Thursday, March 31, 2011

Thoughts on Thursday, Vol. 13

Hey guys,

I'm sorry this is another late post, I was up late grading papers and watching Grey's Anatomy. I want to make sure that I give you some thoughts for today, however, so here they are--enjoy!

On Spring, which we hope will actually decide to come and stay a while:

"Spring makes its own statement, so loud and clear that the gardener seems to be only one of the instruments, not the composer." ~Geoffrey B. Charlesworth (I love that name, by the way.)

"It was one of those March days when the sun shines hot and the wind blows cold: when it is summer in the light, and winter in the shade." ~Charles Dickens (Also known as the definition of Spring in North Carolina.)

"It's spring fever. That is what the name of it is. And when you've got it, you want - oh, you don't quite know what it is you do want, but it just fairly makes your heart ache, you want it so!" ~Mark Twain

"I love spring anywhere, but if I could choose I would always greet it in a garden." ~Ruth Stout

On music:

"A painter paints pictures on canvas. But musicians pain their pictures on silence." ~Leopold Stokowski

"Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life." ~Berthold Auerbach

"All deep things are song. It seems somehow the very central essence of us, song; as if all the rest were but wrappages and hulls!" ~Thomas Carlyle

"Take a music bath once or twice a week for a few seasons. You will find it is to the soul what a water bath is to the body." ~Oliver Wendell Holmes

(I will be revisiting the topic of music--there are so many awesome quotes to be found.)

Lastly, on April Fools Day!

"April 1. This is the day upon which we are reminded of what we are on the other three hundred and sixty-four." ~Mark Twain, Pudd'nhead Wilson, 1894

"Forgive, O Lord, my little jokes on Thee,
And I'll forgive Thy great big one on me."
~Robert Frost, "Cluster of Faith," 1962

"If every fool wore a crown, we should all be kings." ~Welsh Proverb

"We're fools whether we dance or not, so we might as well dance." ~Japanese Proverb

"The trouble with practical jokes is that very often they get elected." ~Will Rogers


There you go! Hope you enjoyed the thoughts--as always, let me know if there are any topics you'd love to read some thoughts on and I'll be happy to do some looking.

Off to bed for me--happy Friday eve!

♥ Marlee

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Writer's Corner Wednesday, Vol. 13

Hello again!

This Wednesday I'm afraid I'm borrowing from the words of others again, but I'm bringing you a short essay that I found intriguing the first time read it many years ago in senior year of high school. It's from my Norton Reader that may or may not have traveled home with me...but anyway--here it is. Enjoy!

Get a Knife, Get a Dog, But Get Rid of Guns
By Molly Ivins

Guns. Everywhere guns.

Let me start this discussion by pointing out that I am not antigun. I'm proknife. Consider the merits of the knife.

In the first place, you have to catch up with someone in order to stab him. A general substitution of knives for guns would promote physical fitness. We'd turn into a nation of great runners. Plus, knives don't ricochet. And people are seldom killed while cleaning their knives.

As a civil libertarian, I, of course, support the Second Amendment. And I believe it means exactly what it says:

A well-regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed. Fourteen-year-old boys are not part of a well-regulated militia. Members of wacky religious cults are not part of a well-regulated militia. Permitting unregulated citizens to have guns is destroying the security of this free state.

I am intrigued by the argument of those who claim to follow the judicial doctrine of original intent. How do they know it was the dearest wish of Thomas Jefferson's heart that teenage drug dealers should cruise the cities of this nation perforating their fellow citizens with assault rifles? Channeling?

There is more hooey spread about the Second Amendment. It says quite clearly that guns are for those who form part of a well-regulated militia, that is, the armed forces, including the National Guard. The reasons for keeping them away from everyone else get clearer by the day.

The comparison most often used is that of the automobile, another lethal object that is regularly used to wreak great carnage. Obviously, this society is full of people who haven't enough common sense to use an automobile properly. But we haven't outlawed cars yet.

We do, however, license them and their owners, restrict their use to presumably sane and sober adults, and keep track of who sells them to whom. At a minimum, we should do the same with guns.

In truth, there is no rational argument for guns in this society. This is no longer a frontier nation in which people hunt their own food. It is a crowded, overwhelmingly urban country in which letting people have access to guns is a continuing disaster. Those who want guns--whether for target shooting, hunting, or potting rattlesnakes (get a hoe)--should be subject to the same restrictions placed on gun owners in England, a nation in which liberty has survived nicely without an armed populace.

The argument that "guns don't kill people" is patent nonsense. Anyone who has ever worked in a cop shop knows how many family arguments end in murder because there was a gun in the house. Did the gun kill someone? No. But if there had been no gun, no one would have died. At least not without a good foot race first. Guns do kill. Unlike cars, that is all they do.

Michael Crichton makes an interesting argument about technology in his thriller Jurassic Park. He points out that power without discipline is making this society into a wreckage. By the time someone who studies the martial arts becomes a master--literally able to kill with bare hands--that person has also undergone years of training and discipline. But any fool can pick up a gun and kill with it.

"A well-regulated militia" surely implies both long training and long discipline. That is the least, the very least, that should be required of those who are permitted to have gun, because a gun is literally the power to kill. For years I used to enjoy taunting my gun-nut friends about their psychosexual hang-ups--always in a spirit of good cheer, you understand. But letting the noisy minority in the NRA force us to allow this carnage to continue is just plain insane.

I do think gun nuts have a power hang-up. I don't know what is missing in their psyches that they need to feel they have the power to kill. But no sane society would allow this to continue.

Ban the damn things. Ban them all.

You want protection? Get a dog.


