouble thinking of a great Christmas gift for your family, the Keurig coffee machines should top your list.  I was the last of my family to jump on the Keurig bandwagon, but I couldn't pass up a Black Friday discount on this Keurig B-40 machine.  There are different types of machines -my sister has one that gives you 3 sizes and you can time it to brew when you wake up in the morning.  My little B-40 doesn't have a clock, and comes with only 2 cup sizes, but it's perfect for me!

With the Keurig coffee machine you brew one cup at a time so you are never stuck with stale pot coffee, and the brewing system is in the individual K-cups so there's no cleanup!

There are over 200 varieties of coffee, tea, hot chocolate and even apple cider!  You can buy the K-cups online, but I suggest using your weekly 20% off coupons at Bed Bath & Beyond -they always have a large selection of K-cups.





You can also get a "My K-cup" which is a little filter basket the size of a K-Cup, that you can put your own ground coffee in.  Which helps if you drink a lot of coffee, and if they don't supply your favorite flavor (like the Coconut Macaroon coffee from Archer Farms -YUM!).

The problem I've run across is where do you put all of those K-cups?!  My sister puts them in a basket above her fridge, but you can also purchase different sized carousels, or a drawer (like the one I have) that your Keurig machine can sit on.





So far I'm in love with the Golden French Toast, Chocolate Glazed Doughnut, Chai, Milk Chocolate Cocoa, Spicy Eggnog, Cinnamon Roll, Gingerbread, and Butter Toffee flavored coffees/hot chocolate K-Cups, and I'm looking forward to trying the Pumpkin Spice coffee and the apple cider!

Check out some more informational videos on the Keurig Coffee Revolution on YouTube!

Jen Ponders Christmas Song Lyrics and Meanings

I'd like to deticate this blog entry to Amber Evenstar, because this is exactly the sort of conversation we would have while baking Christmas cookies.

I don’t know about you, but my commute to work and back home again has been much happier since I tuned into Coast 103.5 recently (“official soundtrack to your holidays”).  Christmas music is a nice distraction from the crazy traffic, but because I have the time to sit in my car and listen to my fav Xmas classics for an hour, I’ve been really listening to the lyrics.  Ever notice how most Christmas songs (except for most of the religious ones) are very filled with some pretty upsetting innuendos?  Well I have…..and here are some of those songs, and some comments/memories on some other Christmas songs I've been hearing lately:

Baby It’s Cold Outside  -“say, what’s in the drink?” is suggesting that our Mistletoe Romeo has spiked or drugged Juliet to get into her Christmas cheer if you know what I’m saying.  *wink*

I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus  -“what a laugh it would have been if Daddy had only seen Mommy kissing Santa Claus last night” –oh silly Mommy and her holiday whoring around!

It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas  -no comment on the lyrics, well, maybe that it cements gender stereotypes when referring to the types of toys the male and female children want, but I have no beef with that; I’m a traditionalist.  But I do have this quirky memory of this one year where my dad had this song stuck in his head for the entire year and he’d break into song every week or so, sing the “It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas” part, and then would hum the rest to himself.  My mom, my sister and I would raise one eyebrow, look at each other and shrug.  So now every Christmas I think about that when I hear that song…..or even in anticipation of hearing that song.  I always thought it was hilarious, and I can’t imagine having a Christmas song stuck in your head for a full year.

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year  -“There'll be scary ghost stories and tales of the glories of Christmases long, long ago” –uh…..ghost stories on Christmas?  Sweet, count me in!  Also, “with the kids jingle-belling” –that sounds like slang for something devious…..

Christmas At Ground Zero  -…….this song is just awesome.  Period.

All I Want For Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth  -“Everybody pauses and stares at me, these two teeth are gone as you can see.  I don’t know just who to blame for this catastrophe”  -beware kids –especially if you live in an abusive household!  If you act up or cause trouble, “someone” is getting their teeth knocked down their throat…..I like the mouse version where he slides down the banister too fast and breaks his teeth…..hey mouse, is that also your excuse for that back eye, or did you walk into a door too?

