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Saturday, March 31, 2012

Just Plain Mad...

That's right...it's time for the A to Z Blogging Challenge again.  I had a great time last year so will be jumping in feet first for more fun.

I'm not sure what theme I'll go with, I'll be figuring that out today but I want to invite everyone to come back each day for new posts.

Also, those folks who take the time to leave a comment will be entered in random drawings during the month for books and other cool prizes. I'll figure out that today too. :-)

If you're a blogger and want to join us, there's still time. You can get more info here.

Bloggers... Warm up those fingers...

Thursday, March 29, 2012

Mad about...Nutella!

Okay, I admit it.  I've come to Nutella late in life but I'd seen it advertised as "healthy" and while I appreciate healthy things, I don't usually actively seek them out.  Even if they do have chocolate in 'em.  However, I'm here now and let's just say wow!

Nutella was created by a man named Pietro Ferrero, who was a pastry maker back in the 1940′s. Apparently, there was a shortage of cocoa due to the rationing of World War I, so this genius (evil mastermind)  used hazelnuts to add substance to the spread and to extend their chocolate supply.

Lately, breakfast has become Nutella on whole grain toast. It's warm and gooey and yummy and definitely not healthy. And while I'm happy to eat it straight from the jar, here's a link to some recipes that include Nutella.

 Nutella Recipes (5 pages of 'em)

 21 More Nutella Recipes ( I want to try the Nutella Mug Cake!!!)

Nutella Cheesecake (I have GOT to try this one!)

Six Pack of Murder (Not a recipe but goes great with Nutella.)

How do you like your Nutella?

And don't forget about our March Madness Giveaways.

Saturday, March 24, 2012

Mad About... The Hunger Games

Okay, I'll admit I came late to The Hunger Games but once I got here, I settled in for a good long time.  In fact, my youngest daughter bought the book several months ago and after she read it, it laid around for a while where she left it. (in the living room) I didn't pay much attention to it and I don't know why I picked it up but I did, started reading and didn't stop except to fix dinner for hubby that  night.  I finished it about 2 in the morning and then laid awake pondering the characters, what could/would happen next and wishing I had the next book in my hands.

The next day, I headed to the store to pick up the next book in the series and much to my dismay, it was available in hardcover only.  Now, I don't know about you, but I hate paying hardcover prices for a book I'm not sure of.  I mean, how many sequels don't live up to the first?  This one did. :-)

I managed to get book 2 & 3 at the library and devoured them in two days.  Let's just say, nothing got done except the necessities.

Both books, Catching Fire and Mockingjay, lived up to the standards set in The Hunger Games.  I'll be getting a hardcover set to keep and reread soon. :-)

But, The Hunger Games had me do something I've never done before.  Seriously consider going to the midnight showing of the movie on opening day.  I didn't do the midnight movie but I did get there opening day.

I was totally pleased with the movie version.  There were a few deviations but they were live-withable. The actors did a great job portraying the characters. I'm not sure who my favorite is.  Woody Harrelson made a great Haymitch. And casting Donald Sutherland as President Snow...brilliant.

If you loved or even liked the books, I encourage you to see the movie.  I've got my toes crossed they make a second one.

May the odds ever be in your favor.  :-)


Hunger Games - Beanie Baby Version  My daughter found this the other day. I just had to add and share.  Enjoy!

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Mad as.... Angry Birds

I LOVE Angry Birds.  I even put it on my phone so when I'm waiting on hubby or son I have something to occupy my time. 

Seems like the green pigs...this must be where the green ham comes from...stole some eggs.  The birds are angry and are doing a "big bad wolf" imitation of sorts. Instead of blowing houses down, they launch themselves from a slingshot and knock down the structures. Each bird has different abilities so you have to plan accordingly.

I think my favorite Angry Bird is the yellow one.  But I like the black one too.

I even like the silly green pigs.

Want to give Angry Birds a try?  You can play free here.