So, what do you think? Note, please, that I'm in no way endorsing Ms. Ivins perspective, nor am I arguing against it. I'm simply sharing what I found to be a well-written essay. Hope you enjoyed it! Sound off in the comments below.

I'll see you kiddos back here tomorrow for Thoughts on Thursday! Have a great night.

♥ Marlee

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Tasty Tuesday, Vol. 13

Howdy!

Today I was thinking about how our food tastes tend to change as we move from colder seasons into warmer ones. I thought I'd do a little research on some easy crock pot dishes that are a little more spring/summery than all of the stews and chilis and roasts we make during the colder part of the year.

Here are some of my findings. Click the recipe title for more info!

Sweet and Sour Crockpot Ribs

These super easy ribs cook in the crockpot so all you have to do is fill it and let the machine do the rest of the work. It's really wonderful to come home to the aroma of ribs cooking in a fabulous sauce!

BBQ Beef Crockpot Sandwiches

This three ingredient recipe tastes like so much more than the sum of its parts. If you'd like, you could add some creamy salad dressing to the uncooked coleslaw mix before you make sandwiches with the tender beef mixture and the crusty rolls.

Crockpot Artichoke Spinach Dip

This classic dip is made easier in the crockpot. It's rich and cheesy and altogether delicious, perfect for special spring meals.

Sweet and Spicy Kielbasa

Sweet and Spicy KielbasaLinda Larsen

Griling usd to be my favorite way to cook kielbasa until this recipe. I love the sweet and salty flavor of the sausage with the mustard and brown sugar. You can serve it in grilled buns instead of hot dogs for a fabulous casual recipe.

Pesto Chicken Crockpot Pitas

Chicken Pesto PitasLinda Larsen

A rich chicken filling of chicken, onions, red bell peppers, and garlic is made in the crockpot, then combined with a mayonnaise and pesto mixture and stuffed into whole wheat pita breads with baby spinach. Yum!








Don't they sound yummy? What are some of your favorites to cook during warmer months? I, for one, would love to cook up some spinach and artichoke dip...because any form of spinach and/or artichoke dip is always amazing. Am I right, or am I right? :)

Give me some of your favorites, too! (Not just crock pot favorites, but spring and summer recipe favorites!)

I'll see you folks tomorrow for our next Writer's Corner Wednesday. Have a great night!

♥ Marlee

Monday, March 28, 2011

Monday Music Moment, Vol. 13

Hey folks,

I apologize for the late, and short, post. I started to feel a little under the weather yesterday, and today I'm taking meds, but still feeling not quite at 100%. It's my hope that you'll be understanding, but I do bring you your music moment, as promised.

Now, those of you who mock my appreciation (read: obsession) for Glee--yes, Shannon, I'm looking at you--may not appreciate today's moment. This actually comes from the last new episode of the show, which aired a couple of weeks ago. It was entitled "Original Song," and featured--you guessed it--original songs from our favorite glee club at McKinley High.

I particularly love this song, "Loser Like Me," because of the anthem that it is. It's for the underdog. It's for that kid who's going to be the next Bill Gates. It's for all of the kids who get picked on, as their way of saying, "Just you wait and see..." I love it. I hope you'll appreciate it, too.


I will see you guys back here tomorrow for our next Tasty Tuesday. Have a great night--stay warm!

♥, Marlee

Friday, March 25, 2011

Friday Funnies, Vol. 12

Happy Friday, friends!!!

Today, I thought I would resurrect my venture in funny signs and bring you a new batch! That post was really popular, so I've decided to share some more with you today. Check these out and comment on your favorites!

Note: As I started my search, I came across a site that had a collection of pictures of signs that had other people's ...um...edits on them. Enjoy these!
UPDATE: Apparently that website didn't like me to borrow their images. Sorry that you missed them, they were pretty awesome. Enjoy the signs below, anyway! :)


I can only imagine the looks on people's faces when they come to this sign.



This should be hanging in every restaurant/public place. Seriously.



Awesome.



Sure, why not?


Hope you enjoyed this! I had lots of fun finding them for you!

Have a great weekend, friends! See you on Monday!

♥ Marlee

Thursday, March 24, 2011

Thoughts on Thursday, Vol. 12

Well, as you're reading this, my dad and I are making our way toward Washington, DC for my Uncle Kelly's big retirement party tomorrow. I'm super excited--mostly to get to see my family, but also to get to be in DC again! I really want to work it out sometime in the future to actually take a vacation there so I can explore DC the right way. Just a dream for now, though...

Anyway, today is our day for some great and profound thoughts, so let's get rolling.

In the spirit of this weekend, I'd like to post some quotes on various patriotic themes today. Let's start with freedom.

"Freedom has its life in the hearts, the actions, the spirit of men and so it must be daily earned and refreshed - else like a flower cut from its life-giving roots, it will wither and die." ~Dwight D. Eisenhower

"Nothing is more difficult, and therefore more precious, than to be able to decide." ~Napoleon Bonaparte

"Here is my advice as we begin the century that will lead to 2081. First, guard the freedom of ideas at all costs. Be alert that dictators have always played on the natural human tendency to blame others and to oversimplify. And don't regard yourself as a guardian of freedom unless you respect and preserve the rights of people you disagree with to free, public, unhampered expression." ~Gerard K. O'Neill, 2081

"There are two freedoms - the false, where a man is free to do what he likes; the true, where he is free to do what he ought." ~Charles Kingsley

"Liberty is always dangerous, but it is the safest thing we have." ~Harry Emerson Fosdick

These are some thoughts from a topic heading "Memorial Day," but I love these because in my mind they're really just quotes about honoring those who have fought and died for our freedom.