The Little Drummer Boy  -“the ox and lamb kept time” –how did they do THAT?!  Those are some musically talented farm animals.

Winter Wonderland  -let me get this straight, our Twinkle-toe Romeo won’t pop the big question, so he’s stringing our Juliet along with fake snowman ministers and dreaming by the fire?  I don’t think so….dump him and get a real man!  Preferably one who chops down his own Christmas tree and doesn't make excuses when it's time to shovel the snow off the driveway.

Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer  -shiny red nose?  That isn’t a miracle –I think Rudolph got into Santa’s scotch.  I bet next you’re going to tell me the story of how “Ernie The Dilated Pupils Elf” helped Santa meet his toy quota for the year.

Blue Christmas  -thanks Elvis, like I wasn’t having a tough time as is being single on Christmas, you have to hit us all with a wrist-cutting “I’m so alone” song?  Perk up singles; it’s Christmas!  You should be feeling happy –people are doing great things for each other because of the holiday season!  You’re just hurting yourself by being depressed…..get off your lazy ass and do something nice for a friend or neighbor.  Sorry.....Christmas pet peeve tangent.

Christmas Shoes  -I JUST SAID we don’t need another depressing Christmas song……and this one makes me cry every time, so I change the channel whenever I hear it.  Not to mention a friend of mine who’s mom was dying, bought her Christmas shoes and my heart breaks every time I think about it.

Holly Jolly Christmas  -“Oh ho, the mistletoe, hung where you can see.  Somebody waits for you –kiss her once for me!”  -mistletoe has always intrigued me.  Not because you are supposed to kiss under a parasitic plant that is often spread through bird feces, but because a boy and a girl never just meet at a party and suddenly realize they are standing under mistletoe, like in the movies.  No, either it’s a sad and desperate loner waiting under it to be kissed, or there’s a stalker close by lying in wait for someone to walk under it, oblivious.  No magic; just a lip-rape waiting to happen.....and some inappropriate FaceBook statuses bragging about it soon after.

I Want A Hippopotamus For Christmas  -well that’s just silly.  But it’s my sister’s favorite Christmas song (second to, of course, Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer).

Grandma Got Ran Over By A Reindeer  -my apologies if your Grandma really did get run over by a reindeer…….this must be a really difficult time for you and your family.

Last Christmas  -This song is a warning to us all; don’t let Christmas be your excuse for falling back into old, abusive relationships just because you’re lonely and you think there’s magic in the air….that’s just the cider talking.  You don’t “need” a fling to “last” you over the holidays…..you just need some good friends and maybe more cider.  Mmm cider.  BTW I had the BEST non-alcoholic apple cider yesterday at Fresh and Easy –go buy some like RIGHT NOW!

Santa Baby  -Ok, OBVIOUSLY this is the “striptease” music of the holiday season…..and everyone sings this song like they are desperate for some Christmas lovin…..I thought Macy Grey’s “smoker’s lung” version of this song was the worst until I heard Madonna’s version the other night; she sounds like a coked-up tween from the Bronx!  My ears are still crying…..

Suzy Snowflakes  -This year was the first year I’ve heard this song.  It’s so annoying!  Did someone argue for women’s rights against all the male Christmas figures?  Because Suzy Snowflakes tapping at your window asking “come out ev’ryone and play” with her just sounds like a peeping-tom prostitute; not very woman’s lib.

This Christmas  -Fireside is blazing bright, we're caroling through the night.  And this Christmas, will be a very special Christmas, for me yeah.  Ooh yeah, yeah yeah, alright, yeah yeah yeah, yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah, yeah yeah, alright now, right now, now”  -……..do I even need to comment on this one?!

