Wednesday's WTF?? 3/3/10

Anyone who knows me knows this: I. LOVE. SHOES. 

But even I can't find anything to love about these...WTF are they? Sneakers? Wedges? Heels?

And then that begs the question - WTF would you pair these with? A nylon windsuit? A velour jogging suit that proclaims your butt is "Juicy"? Satin boxing trunks?

I realize that I don't live in a fashion mecca, but seriously? I can't even imagine. And check out the price tag - $500 on sale. These babies are available from zappos.com. Just in case you wanted to get a pair.

(The above remarks are JMHO and not meant to offend the designer or anyone who might own these shoes. But I'm laughing at you anyway.)

Beannachtai na Feile Padraig oraibh!

I know it's not St. Patrick's Day yet, but I want you to have time to watch the video (and plan accordingly) and download the music so that you're ready when March 17 rolls around!

I saw this video, and it is hilarious. Everyone definitely needs to see it so that they will know "How to celebrate St. Patrick's Day like an Irishman".

Every party needs music! I've made three St. Patrick's Day playlists for you - and I hope that at least one will suit your party needs.

Remember - on St. Paddy's Day, a party can be a party of one with the right music & drink! Sláinte! This first playlist is all about good Irish drinking songs. *disclaimer* And because they are Irish drinking songs, they may contain lyrics not suitable for young or sensitive ears.

And just a few important Gaelic words/phrases to know when drinking on St. Patrick's Day:

• "Pionta Guinness, le do thoil." - "A pint of Guiness, please."
• "An bhfuil tú ar meisce fós?" - "Are you drunk yet?"
• uisce beatha - whiskey
• sláinte - cheers

Irish Drinking Songs

1. Whiskey in the Jar - The Pogues
2. Kiss Me, I'm S**tfaced - Dropkick Murphys
3. Irish Drinking Song - Buck-O-Nine
4. The Seven Deadly Sins - Flogging Molly
5. The Night That Paddy Murphy Died - 4 Irish Whiskey
6. Whiskey You're the Devil - Stoney Road
7. Drunken Sailor - Blaggards
8. The Beer Song - Seamus Kennedy
9. Beer, Beer, Beer - The Clancy Brothers
10. Old Dun Cow (MacIntyre!) - Brobdingnagian Bards

This next playlist is more for the traditionalist. It contains a lot of classics - and I think most (if not all) are safe for ears of all ages & sensitivity.

And here are some more "traditional" Gaelic words/phrases (ones you can teach the kids):

• Lá Fhéile Pádraig - St. Patrick's Day
• Éirinn go Brách! - Ireland forever
• "Tabhair póg dom, táim Éireannach!" - "Kiss me, I'm Irish!"
• "Beannachtaí na Féile Pádraig oraibh!" - "St. Patrick's Day blessing upon you!"
• seamróg - shamrock

Traditional St. Paddy's Day Songs

1. Molly Malone - The Dubliners
2. The Unicorn - The Irish Rovers
3. Wearing of the Green - Tony Malone
4. When Irish Eyes are Smiling - Tommy Maken
5. St. Patrick's Day Parade - Bing Crosby
6. My Wild Irish Rose - Aaron Celtic Company
7. Galway Bay - Dolores Keane
8. MacNamara's Band - Dennis Day
9. Dear Old Donegal - Leo McCaffrey
10. It's the Same Old Shillelagh - Bing Crosby

And lastly, music that moves your heart & soul, even if you're not a Celt. And I have plenty of Celtic blood, so I could listen to this playlist all day long. Well, I could listen to the drinking songs all day long, too - but this is a bit more relaxing.

The Celtic Playlist

1. Song for Ireland - Mary Black
2. Ireland's Call - Celtic Thunder
3. Danny Boy - Michael Londra
4. Lord of the Dance - Ronan Hardiman
5. Níl Sé'n Lá - Celtic Woman
6. The Fairy Ring - David Arkenstone
7. The Mummer's Dance - Loreena McKennitt
8. Erin Grá Ma Chroí (Ireland of My Heart) - Cherish The Ladies
9. Irish Blessing - Pat Gaughan & Joe Wadz
10. Too-Ra-Loo-Ra-Loo-Ral - Dennis Day

And for those of you who love karaoke, amazon.com is offering a free St. Patrick's Day sampler download - 10 well-known songs (2 versions of each song). I'm not sure how long this offer is in effect, so if you're interested, download it now!

If you'd like to hear the proper pronunciation of the Gaelic phrases in this post, you can listen to them at Irish-Sayings.com.

Enjoy! Éirinn go Brách! Lá Fhéile Pádraig!

It's a mom thing...

As you know, we have three cats and a dog. They know when it's time for their meals, and if I'm late with the food, they're very vocal about it. The cats will meow and the dog will whine until I finally get up and get their food.

Today was laundry day, and I had five loads of clothes to wash. The third load was in the dryer and I was working at my desk. I was in the middle of some fiendish html code and didn't want to stop, so when the clothes were dry and dryer buzzed, I ignored it. When it buzzed for the fourth time, I said (exasperation apparent in my voice), "Hush now, Mommy will get it in a minute."

Yeah. That's what I say to our pets when they're whining for food. It might have been my imagination, but I swear the cats were laughing at me. I'm just going to pretend it didn't happen.

It's Monday, right?

I had a dream

The other night I had a dream - not unusual for me, because I dream every night. Most of the time, I remember the dream - but in this case I only remember one thing. I was wearing the ugliest, gaudiest ring ever on my right middle finger - but in the dream, I thought it was gorgeous. It was similar to this ring (which can be found here):

I mean absolutely no offense to the store selling this ring, or to anyone who owns something similar. Obviously, there are people who like this sort of jewelry. But anyone who knows me knows that I do not wear rings like this - never have, never will (well, maybe I will when I'm really old, because I plan to be pretty kooky). But my dream occurred in present day. And I never took this ring off. And I loved it soooo much.

WTF? What could this dream possibly signify? Do I have ring envy?? This was definitely one bizarre dream!

Monday's Meal 3/1/10

Today's yummy recipe comes from Kevin & Amanda's Recipes. It's the recipe for Perfect Pulled Pork, but I tweaked it a bit because I was pressed for time. You can find the original recipe at the preceding link - and I'll post my changes below: 

Perfect Pork Roast 

4 lb. pork roast

1/2 TBSP. garlic powder

1/2 TBSP. onion powder

1/2 TBSP. chili powder

1/2 TBSP. salt

1/2 TBSP. ground pepper

1/2 TBSP. paprika

1/4 c. brown sugar

Combine ingredients in bowl; stir until well-mixed. 

Rinse pork roast in cold water - do not pat dry. Place pork in  baking dish (I sprayed mine with Pam first), and rub the seasoning mixture into the pork, coating all sides well.

Place baking dish in 350 degree oven for 2.5 hours, or until done.

 

seasoning mixture

 

pork with seasoning mixture

 

 close-up of the pork prior to cooking

 

ready to eat!

It was really tasty! The roast I bought isn't the kind I usually buy, but it was on sale, so that's what I got, LOL! Next time, I'll do it with my usual boneless roast that has less fat. But the seasoning was delicious!