"They fell, but o'er their glorious grave
Floats free the banner of the cause they died to save."
~Francis Marion Crawford

"The brave die never, though they sleep in dust:
Their courage nerves a thousand living men."
~Minot J. Savage

"Better than honor and glory, and History's iron pen,
Was the thought of duty done and the love of his fellow-men."
~Richard Watson Gilder

(I know these are tending to be poetry, but I'm finding those to be the most profound.)

"A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself." ~Joseph Campbell

"Life hangs as nothing in the scale against dear Liberty!" ~Lucy Larcom

And in closing, some thoughts on gratitude.

"God gave you a gift of 86,400 seconds today. Have you used one to say 'thank you'? ~William A. Ward

"The only people with whom you should try to get even are those who have helped you." ~John E. Southard

"If you have lived, take thankfully the past." ~John Dryden

"You say grace before meals. All right. But I say grace before the concert and the opera, and grace before the play and pantomime, and grace before I open a book, and grace before sketching, painting, swimming, fencing, boxing, walking, playing, dancing and grace before I dip the pen in the ink." ~G.K. Chesteron

"If a fellow isn't thankful for what he's got, he isn't likely to be thankful what he's going to get." ~Frank A. Clark

There you have it, folks! Take time to say a prayer for all those folks serving our great country at home and abroad, and be appreciative of what their sacrifice means for us!

See you tomorrow for Friday Funnies!

♥ Marlee

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Writer's Corner Wednesday, Vol. 12

Hey there! You've made it to the halfway point! :)

For today's Writer's Corner Wednesday, I thought I'd write a little bit for my uncle, Kelly. He's retiring from the Air Force after many, many years of service, and I've always been really proud of his super important job that I don't know that much about. (But so it goes in the dealings of military intelligence, eh?)

So anyway, this is for you, Uncle Kelly.

Patriot.
Composed, resolved.
Trusted, strong, leader.

Elmer Davis said, "This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave."

You are the brave.
You are the protectors; you are the far-too-often unsung heroes.

You've sacrificed and given your life over--not for yourself,
but for the freedom and safety of others.

How many others do that just in their day to day life?

You've set foot on foreign soil with the goal of protecting the freedom of our great country.

And after so many years of service,
you deserve to retire with honors and gratitude.

You have witnessed tragedy and war firsthand.
And still you fought.

And for that, as Shakespeare says:
"I can no other answer make, but, thanks, and thanks."

I love you Uncle Kelly! I'm so proud of you and I can't wait to see you in just 2 short days!

Just as an update to yesterday's post:
The crock pot recipe I made up was an absolute success! I came home today to pork chops that were literally falling apart in this delicious gravy of potato soup and garlic pepper and mushrooms...I wound up just breaking apart the chops and spooning the delicious concoction over brown rice. Deeeelicious!

I'm keeping this brief, and I also want to let you know that I've already written and scheduled my posts for Thursday and Friday. I'll be traveling Thursday and busy in DC on Friday, so I wanted to let you know now that both posts will be up at 4:00 on their respective days. Come back and check it out! :)

Have a great evening!

♥ Marlee

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Tasty Tuesday, Vol. 12

Hello and Happy Tuesday!

It was absolutely beautiful outside today where I live--I hope if it was equally beautiful where you are that you had the chance to go out and enjoy the great weather!

Today's Tasty Tuesday is a combo. The first part is a brief review of the Banana Muffin recipe I told you about last week. I made said muffins last weekend, and I found the recipe to be extremely easy--even with mashing up the bananas. The topping took a while to really mix well, even though my butter was room temperature when I put it in, but I was able, with some patience, to make the topping. Despite that minor bump in the road, the muffins were, in a word:

AWESOME.

Absolutely delicious! The topping adds a great crunch to the tops of the muffins, and the muffins themselves aren't very heavy at all...definitely a hit, and I'll definitely repeat that recipe in the future. Good stuff. Let me know if you give them a try and if you love them as much as I did!

After looking at a few recipes online, I've decided to give this combo a try tomorrow in the crock pot. I'm thawing the meat tonight, and I'll set it up in the morning before I leave...I think it's gonna be pretty amazing.

4 boneless pork chops
1 can cream of potato soup
1 (4 oz) can of mushrooms, drained

That's it--I may add a little water and some garlic pepper or some seasoning like that, but I'm looking forward to giving it a shot! I'll let you all know how it turns out.

What are some of your favorite crock pot recipes? Share in the comments below!

I'm keeping this one short and sweet, but I'll see you folks back here tomorrow.

Have a great night!

♥ Marlee

Monday, March 21, 2011

Monday Music Moment, Vol. 12

Howdy, folks!

Hope everyone had a pretty good Monday--mine actually wasn't too bad! I got my hair did this weekend, so now it's cute and curly, and I've been getting lots of compliments about it. It's always nice to be complimented!

Sorry this post is going up so late, I've been having some technical difficulties with my wireless router. I'm back, though.

Today, I don't have much to say. It's not in a bad way, it's just that after getting some suggestions from friends, I found a clip of the fantastic Billy Joel performing one of my favorites of his. The song is called "And So It Goes." Enjoy the clip; lyrics are posted below.


In every heart there is a room
A sanctuary safe and strong
To heal the wounds from lovers past
Until a new one comes along

I spoke to you in cautious tones
You answered me with no pretense
And still I feel I said too much
My silence is my self defense

And every time I've held a rose
It seems I only felt the thorns
And so it goes, and so it goes
And so will you soon I suppose

But if my silence made you leave
Then that would be my worst mistake
So I will share this room with you
And you can have this heart to break

And this is why my eyes are closed
It's just as well for all I've seen
And so it goes, and so it goes
And you're the only one who knows

So I would choose to be with you
That's if the choice were mine to make
But you can make decisions too
And you can have this heart to break

And so it goes, and so it goes
And you're the only one who knows.