Mall Kiosks: No! Leave me alone! I already have a cell phone and I don't need more lotion or another hair straightener! >:(

Where is the personal space line at malls these days?  I noticed when I moved back to Cali that the center aisle vendors were much more aggressive than in CO, but this economy is driving them to extreme measures!  I know that they work on commission, but it's not my responsibility to pay their bills by paying insane prices on low quality items -except for my Dead Sea salt facial scrub.....and lotion....and nail buffer block.....those I needed.  ;)

Usually you can just politely say "no thank you" and they'll leave you alone.  Last holiday season I couldn't even make eye contact with them.  Today I shook my head and kept my eyes forward and the jerk actually steps in front of me and before I knew it he was grabbing my hands to put lotion on them!  I kept saying "no" "no I'm running late" "no I don't have the money" "no I already have something similar at home" and he STILL kept talking AND he kept mimicking my body language like me putting my hands out to keep him at a distance was some sort of joke or game!  I had to sharply pull my hands away, look him straight in the eye and loudly said "NO!  I don't want anything!" And then I ran away.  "Ok, but you're going to regret it later!"  -he called after me.  So not only do I get physically harassed but I get threats too?  How is that ok?!  I wish I had my tazer gun or a can of mase to empty into his grinning skull.  I was running late, I was on my lunch break, and I just wanted to get the hell out of there -otherwise I would have complained to Customer Service.  I hope he tries that with the wrong person next time and gets kneed in the groin.

I HATE going into the malls out here so I try to avoid them or go during the week on my lunch break....but I had a return and the Victoria Secret in Pasadena is on the street and I'd have to pay for parking.  I miss my mall rat days in Colorado.....those were happy times.


Why can't people just leave me the hell alone in the mall?!  I had to walk by that guy again on my way out, so I went the long way around.  I kept my head down and typed on my iPhone -but then someone from the cell phone booth started yelling out "hey, HEY!  What kind of cell phone do you use?!"  I literally ran until I reached the comfort of Bed Bath and Beyond.  I bet they get a lot of sales because of the stress-soothing products they have.  I had a coupon, so I bought a "side sleeper" neck and back pillow before I left.  Side note, God Bless BB&B for playing The Beach Boys as soon as I walked in.  It's like they knew I needed a pick me up.  :)

It's November ALREADY?!

Did everyone have a fun Halloween?  I noticed that there was a huge decrease of parties this year –side effect of a bad economy, or laziness?  I’m thinking laziness because the few get-togethers I heard about were on Saturday which WAS NOT Halloween but people kept calling it that….it was weird.  I was at home finishing up my Halloween episode for Guy Eating Cereal “Halloween Costume Contest”, and if you haven’t watched it yet, please do: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kfcL_v-p6XY

I was tired, but even more determined to go out on Halloween this year in costume because the last two years I was stuck at home (food poisoning/breakup).  My friend Adam invited me to go with him and his friend Martin to the West Hollywood Costume Carnival.  We had a lot of fun -at least after we found parking, which took 2 hours!  So many great costumes –Chilean miner in a tube, a “like” FaceBook box, a house disclosure, a stock market index, tranny Lady Gagas, Mario Kart characters (with tiny karts), Fraggles, Avatars, Michael Jacksons, Pirates, Superheros, Zombies, Fat Glenda the Good Witches, Fat Alice (she apparently ate the WRONG cookie!), Red Queens, Pac Man, some Angry Birds, and even Quail Man (err, Quail Woman)!

Adam was a goth chick, I was Snow White, and Martin was……Martin.  :)

 

 

There were a few food trucks between the sea of costumes, and we stopped to try some drunken shrimp and chips from the Shrimp Pimp truck!  The garlic fries and the fried shrimp were delicious, and now I can check off another truck on my food truck challenge list!  I’m attempting to try as many food trucks as possible, so if you share my curiosity let me know and I’ll plan a food truck adventure day soon!

We saw a street fight and they attempted to break the Guinness Record for the largest group "Time Warp" dance, but I think the highlight of the night was running into the Fraggle Rock dance party!

