Shannon’s World

I enjoyed a very lazy Saturday - these are become more typical than luxury lately.  But with the rain and gloom outside, it was hard to get moving.  I *will* get my chores done some day!  After hours of Food TV, I caught some shows on PBS I’ve been wanting to see: Real Simple and Everyday Food.  I also saw a show I was not familiar with, but enjoyed: The Katie Brown Project.  I am already looking forward to another lazy Saturday so I can catch another episode or two.

The rain and gloom continued on Sunday.  We had tickets to see the Cubs with Eliza and Pete.  It seems like everytime we have tickets it rains and so the trend continues.  Another trend continued - attending PINK HAT DAY at Wrigley.  I did not get a hat last time and I was quite disappointed (the 4 margarrittas helped me get over it).  Well, as the picture indicates, I FINALLY got a hat!  Note the turtleneck and winter coat - it seemed like spring was here, but weather is supposed to be back in the 60s this week. 

P.S. We had a great lunch at Mullen’s; it might be my new favorite before the game hang out!

Last night Mike made the strawberry pretzel cake I’ve been wanting to try for quite some time. Bob and Heather came over for a fun, relaxing Friday night, so it was the perfect time to make the cake.

The cake was good - a strange combination of a bunch of different flavors. We especially loved the pretzel crust. I think we’re going to try the pretzel crust with a simple chocolate pudding pie - I’m thinking it will taste like a chocolate covered pretzel: YUM!

Here’s the recipe if you’re interested:

Strawberry Pretzel Cake
* 2 cups crushed pretzels
* 3/4 cup margarine, melted
* 3 Tablespoons sugar
* 1 (8 ounces) cream cheese softened
* 1 (9 ounces) Cool Whip
* 1 cup sugar
* 1 (6 ounces) pkg. strawberry jello
* 2 cups boiling water
* 20 ounces unsweetened frozen strawberries

Mix crushed pretzels, margarine, and sugar together. Press into a 9×13 inch pan. Bake at 400 degrees for 8 minutes. Cool. Combine cream cheese, Cool Whip and sugar. Mix well. Spread on cooled crust. Mix jello with water then add frozen berries. Stir until berries soften and jello start to thicken. Gently pour or spread mixture on top of cream cheese layer. Refrigerate.

There’s a chance you will see two familiar faces if you watch Oprah today.  A while back Melissa and I went to see a taping of Oprah.  We actually saw 3 different guests film segments and also an after the show that airs on the Oxygen Network.  The Meg Ryan/Lucy Lui show aired a while ago, but today the Lisa Ling segment is going to air with what it looks like is George Clooney (too bad we didn’t see him - ew la la).  I hope he can provide an explanation for what was going on in Syriana.  Melissa and I are in the forth row right behind Oprah.

Martha is highlighting simple suppers all week on her tv show. Today’s looked very promising. Martha *claims* it will only take 15 minutes (a good friend points out nothing Martha does takes 15 minutes). The recipe marries a few of my favorite things: shrimp and TEQUILLA. I have some shrimp in the freezer at home and will try this soon and report back - it will no doubt go well with my drink of choice: MARGARITTAS!

All in all I’ve been quite pleased with the tv programming in Montreal – there’s a nice mix of programs offered in English and French. I must say Mike enjoyed South Park in French; it was hilarious! I was curious to find out if they watched American Idol here in Canada. The answer is yes. The kicker is, they also have Canadian Idol. It sounds like auditions are still happening (you still have a chance if you live in Toronto). The Canadian’s are smart – I bet their Idol happens shortly after American Idol ends . . .riding the wave all the way to a ratings hit. Interestingly enough the show has 4 judges and 3 personalities – learn more here.

I need your help!  I am searching for the perfect white skirt - one that is not see-through!  Appropriately dressy, yet still casual . . .I don’t think it exists.  I’ve tried on many, many skirts with no luck . . . .all are embarassingly see through (just ask Alison).  I came close to finding *THE* perfect skirt (see picture) until I tried it on and you saw two big white pockets in the front. . .UGH!  I found another option, but have a hard time spending $108 on a skirt I can wear 3 months out of the year.  If you have any recommendations, let me know. 

I got a call from my Mom while here in Montreal.  My brother (who was at my parents with his family) was rushed to the hospital with what we now know is appendicitis.  He had his appendix removed yesterday afternoon and is healing fine.

This led to an “interesting” breakfast discussion between Mike and I this morning.  What is an appendix and what does it do?  Thanks to Web MD, I learned that the no one knows what the appendix does and you can live fine without it.  Appendicitis occurs when the appendix becomes blocked, often by stool, a foreign body, or cancer (UH-OH . . .the big C). Blockage may also occur from infection, since the appendix swells in response to any infection in the body.

You learn something new everyday.  Hope you’re back on the lacrosse field soon, Sean!

I watched Trading Spaces for the first time since they fired Paige Davis.  I must say I miss her; I found the show boring and lacking energy.  The good news is some of the designers seemed to have calmed down a bit (i.e. no hay on the walls); I actually like some of the designs I saw.

It seems like they’ve made lots of changes to the show - each designer gets a carpenter, the rooms aren’t pre-set, and they end the show with a pretty cool post-trading spaces visit to the houses.

If I were a contestant on Trading Spaces, I’d re-do our bedroom . . .it needs a lot of help.  Now. . .I just need to convince a neighbor to apply with me!