Happy Friday

Ha.

I Like...Old People Love

The husband and I spent Memorial Day weekend in the wonderful city of Denver, aka a place I hopehopehope to live someday (probably the same amount of hoping as Chicago). My grandparents are celebrating their 60th anniversary this year, so my mom and her siblings decided to throw them a surprise party. The party was lovely, and they were absolutely surprised and flabbergasted when they walked in and saw 40 people, including the grandkids they don't get to see all the time, standing there in one place. Yes, the surprise-yelling part was fun but it was less "SURPRISE" and more "surprisepleasedon'thaveaheartattackhiiiigrandpa," just to be safe.

Highlights included the microphone that was set up for people to share silly memories or stories about G&G...in a room full of old people, some of whom remembered what day it was but all of whom wanted to tell crotchety jokes and such, was, needless to say, hi-larious. Especially when dear old Grandpa didn't really understand the purpose of the mic and decided to give about 12 separate speeches. Really, it was very necessary for him to go from person to person and tell a story about each of us (we cut him off after about 10 people).

But the best part was watching the two of them, after 60 years of sharing each others' lives, and how they still just fit together and know each other better than most of us even think is possible. How they still say "I love you" at least five times a day. How they make each other's sandwiches with just the right number of pickles or squirts of mustard. How Grandma laughs hysterically but runs in front of Grandpa when she realizes his fly is undone. How every single day, they live it together and help each other through, even if the highlight was getting more questions right on Jeopardy than the contestants.

After two years (or at least it will be two years on Tuesday!!), it's hard to imagine knowing each other better, and it's hard to imagine 60. But watching two people who still love each other so much - maybe even more than they did 60 years ago - was inspiring and very, very happy. I hope we're just like them 58 years from now (except, inevitably, shorter).

I Like...So You Think You Can Dance!!!!!!!!

It's true. It's time. For the. best. show. EVER. period.

This show seriously makes me happy. Just like with the Lion King, there is just something about people using the creativity God gives them to do something so beautiful with such passion that is incredibly inspiring to me...yes, this is cheeseball.com if you were wondering which website you mistakenly landed upon. But for realz y'all, I wait ALL year for this show and I'm so excited to see what amazingness the choreographers come up with this time around. I wish I had danced as a kid so I wasn't just jealous of their mad skillz.

So, to usher in the new season, here are a few of my favorite dances from seasons past:


"Bleeding Love," Chelsie & Mark


"No Air," Joshua & Katee


"Hometown Glory," Joshua & Katee


"Hummingbird," Jamie & Hok


"Time," Neil & Lacey


Some Celine Dion song, Lauren & Danny


Park Bench dance, Travis & Heidi

And soooo many more!! Can't wait to blog about this season and hear everyone's opinions :)

I Like...the Lion King

I have never been one to disguise my love for all things involving music and dance, such as inspiring and cheesy musicals. Dear old Scotty takes the obsession to a new level though, given that he was in musical theater in high school and worked as the set foreman in college. Come on people, he knows every word to Wicked and his favorite movie of all time is Newsies, I'm not even kidding. But that's one of the many things I heart about him :) Plus, it means that he will always be as excited as I am - probably more - to go see any musical we can. So naturally when we found out the national tour of the Lion King was coming to OKC, we jumped at it. I saw it twice when it came to Houston in high school, but I remember being so blown away that I HAD to go again.

This time, we had the privilege of sitting probably 10 rows back, on the aisle where the elephants and birds and such come parading down belting out "The Circle of Life," which I won't even lie, nearly brought me to tears. The music is SO beautiful, and a good portion of the cast is actually from Africa, which gives it a whole new sense of authenticity and cultural pride pretty unique to a Broadway shows. I love how they celebrated African music and dance, African women, and wildlife in this incarnation of my favorite Disney movie ever...my goosebumps pretty much didn't go away the whole time, and I'd go back in a second if it wouldn't break the bank. Anyway, here is one of my favorite songs from the show being performed on The View a few years ago...it doesn't quite do it justice, but it's still nice to see the costumes and elaborate makeup and such. Amazing!


"He Lives in You," from the Lion King

I Like...Arabic Rice

I was in charge of the main dish for our small group last week, and I've been wanting to embrace my Egyptianness and start learning how to make some of my favorite recipes that my mom and Teta (grandmother) make. I thought about making Moussaka, my all-time favorite, delicious Teta meal, but given that I am still working on my cooking skills (especially with meat) and that Teta's recipes usually go something like, "Put in some eggplant, the right amount of all spice, some more tomatoes, enough nutmeg, etc.," I was scared to subject my poor friends to an entirely new recipe. Sooo, I decided to make the much easier - but still delicious - Arabic rice, and it turned out wonderful! So dear readers, I decided to post this recipe in case anyone is feeling adventurous in cooking and wants to try something new. I used lean (93/7) ground beef, so it really is pretty healthy, too. The flavors are definitely different, and I love that Egyptian food often uses spices that we typically relegate to cookies and coffee cakes. Delish!

1.5 lbs ground beef
3 tbsp garlic powder (yes, 3 tbsp is correct!)
2 tbsp cinnamon
1 tbsp ground all spice
2 cups of long grain rice
4 cups beef broth (~3 cans)
¼ cup toasted slivered almonds
2 chopped green onions
Rice Wine Vinegar or Lemons

Combine first four ingredients in large skillet. Cook over medium heat til meat is browned, stirring til it crumbles. Stir in rice, beef broth. Bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat, and cook 25 minutes or until rice is tender/liquid is absorbed. Sprinkle with toasted almonds and green onions and serve with lemon wedges. Note: I lovvve tons of lemon on mine, it's a great contrast with the toastiness of the almonds and all of the spices.

Happy eating!

Song Obsession of the Week

So I must confess, I have watched American Idol this season. I know, lame. I watched David Cook's season, but other than that the only one I ever followed was the first one, with the brilliant KC. But this season I decided, meh, I guess I'll watch it...and Kris Allen is amazing! Yes, Adam Lambert can pull off the rockstar thing, and yes, he played Fiyero in the LA cast of Wicked, but pretty much every song Kris sings makes me want to go buy his album. Here are my faves:



"She Works Hard for the Money"

"Falling Slowly." LOVED that he took a risk with one of the best movie songs ever!


"Heartless." Love that he covered Kanye AND The Fray's versions.

So there you have it, I watch American Idol. I do not, however, vote for American Idol. I save that ultimate lameness for So You Think You Can Dance...WHICH PREMIERES NEXT WEEK PEOPLE!

I Like...Awkwardness

Oh man, you have to check out Awkward Family Photos. They're just putting out in the open what we have all experienced at some point in our lives...except these are WAY more awkward. Best procrastination tool ever!