Guy Eating Cereal - Episode 12 - "Halloween Costume Contest"

I was picked by Wit's End Productions to be an editor on the popular YouTube web series, "Guy Eating Cereal" this year, and my first episode is finished!  Check it out and Happy Halloween!!!  Also be sure to check out the previous episodes on http://guyeatingcereal.com/ !!!

Yelp Reviews

 Please check out my reviews on Yelp.com!  I have 96 reviews so far.....

http://www.yelp.com/user_details?userid=FfrdigNLGDv_ZellgdSqlQ

FALL

Is it officially Fall in Pasadena yet?  It certainly feels like it, smells like it, tastes like it and even sounds like it, but I’ve been fooled before.  The weather is convincing enough, but California’s two weather conditions of sun and rain can be interchangeable in any season.  I’m tempted to make the fall transition, but crossing over too early could mean some miserable conditions ahead in my apartment.

TRANSITIONS

Wheels are in motion; the leaves are changing color, the pumpkin spice lattes are at Starbucks, and I’m actually wearing socks!  It’s been two days since I turned off all 9 of my fans that I need to keep my apartment cool, and the next step is to put them away in my storage closet and take down the fan I have in my bedroom window (because it’s letting in the cold air).  But if I replace my cotton sheets with my jersey knit sheets and the heat comes back, I’ll be a sweaty mess of insomnia; so you can understand why I’m a little hesitant.  All of these changes also means cleaning out my storage closet –but hopefully I’ll find my portable space heater and a few other items that went missing this year. 

SMACKED IN THE FACE BY CHRISTMAS

You know what else is in my storage closet?  My beautiful 6ft, pre-lit Christmas tree and all of my Christmas decorations!  My gorgeous tree is going up A WHOLE WEEK before Thanksgiving this year because I’m going out of town, and I want the feeling of being smacked in the face by Christmas when I get back from visiting my sister in Florida.  Speaking of Thanksgiving –I’m so excited to visit Christine and Callum’s new place in Fort Lauderdale!  I haven’t seen it yet, and even though Thanksgiving in Palm Springs last year was fun, I’m never having a “store bought” Thanksgiving meal again!  Not if I’m fully capable of making the whole meal from scratch myself.   It always feels like a sitcom when Christine and I are in the kitchen, but damn; we do Thanksgiving right (maybe not as good as Mom’s, but she taught us well)!  The following day it’s tradition to shop the early bird Black Friday sales, make left-over turkey sandwiches for lunch, decorate the apartment for Christmas, bake Spritz cookies using my Grandmother’s recipe, and watch either “Christmas Vacation”, “Home Alone”, or “Scrooged”.  It’s going to be great; my mother makes sure we are never short on Christmas supplies each year.  Seriously though, it looks like Christmas threw up all over my apartment every season; I LOVE IT!  And this year I have requests to stay in SoCal to celebrate with my aunt and cousins, so I’m thinking of throwing a Christmas Eve fondue party for anyone who’s in town for the holidays!  Sorry condo in Mazatlan, Mexico –I’ll come visit for Christmas next year, but you know I’ll miss my Christmas morning massage on the beach.  *sad sigh*

FALL COOKING

I can hear my fall cooking appliances (that I bought on sale this summer) calling to me like eerie ghosts, “Use us, use us!  We’ve been waiting for you to unwrap us!”  -Soon, very soon I’ll break out my virgin Dutch Oven, Emulsion blender, Fondue sets (I own 3 sets now), and mini Soufflé dishes, but not just yet.  But oh how I’ve been waiting in agony to make beef stew, beer cheese soup, pumpkin soup, pot roast, Italian meatloaf, and cheese fondue!  Grilling in the summer is fun, but slow roasting a pot roast all day until your apartment smells like meat Christmas is nothing short of divine!  If next week is as chilly and rainy as this week has been so far, then I’ll have to celebrate with some hot, comforting meal that has an 8 hour+ cooking time, and invite friends over for dinner.  In the meantime, I’ll stick with ramen and carrot sticks until I can better gage this weekend’s grocery list. 