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Mad as a Box of Frogs

 That's right...a box of frogs. This is an English saying that leans toward the crazy side of madness. But don't you just love it.  I can't wait to say it in conversation.  I mean, that's just mad a a box of frogs or she's mad as a box of frogs.  It just sounds so cool.  I'm definitely adding this to my list of things to say.

I also found a band called Box of Frogs. One site classified them as "blues" but I'm not so sure about that.  I do know I'm adding Box of Frogs to my musical like list.  I'd never heard of them until I was researching this post but apparently they were quite popular at one time. In fact, Box of Frogs was started by members of the Yardbirds.

Here's a link to the YouTube I discovered.  I've got a real eclectic taste in music so this fits right in. :-)

Sunday, March 11, 2012

Marching Band Humor

Why did Mozart kill all his chickens?
They kept running around yelling, "Bach! Bach! Bach!"

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Speilberg thought of an idea for a action drama about famous musicians played by superstars. Sylvester Stallone, Steven Segall, Bruce Willis, and Arnold Schwartzenegger all showed up. Speilberg told them to pick what musician they wanted to be as long as they were famous.

"I'll be Mozart because I've always admired his classical music," said Stallone.
"I liked Chopin's piano music and I think I'll play his role," said Bruce.
"I think I'll be Beethoven because he wrote excellent music," Segall said.

Speilburg was excited because he loved this idea. When he asked who Arnold would be, Arnold said, "I'll be Bach".

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 Two musicians are driving down a road. All of a sudden they notice the Grim Reaper in the back seat. Death informs them that they had an accident and they both died. But, before he must take them off into eternity, he grants each musician with one last request to remind them of their past life on earth. The first musician says he was a Country & Western musician and would like to hear eight choruses of Achy-Breaky Heart as a last hooray. The second musician says "I was a jazz musician...kill me now!"

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"Haven't I seen your face before?" a judge demanded, looking down at the defendant.
"You have, Your Honor," the man answered hopefully. "I gave your son violin lessons last winter."
 "Ah, yes," recalled the judge. "Twenty years!"

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Why do bagpipe players walk while they play? To get away from the noise.
 
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Once upon a time, there was a blind rabbit and blind snake, both living in the same neighborhood. One beautiful day, the blind rabbit was hopping happily down the path toward his home, when he bumped into someone. Apologizing profusely he explained, "I am blind, and didn't see you there."
"Perfectly all right," said the snake, "because I am blind, too, and did not see to step out of your way."
A conversation followed, gradually becoming more intimate, and finally the snake said, "This is the best conversation I have had with anyone for a long time. Would you mind if I felt you to see what you are like?"
"Why, no," said the rabbit. "Go right ahead."
So the snake wrapped himself around the rabbit and shuffled and snuggled his coils, and said, "MMMM! You're soft and warm and fuzzy and cuddly...and those ears! You must be a rabbit."
"Why, that's right!" said the rabbit. "May I feel you?"
"Go right ahead." said the snake, stretching himself out full length on the path.
The rabbit began to stroke the snake's body with his paws, then drew back in disgust. "Yuck!" he said. "You're cold...and slimy... you must be a conductor!"

Friday, March 9, 2012

Mad as a Wet Hen

Here's another interesting idiom.  And I'm not so sure it really is accurate.  I mean, I've seen wet hens before and they weren't angry.  Maybe it has something to do with the origins of the saying. Again, I'm not so sure on this but it's cute.

Seems like when hens get into the "I'm gonna hatch me some eggs" mindset it takes a lot to get 'em out of it.  Even if you gather all the eggs. So, what you do is dunk her in a bucket of water.  Now, it takes several times for this to change her mind and apparently after the third or fourth dunking she gets seriously ticked off. But at least she goes back to laying instead of sitting around.

So, while Mad as a Hatter tends to mean crazy, Mad as a Wet Hen mends very angry.  Don't you just love March Madness!

Picture by Linda Silvestri.