Alright, kids, I've gotta get some sleep. I'll see you tomorrow for our next installment of Tasty Tuesday! Have a good one.

♥ Marlee

Friday, March 18, 2011

Friday Funnies, Vol. 11

Hey there and Happy FREAKIN Friday to you all!

This week was a long one...I'm super happy to see the weekend here! How about you guys?

Alright, I've been giving this day some thought, and I've settled on featuring another great website with funny pictures: Totally Looks Like. This website features pictures comparing two people, animals, or objects to each other. It's really funny stuff, and I hope you'll enjoy these goodies. Let me know of any other dopplegangers that you can think of, too!

Here we go!

Justin Bieber Totally Looks Like Hilary Swank (From 'Boys Don't Cry')
Just Bieber totally looks like Hillary Swank in Boys Don't Cry.

American Idol Hopeful Casey Abrams Totally Looks Like Yukon Cornelius
American Idol contestant Casey Abrams totally looks like Yukon Cornelius.
(If you don't know the movie, I'm not sure we can be friends.)


Dr. Seuss' The Lorax Totally Looks Like Wilford Brimley
Dr. Seuss's The Lorax totally looks like Wilford Brimley.


Bill Nye Totally Looks Like Abraham Lincoln
Bill Nye (the Science Guy) totally looks like Abraham Lincoln.
(Is anyone else surprised to see Bill Nye consulted about the nuclear threat in Japan?)


Young Johnny Cash Totally Looks Like Joseph Gordon-Levitt
Young Johnny Cash totally looks like Joseph Gordon-Levitt.


Mark Zuckerberg Totally Looks Like Emperor Constantine
Facebook creator Mark Zuckerberg totally looks like Emperor Constantine.

One more!

Stephen Colbert Totally Looks Like Bob Saget
Stephen Colbert totally looks like Bob Saget.

Wasn't that fun? Feel free to peruse the site and find other amusing comparisons! I'm keeping this one short because I have things to do to prepare for a packed weekend--have a great one, guys. Get out and enjoy the sunshine!

Until Monday,

♥ Marlee

Sorry...one more:

Charlie Sheen Totally Looks Like A Train Wreck
No explanation necessary.

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Thoughts on Thursday, Vol. 11

Hey there and Happy St. Patrick's Day!

In the spirit of the holiday, I thought I'd start off with some thoughts on St. Patrick's Day. Let's get started!

"St. Patrick's Day is an enchanted time - a day to begin transforming winter's dreams into summer's magic." ~Adrienne Cook

"If a man who cannot count finds a four-leaf clover, is he lucky?" ~Stanislaw J. Lec

"May the Irish hills caress you.
May her lakes and rivers bless you.
May the luck of the Irish enfold you.
May the blessings of St. Patrick behold you."
~Irish Blessing

"He was a terror to any snake that came in his path, whether it was the cold, slimy reptile sliding along the ground or the more dangerous snake that oppresses men through false teachings. And he drove the snakes out of the minds of men, snakes of superstition and brutality and cruelty." ~Arthur Brisbane

"If you're lucky enough to be Irish, you're lucky enough!" ~Irish Saying

Staying in the theme of the holiday, here are some thoughts on luck:

"Depend on the rabbit's foot if you will, but remember it didn't work out for the rabbit." ~R.E. Shay

"Name the greatest of all inventors. Accident." ~Mark Twain

"Luck never gives; it only lends." ~Swedish Proverb

"I believe in luck: how else can you explain the success of those you dislike?" ~Jean Cocteau

"It's hard to detect good luck - it looks so much like something you've earned." ~Frank A. Clark

And lastly, just because I want to and it's my blog--so I can--some quotes from the wonderful world of Harry Potter, by J.K. Rowling.

"It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live, remember that." ~Albus Dumbledore, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

"Never trust anything that can think for itself if you can't see where it keeps its brain." ~Arthur Weasley, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

"Nothing like a nighttime stroll to give you ideas." ~Mad Eye Moody, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

"If you want to know what a man's like, take a good look at how he treats his inferiors, not his equals." ~Sirius Black, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

"Of course it is happening inside your head, Harry, but why on earth should that mean that it is not real?" ~Albus Dumbledore, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Aaaaand there you have it! I hope everyone has a fun (and safe) St. Patrick's Day! I'll see you folks here tomorrow for some Friday Funnies.

Until then,

♥ Marlee

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Writer's Corner Wednesday, Vol. 11

Hey guys.

Sorry I've been kind of slack lately...today was a long day, but a good day. I enjoy getting to interact with folks I've not gotten to talk to much at work. Also, my principal is awesome and gave me a guitar strap today! Super cool.

I'm afraid I don't have it in me to bring you something I've penned today, but I promise that next week I'll bring you something I've written. :)

Okay, so I thought I'd find some really neat shape poems to share with you. I think shape poems are really interesting because the poet has the choice to simply describe the shape they're creating, or to write about the actions that that shape is doing or can do, or so many other things...it's just another example of the wide range of opportunities available to anyone who chooses to write some poetry!

Here we go!

I can't decide if I like the cat or the hand more. Both of those are super cool. The ampersand one is pretty nifty, too, though.

Anyway, try your own hand at a shape poem sometime--they're fun to plan and execute. Let me know if you write one and would like to share it.

I'll see you folks tomorrow--and I'll have a full-length post for you then!

Goodnight!