 

 Also, in 2 weeks my CutCo 7” Santoku knife with the ivory handle will be arriving in the mail!  Slicing squishy fruit and veggies will no longer be an issue, but keeping that sharp knife away from slicing open my fingers might; I’ll have to take it easy on my slicing speed. 

SOME STYLE

The rainy weather is a nice break from the hellish heat that the last few weeks brought down on us West Coast-ers, and even though I’m a year-round flip flop girl, my UGGS looked so lonely NOT to wear them!  Even though I didn’t get much use out of my winter wardrobe last year, I am still hanging onto a big armful of sweaters from living in Colorado.  Eventually I’ll have a big overhaul of my closet and retire a big percent to Good Will, but for now I’ll move my favorite long sleeved shirts to the front of the line.  My 8 year old Nike flip flops are getting ratty, but I don’t have the heart to throw them out….they are the only pair of shoes that have never hurt my feet.  I guess I can go back to Nordstroms and buy another pair, but it’s a nostalgia thing; like wearing my brown hoodie from my days on the Paramount Pictures lot, or my $5 “wall-street-suit-turned-hippie-made" silver ring from Tom’s Farms.  I’m not a style guru, I just like what I like….and this season I really like my gloves and my black and gray plaid beanie that I bought last year at the Guess outlet!  If this rain continues, I need to purchase another big black golf umbrella (I just like the style and how it wraps around me), because last season my golf umbrella fell victim to a tragic “dragged through the mud” accident on a film shoot. 

PUMPKIN SPICE AND EVERYTHING NICE

I love pumpkins.  I love pumpkin soup, I love pumpkin seeds, I love pumpkin spiced lattes, I love pumpkin bread, and I love carving pumpkins for Halloween!  But this year is the year that I’m going to attempt to grow MY OWN pumpkin in my big planter on my patio garden, so we’ll see how that goes.  I’ve been reading some articles and apparently pumpkins thrive well in containers, especially if you grow them vertically on a trellis, using cheesecloth hammocks to support the heavier pumpkins, so they won’t be as susceptible to pests, rot, mold, and diseases, like if you grow them on the ground.

I’m looking forward to the Fall/Winter/Slightly Colder season in Pasadena this year, and especially the holidays (Snow White for Halloween)!  Stay tuned for more reviews, reports, and Pumpkin Watch 2010!

Jen Wants a Puppy

*sigh*  It's true.  I want a puppy.  Unfortunately, money plays a huge factor, and I just can't afford one.  But I do have the time, space, dedication, and love for one, so soon as I get a full time job, you bet I'll be considering it.  In the meantime, I like to dream about my future puppy and how I'm going to care for him/her.  Thanks to the wonderful people at Sky Mall, I can browse through their extensive pet products that would make training a small/medium sized puppy in an apartment, easy as pie.  (Is pie easy?)  Check it out:

Indoor/Outdoor Pet Bed
Designed with a powder-coated steel frame that snaps together easily, this sturdy indoor/outdoor dog bed features a woven polyester cover that allows air to circulate all around. The double-stitched fabric is UV protected and mildew resistant, plus has a contrast trim for a decorative look. To clean the elevated dog bed, just spray with your hose. Keep an extra cover (sold separately) on hand to ensure your dog's comfort or easily change the look of your Indoor/Outdoor Dog Bed.

Benefits of the Indoor/Outdoor Dog Bed:

• Elevated dog bed keeps your pet cleaner and away from wet grass, cold snow, hot cement, and ground insects
• The breathable fabric of the Indoor/Outdoor Dog Bed keeps your dog more comfortable
• Easily move this weather-resistant elevated dog bed from indoors to outdoors
• Replacement covers are available for the Indoor/Outdoor Dog Bed
  

Indoor Dog Restroom
This mat-and-tray system gives dogs a place to relieve themselves when they can't get outside for respite. Ideal for high rise-dwelling dogs, when owners aren't home, or even just for times of harsh weather, this ingenious system uses a mat made of antimicrobial, porous artificial turf that gives off an organic scent to attract dogs, so they can be taught quickly that it is an acceptable spot for relieving themselves.
The mat sits on top of a plastic insert which allows liquid to drain into the included tray for easy clean-up. The turf yarn is a unique construction specially designed for use with dogs, and its antimicrobial composition helps prevent odors. The tray is easy to empty and can hold up to two gallons of liquid. 2" H x 30" W x 20" L. (6-1/2 lbs.)

