My (latest) Favorite Things

Every year around this time Oprah airs a show called "Oprah's Favorite Things." I'm sure you've heard of it. It's every housewife's dream come true to be in the audience on that day since you get a bazillion free and wonderful things. She's even been known to give cars to everyone during this show. Well, I'm not giving out anything free today but I did want to mention a few of my new favorite things.

1) I spent all last weekend reading The Hunger Games and it's sequel Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins. (This will actually be a trilogy so if you think you can't wait for a third book to come out sometime in the future don't start reading it yet!) I couldn't put them down. Just ask Tyson. He actually said to me "Are you almost done yet so you can stop being a bad mom?" He was partially kidding, but not really.

2) Here's a funny blog that I've enjoyed reading. It's called Normal Mormon Husbands and is pretty funny. Unfortunately, he just posted that he will no longer be adding new posts. Still there are lots of articles to read on there in the archives. I always get a good laugh from reading them. If you're having a down day just go on there and read for a bit and it will lighten your mood. I can't get it to link for some reason but here is the web address.
mormonhusbands.blogspot.com

3) This one you will wish that I was giving out free samples of. I bought a cleaner from a door to door salesman. Something I've never done before but haven't regretted. When we bought this house it had been sadly neglected and there were some serious cleaning issues I haven't been able to clear up...such as the years of hard water left on the shower doors and walls. But this cleaner cleaned everything off and made things look like new. It's a bit expensive but should go a long way. One bottle is supposed to last for a year because you dilute it with water in a spray bottle. You can use it on practically any surface. It even cleans oil off the driveway but is totally organic and non-toxic (just in case the kids try to drink it!)


4) I don't watch a lot of T.V. but Tyson introduced me to Fringe (and then decided he didn't want to keep watching it with me. Stinker!) It's a crime show/high tech science/X-Files (only not as cheesy) kind of show. I've enjoyed it a lot.

5) Next we have my latest favorite band, Paramore. I used to have a link to video of it but not anymore.  But trust me, they're awesome!

6) I love to read my Time magazine. I read it cover to cover almost every week (I skip most stuff that starts out with Ben Bernanke's name though because I know I'll get too bored!) Anyway, my favorite columnist is Joel Stein who writes The Awesome Column. I think he's funny.

7) Last but not least I want to share my favorite recipe. Well...it's my favorite today since I just had it for lunch.

CLAM CHOWDER

2 Cans (6 & 1/2 oz size) minced clams
1 cup onions
2 cups diced potatoes
3/4 cup butter or margarine
3/4 cup flour
1 quart Half & Half
1 1/2 tsp. salt
1 cup chopped celery
pepper

Drain juice from clams. Pour over chopped vegetables in a pot, add water til veggies are just covered and simmer until potatoes are cooked. In mean time, melt butter, add flour and stir together, add Half & Half (this part burns easily so have everything measured out beforehand), cook and stir until thick. Add undrained vegetables and clams and thicken again. Season with salt and pepper to taste. I also add a can of corn at the end. If you don't like clams just leave them out and it still makes a good potato soup or corn chowder.