♥ Marlee

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Tasty Tuesday, Vol. 11

Hello and Happy to Tuesday to all!

I got home a little late this evening from a PTO meeting, but even though it ran a little long, I really enjoyed myself for the most part. It strikes me in various moments throughout the day that I work with some really awesome people, and it makes me even more happy to be where I am. If things go as I hope they will, I'm looking forward to continuing to grow professionally along side a lot of really great teachers.

So, here we are at another Tasty Tuesday, and I have to say that I'm struggling a little each week, especially with coming up with a post for this day. I'd love suggestions from you about things you'd like to see featured on these days. I will however, share a great banana muffin recipe that I came across online. I'm planning on using the last of a bunch of bananas that I have to make them. Check it out:

Banana Crumb Muffins

Ingredients:
Muffins
1 1/2 c. flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
3 bananas, mashed
3/4 c. white sugar
1 egg, lightly beaten
1/3 c. butter, melted
Topping
1/3 c. brown sugar
2 tbsp flour
1/8 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tbsp butter

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 375. Lightly grease 10 muffin cups, or line with muffin papers.
2. In a large bowl, mix together flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. In another bowl, beat together bananas, sugar, egg, and melted butter. Stir the banana mixture into the flour mixture just until moistened. Spoon batter into prepared muffin cups.
3. In a small bowl, mix together brown sugar, flour, and cinnamon. Cut in 1 tbsp of butter until mixture resembles coarse cornmeal. Sprinkle topping over muffins.
4. Bake in preheated oven for 18-20 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into center of muffin comes out clean.

I mean, don't those sound incredible? I know! I'll have to let you know how they come out when I finally make them, but if any of you give them a try, definitely let me know!

I'm probably gonna cut this one a little short. Forgive me, these 12+ hour days are enough to wear a body out. I'll see you kids back here tomorrow for our next Writer's Corner Wednesday.

Have a great night!

♥ Marlee

Monday, March 14, 2011

Monday Music Moment, Vol. 11

Can you believe I've been doing this for almost 3 months now? I'm really proud of myself for keeping it up, and I hope it's been enjoyable for you to read.

I've been thinking and thinking about what to bring you for this week's Music Moment. I mean, last week I brought you a super cute British boy...what tops that, really?

I don't know that this tops it, but I do think it's equally impressive.

YouTube occasionally will suggest videos to me based on what I've been watching, and I guess my latest musical artists I've been listening to led them to think I'd enjoy this kid, and I have to say that I did. His name is Sam Tsui, and while a lot of his stuff tends to get a little boy band-y (in the cheesy sense of the term), I found this video and was impressed with his take on this song.

I'm a Bruno Mars fan, and one of his first big hits (solo hits, I mean) was a song by the name of "Just the Way You Are." Well, Sam decided, in a move to say thank you to his fans--of which there are many by the looks of his hits on YouTube--to cover this song and to not only pay homage to Bruno, but also to the great Billy Joel--the original Piano Man himself. I hadn't ever thought of this combo, but he pulls it off pretty nicely.

I'll let you judge for yourself, though. Beware, he likes to give love-y eyes to the camera. Consider yourself forewarned. :) Lyrics are posted below, as per usual. Enjoy!


Don't go changing to try and please me
You never let me down before, yeah

I took the good times,
I'll take the bad times.
I'll take you just the way you are.

Your eyes, your eyes
Make the stars feel like they're not shining.
Your hair, your hair
Falls perfectly without you trying

I think you're beautiful
And I tell you every day

I know, I know
When I compliment you, you won't believe me
And it's so, it's so
Sad to think that you can't see what I see

But every time you ask me, "Do I look okay?"
You know I'll say...

When I see your face
There's not a thing that I would change
'Cause you're amazing
Just the way you are

And when you smile,
The whole world stops and stares for a while
'Cause you're amazing
Just the way you are

Your lips, your lips
I could kiss them all day if you'd let me
Your smile, your smile
You hate, but I think it's so sexy

I think you're beautiful,
And I tell you every day

You know, you know,
I'd never, never ask you to change
If perfect's what you're lookin' for
Then just stay the same

Don't even bother asking if you look okay,
You know I'll say...

When I see your face,
There's not a thing that I would change
'Cause you're amazing
Just the way you are

And when you smile
The whole world stops and stares for a while
'Cause you're amazing
Just the way you are

The way you are...
The way you are...

I'll take you just the way you are.

What did you think? Did you enjoy the combo?

Well, I'd wrap it up here, but--what's this?

A MONDAY MUSIC MOMENT BONUS TRACK?!?!

Well okay then!

I won't say too much about this video other than that it's pretty impressive what this one guy did. Stick around all the way to the end, he'll break down the layers that he built up. Enjoy and I'll see you kids tomorrow!


♥ Marlee

Saturday, March 12, 2011

Friday Funnies, Vol. 10 (For serious this time.)

Hey folks!

Sorry about the delay...I had a conference after school yesterday and then pretty much left straight from work to head to Fuquay. Went out with one of my bffs (yes, Shannon, I just did that--not gonna say I'm proud of it, lol), Ginny, to a work thing and wound up going to the home of a few of her co-workers. Much fun was had by all, although when we finally got back to Fuquay around 2 in the morning, I was ready to pass out. So, being the responsible person I am--and caring about my readers so much--I at least posted a semi-paragraph before passing the heck out at Ginny's.

So now that I've been back at home for a while, I suppose I owe you wonderful people a post-Friday Funnies blog, eh? What to do, what to do?

How about a great video of a guy who is an awesome impressionist?

This is Frank Caliendo, and while his attempt at a TV show failed pretty miserably, he is actually a really funny guy. He's most well-known for his impressions of John Madden and George Bush, but in this video, he throws out a few extras that I thought you all might enjoy. Check it out:


What did you think? Funny? :)

Just in case that didn't float your boat, here are some pictures from another great website, Historic LOL, where they take old photos and give them funny captions. Check these goodies out:

funny pictures history - You wish your grandparents were this cool
see more Historic LOL


This one had me dying laughing:
funny pictures history - Put back the Kraken!  Put back the Kracken!
see more Historic LOL


Here's another great one:
funny pictures history - Unknown First Issue of GQ
see more Historic LOL


And I'll wrap it up with this one:
funny pictures history - One day in the (until then) Plague-free Middle Ages
see more Historic LOL

So, hopefully the fact that I featured not just one, but TWO funny things can make up for the lateness of this post. I've got some pork chops to go cook for dinner and I need to finish up my lesson plans, so you kids have a great Saturday and I'll see you again on Monday!

♥ Marlee

Friday Funnies, Vol. 10

Hey guys,

Forgive the lack of posting. I went out for a night of fun with friends and wound up staying out much later than anticipated. I will, however, promise an awesomely funny post tomorrow (today, actually, I guess).

Stay tuned.

I'll see you kids after I've gotten some sleep.

Hugs, kisses, and other pleasant things.

♥ Marlee

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Thoughts on Thursday, Vol. 10

Happy almost Friday, everyone!

I hope everyone has had a good week so far. My day today was pretty great. I had a post-conference about a peer observation and it went really well. :) It's always nice to have your efforts recognized by others. I also met with my team to do our weekly team planning session, and we always have such a good time with each other. I'm so blessed, guys. It's crazy.

So, anyway, on to our thoughts for this Thursday. First up, some thoughts on learning.

"Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty." ~Henry Ford

"If the past cannot teach the present and the father cannot teach the son, then history need not have bothered go on, and the world has wasted a great deal of time." ~Russell Hoban

"You have learned something. That always feels at first as if you had lost something." ~H.G. Wells

"Every act of conscious learning requires the willingness to suffer an injury to one's self-esteem. That is why young children, before they are aware of their own self-importance, learn so easily." ~Thomas Szasz

"We learn more by looking for the answer to a question and not finding it than we do from learning the answer itself." ~Lloyd Alexander

And now, with the weather we've been having, some thoughts on rain.

"Don't threaten me with love, baby. Let's just go walking in the rain." ~Billie Holiday

"The first drops of rain always bring a smile on our faces. The smell of wet soil, the damp grass, and the slosh of puddles under our feet make us want to dance with wanton joy. Rain makes a heart go romantic. Ever danced in the rain? The feeling is inexplicably beautiful. Hold your sweetheart's hand and walk in the rain while the clouds play cupid." ~G.K. Chesterton

"Let the rain kiss you. Let the rain beat upon your head with silver liquid drops. Let the rain sing you a lullaby." ~Langston Hughes, April Rain Song

"A rainy day is the perfect time for a walk in the woods." ~Rachel Carson

"Rain! whose soft architectural hands have power to cut stones, and chisel to shapes of grandeur the very mountains." ~Henry Ward Beecher

And to round out our thoughts today, we'll end with some thoughts on success.

"Success consists of going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm." ~Winston Churchill

"There is no point at which you can say, 'Well, I'm successful now. I might as well take a nap.'"~Carrie Fisher

"Try to discover
The road to success
And you'll seek but never find,
But blaze your own path
And the road to success
Will trail right behind."
~Robert Brault

"Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has overcome." ~Booker T. Washington

"How can they say my life is not a success? Have I not for more than sixty years got enough to eat and escaped being eaten? ~Logan Smith

So there you have it, my friends. I hope you found some tidbit that spoke to you today. If you ever think of a great topic to feature on a Thursday post, please feel free to let me know and post about it in the comments section. :)

I'll talk to you kids tomorrow--on FRIDAY! Yay!

♥ Marlee

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Writer's Corner Wednesday, Vol. 10

Hey there, folks!

Today has been a long day, and I've been itching to share a great article written by the wonderful Bill Bryson, author of phenomenal books like A Walk in the Woods and A Short History of Nearly Everything. I picked up Mr. Bryson's work kind of on a whim at the book store and quickly became a fan.

The piece I'm bringing you today is from his book entitled I'm a Stranger Here Myself: Notes on Returning to America After Twenty Years Away. It's a collection of articles he wrote, and this one tickled me so much when I reread it a few days ago that I decided I should definitely share it. Please note that all of the article is in no way my own work and solely the property of Bill Bryson. Enjoy!

"Well, Doctor, I was just trying to lie down..."
By Bill Bryson

Here's a fact for you: According to the latest Statistical Abstract of the United States, every year more than 400,000 Americans suffer injuries involving beds, mattresses, or pillows. Think about that for a minute. That is almost 2,000 bed, mattress, or pillow injuries a day. In the time it takes you to read this article, four of my fellow citizens will somehow manage to be wounded by their bedding.

My point in raising this is not to suggest that we are somehow more inept than the rest of the world when it comes to lying down for the night (though clearly there are thousands of us who could do with additional practice), but rather to observe that there is scarcely a statistic to do with this vast and scattered nation that doesn't in some way give one pause.

I had this brought home to me the other day when I was in the local library looking up something else altogether in the aforesaid Abstract and happened across "Table No. 206: Injuries Associated with Consumer Products." I have seldom passed a more diverting half hour.

Consider this intriguing fact: Almost 50,000 people in the United States are injured each year by pencils, pens, and other desk accessories. How do they do it? I have spent many long hours seated at desks where I would have greeted almost any kind of injury as a welcome diversion, but never once have I come close to achieving actual bodily harm.

So I ask again: How do they do it? These are, bear in mind, injuries severe enough to arrant a trip to an emergency room. Putting a staple in the tip of your index finger (which I have done quite a lot, sometimes only semi-accidentally) doesn't count. I am looking around my desk now and unless I put my head in the laser printer or stab myself with the scissors I cannot see a single source of potential harm within ten feet.

But then that's the thing about household injuries if Table No. 206 is any guide--they can come at you from almost anywhere. Consider this one. In 1992 (the latest year for which figures are available) more than 400,000 people in the United States were injured by chairs, sofas, and sofa beds. What are we to make of this? Does it tell us something trenchant about the design of modern furniture or merely that we have become exceptionally careless sitters? What is certain is that the problem is worsening. The number of chair, sofa, and sofa bed injuries showed an increase of 30,000 over the previous year, which is quite a worrying trend even for those of us who are frankly fearless with regard to soft furnishings. (That may, of course, be the nub of the problem--overconfidence.)

Predictably, "stairs, ramps, and landings" was the most lively category, with almost two million startled victims, but in other respects dangerous objects were far more benign than their reputations might lead you to predict. More people were injured by sound-recording equipment (46,022) than by skateboards (44,068), trampolines (43,655), or even razors and razor blades (43,365). A mere 16,670 overexuberant choppers ended up injured by hatchets and axes, and even saws and chainsaws claimed a relatively modest 38,692 victims.

Paper money and coins (30,274) claimed nearly as many victims as did scissors (34,062). I can just about conceive of how you might swallow a dime and then wish you hadn't ("You guys want to see a neat trick?"), but I cannot for the life of me construct hypothetical circumstances involving folding money and a subsequent trip to the E.R. It would be interesting to meet some of these people.

I would also welcome a meeting with almost any of the 263,000 people injured by ceilings, walls, and inside panels. I can't imagine being hurt by a ceiling and not having a story worth hearing. Likewise, I could find time for any of the 31,000 people injured by their "grooming devices."

But the people I would really like to meet are the 142,000 hapless souls who received emergency room treatment for injuries inflicted by their clothing. What can they be suffering from? Compound pajama fracture? Sweatpants hematoma? I am powerless to speculate.

I have a friend who is an orthopedic surgeon, and he told me the other day that one of the incidental occupational hazards of his job is that you get a skewed sense of everyday risks since you are constantly repairing people who have come a cropper in unlikely and unpredictable ways. (Only that day he had treated a man who had had a moose come through the windshield of his car, to the consternation of both.) Suddenly, thanks to Table No. 206, I began to see what he meant.

Interestingly, what had brought me to the Statistical Abstract in the first place was the wish to look up crime figures for the state of New Hampshire, where I now live. I had heard that it is one of the safest places in America, and indeed the Abstract bore this out. There were just four murders in the state in the latest reporting year--compared with over 23,000 for the country as a whole--and very little serious crime.

All that this means, of course, is that statistically in New Hampshire I am far more likely to be hurt by my ceiling or underpants--to cite just two potentially lethal examples--than by a stranger, and, frankly, I don't find that comforting at all.

Hope you enjoyed reading that as much as I enjoyed sharing it with you. Look up more of Bryson's work to further enjoy his humorous (but educational) style.

Have a great night and I'll see you back here tomorrow!

♥ Marlee

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Tasty Tuesday, Vol. 10

Happy Shrove Tuesday, everybody!

For those of you who aren't familiar with the season of Lent, Shrove Tuesday is our last chance to go overboard before choosing our Lenten fast. Lent is the 40-day period that leads up to Easter, during which we fast (usually from something specific) while we reflect on Christ's period of 40 days and 40 nights during which he was tempted. It's something I've grown accustomed to being a part of for as long as I can remember.

Last year, I chose to do what I referred to as a "reverse fast," by adding something into my life on a daily basis that wasn't there before...I chose to start a Positivity Project, where I posted a daily list of positive moments or lessons learned from the day. It was a great experience, and a great exercise in gratitude for what I have.

I'm still a little stuck on what to do this year, but I'm sure I'll think of something. :)

Anyway, this is supposed to be Tasty Tuesday post, right?

I spent this evening with my dad at our church partaking in our annual Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper. I gorged on pancakes and sausage, and I started to think about other foods that I'm pretty sure I could eat every day for the rest of my life. Here are a few:

Baked Macaroni and Cheese

REAL Mashed Potatoes

Pot Roast

I mean, can we talk about it? Amazing.


Those are just a few of my favorites, but as you can see...anything homemade goes a long way with me. What are the foods you could live on for the rest of your life? Share in the comments below!

I hope you'll be understanding of the brevity of this post...got in late from the pancake supper. :) I'll see you kids again tomorrow for our Writer's Corner Wednesday.

Until tomorrow,

♥ Marlee

Monday, March 7, 2011

Monday Music Moment, Vol. 10

Volume 10? For serious?

Awesome.

Hiya folks, welcome back. Hope everyone had a great weekend. Mine was lots of fun, but also lots of events, so it made for a tired Monday for this chick. I'm super excited about sharing a great up and comer with you all today, though.

I stumbled across my first video by this artist after a friend on Facebook posted one of his mash-up videos. He took 3 songs that are so vastly different and blended them in a easy, simple-but-complex sounding way. I wanted to see more, so I went to his YouTube page and came across a beauty! If you'll recall, last week I shared a video of the incredibly talented Adele singing her hit, "Someone Like You." I have been almost obsessed with that song since posting it last week. Well here I am, discovering this new kid on YouTube, and what song is amongst his covers but his own rendition of the very Adele song that has become my obsession!

Meet Nick Gardner:

For those of you unfamiliar with the song he folded in at the end, it was "Secrets," by One Republic. I just absolutely loved his take on the song, and adding in the One Republic bit at the end...just awesome, right? I didn't post lyrics for this one simply because most of them were posted last week when I featured Adele. :)

So, I've done a little research and even had the chance to exchange with Nick a couple of times on Facebook. I wanted to give you a few links so that if you like what you see and hear today, you can find out more information. Nick is really just in the beginning stages of making a name for himself. He's actually from a town in England just south of Manchester, but he's currently living in LA trying to figure out the music business. If you're interested, his Facebook page can be found here. He also has a YouTube channel where you can check out his work--he's posted tons of covers along with a few originals, and he really welcomes comments, which I think is super cool. A few other places to keep track of him are on Twitter and Tumblr, if you're interested.

Keep your eyes on this kid; I'm excited to see what might happen with him in the future. He seems very down to earth and approachable, which I also think is pretty great. Our conversation on Facebook went something like this:

Me: Just discovered your cover of Adele's "Someone Like You." Incredible talent! I'm looking forward to hearing more from you in the future.
Nick: Woop woop. I'm glad you did. Keep spreading the word if you would. x
Me: No doubt! I've already shown the video to a few people, and I'm going to feature it on my blog tomorrow. Perhaps you'll gain a few more fans. :) Kudos to you for being so open and communicating with your fans! ♥
Nick: I don't even really think of any of you as fans, just folks who've taken the time and care to come write to me; no reason not to return the favor. Thanks so much for the promo on your blog. x

Can I just say that this kid is pretty much the cutest thing ever? He's super sweet, he's easy on the eyes, has a great voice, AND he correctly used a semi-colon in a Facebook post. I think I might be falling in love!

I wanted to leave you with one more video from Nick, just to give you a taste of his versatility as an artist. This last one is another cover he's done; this time it's "Rocket Man" by Elton John. Enjoy! I'll post the lyrics below.


She packed my bags last night pre-flight
Zero hour nine a.m.
And I'm gonna be high as a kite by then

I miss the earth so much
I miss my wife
It's lonely out in space
On such a timeless flight

And I think it's gonna be a long, long time
'Til touch down brings me 'round again to find
I'm not the man they think I am at home
Oh, no no no
I'm a rocket man
Rocket man
Burning out his fuse up there alone

Mars ain't the kind of place to raise the kids
In fact it's cold as hell
And there's no one there to raise them if you did

And all this science I don't understand
It's just my job five days a week
A rocket man
A rocket man

And I think it's gonna be a long, long time
'Til touch down brings me 'round again to find
I'm not the man they think I am at home
Oh, no no no
I'm a rocket man
Rocket man
Burning out his fuse up there alone

And I think it's gonna be a long, long time
'Til touch down brings me 'round again to find
I'm not the man they think I am at home
Oh, no no no
I'm a rocket man
Rocket man
Burning out his fuse up there alone

And I think it's gonna be a long, long time
And I think it's gonna be a long, long time

Rocket man
Rocket man

Rocket man

Until tomorrow,

♥ Marlee

Friday, March 4, 2011

Friday Funnies, Vol. 9

For today's Friday Funnies, I thought I would look up some dumb laws!

I went through a phase where I really got into looking these up, and when I was wracking my brain for something fun to use for this week's Funnies, I was really excited when I thought about using this as my focus.

So, without further ado...here we go!

First up, some dumb laws from Massachusetts. (Don't ask, it's just the first one I picked.)
*It is illegal to give beer to hospital patients.
*At a wake, mourners may eat no more than three sandwiches.
*Snoring is prohibited unless all bedroom windows are closed and securely locked.
*All men must carry a rifle to church on Sunday. (Shannon, now you know where you and Andrew have to live at some point, right? :D)
HOWEVER:
*Hunting on Sundays is prohibited.
*Tomatoes may not be used in the production of clam chowder. (New Englanders do take their chowder seriously...)

Moving on to a new location--here are some dumb laws from Utah:
*It is illegal to not drink milk.
*Alcohol may not be sold during an emergency. (I wonder what constitutes an emergency in this case...)
*It is illegal to cause a catastrophe. (!)
*It's legal for restaurants to serve wine with meals, but only if you ask for the wine list.

And now, some dumb laws from Michigan:
*No man may seduce and corrupt an unmarried girl, or else he risks five years in prison.
*The last Sunday in June of every year was named "log cabin day." (Sounds like a crazy party, eh?)
*A woman isn't allowed to cut her own hair without her husband's permission.
*You may not swear in front of women and children. (Repealed, 2002...what a shame!)
*Any person over the age of 12 may have a license for a handgun as long as he/she has not been convicted of a felony. (Gotta watch out for those 13-15 year old felons...)

And we'll wrap up with my home state--North Carolina:
*It is against the law to sing off key.
*Elephants may not be used to plow cotton fields.
*If a man and a woman who aren't married go to a hotel/motel and register themselves as married then, according to state law, they are legally married. (Crazy!)
*A three dollar tax must be paid on all white goods sold. (What exactly are "white goods"?)
*Organizations may not hold their meetings while the members present are in costume.
*Bingo games may not last over 5 hours unless it is held at a fair.

Fun stuff, eh? If you're interested in finding out about more dumb laws, check out www.dumblaws.com for more!

I hope everyone had a good chuckle--have a great weekend and I'll see you folks again on Monday!

♥ Marlee