The Indoor Barking Dog DeterrentThis patented device quickly and humanely restores peace and quiet to a home vexed by a dog's excessive barking. No special collar is required; when a dog barks within 25' of the unit, it emits a harmless ultrasonic tone, inaudible to humans, that startles the animal into silence. The dog quickly associates its bark with the unpleasant sound, which conditions him to curb this undesirable behavior.
The unit can also be activated manually to help you correct a dog's other bad habits, such as lying on furniture or foraging through the trash. One 9-volt battery (not included) provides power for about two months, and an LED indicates battery life. For indoor use only.

Folding Pet Gate
Whether you're cooking in the kitchen or vacuuming the family room, this folding pet gate moves easily to wherever you need it to confine your pet. Simply unfold the hinged panels and stand in place in a zigzag configuration -- no wall attachment needed.
The 2-panel gate is ideal for doorways. The 3-panel gate has double hinges that allow you to create a "U" shape against a wall. Folds flat for storage.
Each panel is 26"W x 36"H.

Pet Trainer Alarm
Train your pets to stay off furniture and countertops. No more chasing your dog off the sofa! Pet Trainer works around the clock, even when you're away, to change your pet's behavior. Place it where you don't want your dog or cat to go. The slightest vibration triggers a brief, two-second alarm that sends them scurrying.
Alarm resets and sounds again, as long as motion continues. Uses one 9-volt battery (included). ABS plastic. Made in the USA.

Neater Feeder
Pets who are messy eaters have met their match with this uniquely designed dog feeder.Spilled food stays in the top section of the Neater Feeder while water filters through to a lower reservoir for easy emptying. The Neater Feeder also has protective sides that keep any mess from ending up on your floor or walls. As a bonus, the Neater Feeder for dogs includes FREE leg extensions to raise feeding height to accommodate any size pet.
Made in the USA of recycled polypropylene, the Neater Feeder is top-rack dishwasher safe and includes removable stainless steel bowls. Neater Feeder for small dogs includes two 1-pint bowls; Neater Feeder for large dogs includes two 2-quart bowls.

Benefits of the Neater Feeder:

• Front wall of the dog feeder is contoured towards bowl
• Lower reservoir of Neater Feeder has archway so pets can comfortably reach bowls
• Neater Feeder's filtering feature separates spilled food from spilled water
• Dog feeder also features non-skid feet to prevent slipping
• FREE leg extensions included!

Paw Plunger Paw Cleaner
No more muddy carpets! Just fill the Paw Plunger with warm water, insert a paw, then move the paw cleaner up and down. The soft bristles inside the Paw Plunger will knock off clumps of mud and grass, remove road salt or pesticides, and leave your dog's paws dirt-free and safe for your furniture. The paw cleaner's plastic spill-resistant design makes cleanup easy. You can also use the Paw Plunger for medicinal soaks, or to melt the ice balls that get trapped in your dog's paws after a walk in the snow. The Paw Plunger is recommended for dogs 20-80 lbs.

Benefits of the Paw Plunger:

• Use this paw cleaner to gently clean your dog's paws before he tracks dirt into your house
• Paw Plunger provides neat and easy cleaning; no dripping like you get with hoses or water buckets
• The bristles inside the Paw Plunger thoroughly clean in between your dog's paw pads 

I'm still deciding which breed I want the most, but here are my top 5 (not in order)

Shiba Inu

Norwich Terrier

Pembroke Welsh Corgi

English Bulldog

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel