Category Archives: entertaiment

Love You Like a Love Song Earwig

Posted on by Run DMT
11

Every time Selena Gomez and the Scene’s song plays on the radio, my kids yell and beg from the back of the mini-van for me to turn it up.  It’s a cute song, so I don’t mind.  Like an 80s throwback, it’s got a good beat and it’s easy to dance to you.  Even the video is an 80s throwback.


 
And much like the bubble pop music of the 80s, this song will get stuck in my head for days. At least the lyrics are sweet so I don’t mind when they keep re-peat-peat-peat-peat-peat-petaing in my head (except when that part plays over and over in my head).

It’s been said and done
Every beautiful thought’s been already sung
And I guess right now here’s another one
So your melody will play on and on, with the best of ‘em
You are beautiful, like a dream come alive, incredible
A centerfold miracle, lyrical
You’ve saved my life again
And I want you to know baby

I, I love you like a love song, baby
I, I love you like a love song, baby
I, I love you like a love song, baby

And I keep hitting re-peat-peat-peat-peat-peat-peat

I, I love you like a love song, baby
I, I love you like a love song, baby
I, I love you like a love song, baby

And I keep hitting re-peat-peat-peat-peat-peat-peat

Constantly, boy you played through my mind like a symphony
There’s no way to describe what you do to me
You just do to me, what you do
And it feels like I’ve been rescued
I’ve been set free
I am hypnotized by your destiny
You are magical, lyrical, beautiful
You are… And I want you to know baby

I, I love you like a love song, baby
I, I love you like a love song, baby
I, I love you like a love song, baby

And I keep hitting re-peat-peat-peat-peat-peat-peat

I, I love you like a love song, baby
I, I love you like a love song, baby
I, I love you like a love song, baby

And I keep hitting re-peat-peat-peat-peat-peat-peat

No one compares
You stand alone, to every record I own
Music to my heart that’s what you are
A song that goes on and on

I, I love you like a love song, baby
I, I love you like a love song, baby
I, I love you like a love song, baby

And I keep hitting re-peat-peat-peat-peat-peat-peat

I, I love you like a love song, baby
I, I love you like a love song, baby
I, I love you like a love song, baby

I love you…like a love song…

When I really listened to the lyrics, I realized the song could be so much better than a bubble-gum pop hit.  If someone slowed it down and sang a more soulful version of it with just an acoustic guitar, you would then hear the beauty in the love song.

Surely, someone has figured that one out already.  I couldn’t be the only one.  (Nope, I’m not and don’t call me Shirley.)  

Although the volume of the video is very low, Dena’s version is definitely worth listening to, so crank it up.


 
I even found a tutorial guitar lesson, which I was sure to pass along to my guitar playing hubby.  Maybe he’ll serenade me for Valentine’s Day.

For that, I’ll love him like a love song and I’ll keep hitting re-peat-peat-peat-peat-peat-peat.



Visit Xmas Dolly and Hairbows & Guitar Picks for more Music Monday fun.

A Northern Sky, a Cool Yule and a Miracle

Posted on by Run DMT
7

Does any else feel like Christmas threw up on them?  That’s the ugly metaphor I’m choosing to describe the Christmas chaos I’m feeling.  You should see the state of my house.  I think the tree is finally decorated, but I still have a gazillion cards to post and a pile of last minute gifts still yet to buy and of course, tons of wrapping to do.

However, all of that will be put on hold, because today I am chaperoning a field trip to Legoland with Allana’s class.  I plan to write some cards on the bus on the way, but with how car sick I get, I could literally puke Christmas.  I may need to rethink that plan.

Anyhow, this Music Monday post will be a little light today because I’ve got so much to do, like blog about our anniversary date in the midst of the Christmas madness.  Yesterday, Allan and I had a fabulously fun Serendipity-style date, but I’ll explain all that in great lengths in another blog post.

While you wait for all the details, I’ll tease you with a movie clip from Serendipity set to Nick Drake’s Northern Sky.

If you didn’t know already, I have this thing for movie soundtracks and I absolutely LOVE the Serendipity soundtrack, so I have to include the song even though it’s not a Christmas song.  It’s a very fitting song for our anniversary because my Allan comes from a northern town in England and of course, like I said, a perfect way to tie in a tease about our Serendipity-style date.

But Christmas music has been the Music Monday (and Xmas Dolly’s Monday’s Music Moves Me) theme for the past month, so I’ll share a Christmas song from Serendipity.

And since tomorrow night is the first night of Hanukkah, I’ll leave you with some Matisyahu.  Besides, it will take nothing short of miracle to help me with all this Christmas chaos.



Visit Xmas Dolly and Hairbows & Guitar Picks for more Music Monday fun.

A Very She & Him Christmas

Posted on by Run DMT
10

I read somewhere that Zooey Deschanel’s voice helped land her role in Elf.  Since first watching that movie, my husband has had a crash on Zooey Deschanel all in part to her voice.  Normally, Allan doesn’t have a thing for blondes, but he could see past this siren’s golden locks in part to her soulful, sleepy bedroom voice.

 

Once he learned she was a brunette, Zooey Deschanel had a permanent spot on Allan’s laminated list somewhere between Marisa Tomei and Amy Adams.

Honestly, I’m not the biggest fan of Zooey Deschanel’s voice.  I’d prefer to watch her in (500) Days of Summer or as the adorkable Jess in her new hit comedy, New Girl rather than listen to her sing.  However, I had a change of heart when I heard She & Him’s In the Sun, but more recently when I heard their new Christmas album, A Very She & Him Christmas.

More than another Christmas album filled with favorites, She & Him honors these songs with pure and simple renditions, perfect for cool nights drinking hot cocoa in front of a fire while gazing at the tree.  In a world of autotune and over produced music, each song sends you back to an era of a simpler time when families sat around a radio for enjoyment.

My favorite song on the album is The Christmas Waltz.  Zooey’s style and tone reflects the true heart and feel of the song.  Watch She & Him’s live performance on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.

 

I’ve downloaded the songs from amazon and on the sly, I’ll add a few songs to Allan’s player as a surprise for our anniversary in a few weeks.  Christmas songs by She & Him will make a sweet, romantic gift, especially since Zooey’s voice is like sugar straight from the candy cane.  (Watch out, Jewel!)

Pssst!  Speaking of gifts….Don’t miss this one!



Visit Xmas Dolly and Hairbows & Guitar Picks for more Music Monday fun.

A Whole Latte Shaking Going on with NesCafe Dolce Gusto

Posted on by Run DMT
11

Monday evening, Kelly and I joined some local foodie bloggers for the NesCafé Dolce Gusto FeedUp at Restaurant BT in South Tampa.

Having dined at Restaurant BT before, I was chomping at the bit to sample her NesCafé Dolce Gusto dish:  Shaking Beef (Bo Luc Lac).  Chef BT demonstrated how to prepare the dish, which is featured in the NesCafe Dolce Gusto- The Dinner Party Primer.

Shaking Beef (Bo Luc Lac)

Ingredients

1 lb filet mignon steak

4 cloves finely chopped garlic

2 Tbsp Oil or butter

1 Tbsp soy sauce

1 Tbsp fish sauce

1 Tbsp sugar

1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper

2 vine ripe tomatoes

2 cups watercress

1/4 red onion, finely sliced

1 Tbsp Cognac (Courvoisier optional)

Directions

  • Cut steak into bite-sized cubes, place in a bowl with garlic, soy sauce. red onion, fish sauce, sugar and pepper.  Mix well.
  • Heat a large, heavy-based pan until very hot. Add oil or butter until brown.  Add beef cubes and toss by shaking the pan.
  • Turn meat with tongs until brown and seared on the outside but still pink in the center.
  • Add congnac and toss before removing from heat.
  • Slice tomatoes and arrange on plate to make a decorative base.
  • Arrange watercress around or on top of tomatoes and watercress.
  • Place the beff in a mound on top of tomatoes and watercress.
  • Served with jasmine-scented steamed rice.

The tender bite-sized filet mignon melted in my mouth.  It was simply divine and our evening was off to a very satisfying start.

After a few more appetizers and desserts with a Vietnamese flare, we sampled the NesCafé Dolce Gusto.  These coffees target a demographic audience of 25-35 year olds in attempt to tap into the Keurig market.

I often drink Starbuck’s Via in a pinch, on the go or while camping and the NesCafé Dolce Gusto is very similar product.  As compared to Starbuck’s Vanilla Via, the Dolce Gusto Vanilla Latte Macchiatto has a milder taste.  For my sample Dolce Gusto Vanilla Latte Macchiatto, I chose to go a little lighter on the cream and froth, so it needed a bit more sugar, but it was still very smooth and tasty.

Since I don’t like my kitchen counters cluttered with a bunch of small appliances, the NesCafé Dolce Gusto Piccolo is the perfect compact size.  Plus, it is very easy to operate.  No barista training necessary.

Although I am a Vanilla Latte kind of lady, there are a variety of other NesCafé Dolce Gusto Flavors, including regular brew coffees, cappuccinos, espressos, hot cocoa and iced teas.

And by the looks on all the bloggers’ faces, it gets everyone’s seal of approval.

 

Photobucket

 

Now link up and see what If I Could Escape and Gone Bananas are serving for this week’s Friday Food Fight.



*Also submitted at*

I am a Food RENEGADE!Fat Camp Friday Button

PhotoStory Fridaythe hollie rogue

For Folk’s Sake

Posted on by Run DMT
4

No man may be island, but Ella’s Americana Folk Art Café definitely sets itself apart in a sea of usual Tampa dining standards. Situated in heart of Seminole Heights, the red brick-colored building stands out as blatantly as the Seminole Heights Baptist Church.

Upon walking along Ella’s bowling ball edged path and stepping foot into the restaurant, its eclectic sensibility is evident by the art in the yard and its collections hanging on the walls.

Even the bar is a work of art.

In true Southern style, we were welcomed by everyone from the hostess, the bartender, the chef, the owner and lastly our server.  With his recommendation, we started our meal with hummus pesto spread drizzled with a balsamic reduction and served with warm soft pita.

Rumor has it that Ella’s organic Angus beef burgers are bar none.  My oldest daughter tried The Boring minus the toppings as she didn’t want them getting in the way of the meat.  I stole her beer-battered zucchini fritters so she wouldn’t have to subject herself to another veggie in the way of her burger.

Hubby ordered The Stuffed, a half-pound organic raised Angus beef patty stuffed with caramelized onion, gorgonzola and bacon served on a bed of arugula.  A name very fitting for this burger since Allan could only finish half of it.  So, I helped myself to his sweet potato waffle fries.

Even with food made fresh daily and all natural, organic ingredients, I steered away from the Angus beef burgers and ordered The Good, which may seem silly with menu full of interesting twists on soul food favorites.  But I couldn’t resist a homemade veggie burger and my decision didn’t disappoint me.  With a chickpea flour base, Ella’s veggie patty was chockfull of whole beans, such as black bean and garbanzo.   I made The Good even better and healthier by ordering a side salad to accompany my burger.  Besides, I needed to balance out the fried foods I pinched off my family’s plates.

Plus, my guilt-free meal allowed me to indulge in a true Southern summertime classic, Peach Cobbler.  Bourbon soaked peaches served warm with homemade vanilla ice cream was a sweet ending to a fantastic meal.

We’re planning another visit to Ella’s Americana Folk Art Café very soon, especially for Soul Food Sunday or a Friday night for the live music.  But we’ll certainly visit again in cooler weather to enjoy our meal on Ella’s darling outside dining deck which spotlights another work of art, a huge old oak tree.

*Proudly submitted to*

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PhotoStory Friday

Good Times at the Glazer Children’s Museum

Posted on by Run DMT
13

On the first Tuesday of each month, the Glazer Children Museum offers $2 Tuesdays sponsored by Target from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.  Where visiting the museum could be considered a luxury spending for some, this generous community outreach program helps make a fun afternoon affordable for families experiencing financial hardships.

By the length of the queue to enter the museum on $2 Tuesdays, it is apparent that many families certainly appreciate the reduced admission for the Glazer Children’s Museum.  I highly recommend arriving early to avoid a long wait.

For this month’s visit, my SIL, our children and I played in the fountains at Curtis Hixon Park to pass the time while waiting in line.  One adult stayed with the children while the other held our spot in line.  It was a very clever and refreshing plan!

Once inside, guests can experience all the hands-on exhibits just as any other day at the museum and more.

My children love the water play of Kids Port and Gasparilla Island with its sandy-colored rubber crumbles instead of your typical beach sand.  It pours and piles just like regular sand as the children discovered and attempted to bury me alive.

Shopping is a pleasure at the Publix Super Market, but especially for my little one as he pushed his shopping cart around like a Lightning McQueen circling the track.

And the tunnel in the tot spot was almost as much fun.

My family and I love the Gazer Children’s Museum so much that we plan to visit more often than the first Tuesday of each month.  Therefore, as a belated birthday present to my children, I purchased a family membership.  Now with our annual family membership, we can enjoy the museum more regularly and other children’s museums in their reciprocal program.

And that’s a great thing, because the museum is as much fun as it is tasty.

Just Wild About Harry

Posted on by Run DMT
5

A set of Harry Potter hardcover books sit on my bookcase like trophies on a mantel, my pride possessions.  Back in my teaching days, I read the series to my students.

When Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone hit the big screen, Allana was an infant, only a couple weeks old and we dragged her along to see it.  By doing so, we created her Harry Potter obsession at a very early age.

A few years ago, Allan began reading the books to Allana.  I believe Allan enjoyed having an excuse to read children’s books.  Of course, they loved them as much as my students and I did.  Allana loved the books so much that she began rereading them again to herself once she was capable of reading the books on her own.

Then, a couple of years ago, she dressed as Hermoine for Halloween, which also happened to be the same year she requested a Harry Potter birthday party.

Of course, being huge Harry Potter fans, we had to see Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 on opening weekend.  Allana wore her Gryffindor robe to celebrate the occasion.

Before The Deathly Hallows: Part 2, The Sorcerer’s Stone had always been my favorite movie because I loved watching the magic of Harry Potter come to life.  However, this weekend, The Deathly Hallows became my favorite Harry Potter movie.  Perhaps it was the action or the many great lines which I kept quoting afterwards but more likely I enjoyed witnessing the closure for a great epic hero.

On screen, we’ve had ten years of Harry Potter, the same age as Allana.  She was a fan from the start.  I should have named her Lily Hermoine.

Come on, Tom! Let’s finish the way we started… together! –Harry Potter

Reggae, Two Marleys and Some Mellow Fellows

Posted on by Run DMT
8

I love reggae because it’s such feel good music. Like I’ve said in a previous post, Bob Marley’s Legend would be my desert island disc with One Love and Three Little Birds being my top two picks off that album even though I love the whole collection.

So when Xmas Dolly asked the Monday’s Music Moves Me participants to pick a reggae song for this week’s theme, I was happy to oblige. But I’ve already shared One Love and Three Little Birds and I’m sure many of the other MMMM participants would also pick Bob Marley songs. But I just love Three Little Birds.  The words, the reggae beat moves me.

“Don’t worry ’bout a thing, 
‘Cause every little thing gonna be all right.”

So my slightly neurotic obsession with Three Little Birds would not let me share another reggae song.  What to do?  What to do?  Then, it hits me.  Just about every musician has covered Three Little Birds at some point, right?  So, I searched YouTube for a decent cover and I found a Mraz Marley mash-up.   PERFECT! Two greats that go great together!

 

 

But then, I started to second guess my reggae selection because I just shared a Jason Mraz song last week and I felt I wasn’t broadening my reggae repertoire by sticking with a Marley song and there is a lot of great reggae music out there. So to show that my readers that I can think of other reggae music outside of Bob Marley, I’ll share Ziggy Marley’s latest hit.  (You are getting the irony and the humor in this, right?)

 

 

Now the next video has nothing do to with reggae, except that when I think of reggae, I think of mellow, feel good songs, which also makes me think of Jack Johnson. So, when I stumbled upon on this hilarious music video featuring Andy Sandberg of SNL and his The Lonely Island crew, I simply had to share it.  

 

 

This week, rock on with some reggae and stay mellow and be sure to Visit Amanda, Xmas Dolly and Hairbows & Guitar Picks for more Music Monday fun.

Advent Calendar: Day 7

Posted on by Run DMT
34

 

 

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas
Ev’rywhere you go;
Take a look in the five and ten glistening once again
With candy canes and silver lanes aglow.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I wish we could put up some of the Christmas spirit in jars and open a jar of it every month. – Harlan Miller

 

 

 

Songs In The Key Of Hanukkah

Posted on by Run DMT
11

Although I’m not Jewish, I own a menorah.  My Italian decent mother grew up in a predominately Jewish neighborhood in NYC.  As a young woman living in Forest Hills, NY, my mom learned to embrace and appreciate Jewish customs.  That love and admiration trickled down to my sister and me.  As a teacher and a parent, I have always understood the importance for my children to embrace and appreciate other cultures, particularly Jewish celebrations such as Hanukkah.

 

This Wednesday, my children and I will light our menorah and play dreidel on the first night of Hanukkah.  We’ll also sing songs to celebrate the Festival of Lights, but these are far from the songs my sister and I sang as kids.

 

Over the years as I have taught my children some of the Jewish customs, there has been a resurgence of Jewish music, but these traditional Jewish songs have been modernized.

 

 

 

From New Line Records:

“Songs In The Key Of Hanukkah is a record that takes Hanukkah music to a place it’s never been before. It’s a musical voyage that bears repeated listening both for adults and kids who will love to hear the re-workings of the songs they already know as well as the new, original tracks,” says Baron Cohen. “Hanukkah has always been a kid-focused holiday so the challenge was how to transform the music so that it was cool and interesting for adults and yet something that the whole family could enjoy.”

 

While searching YouTube to find songs spotlighting the Jewish culture in honor of Hanukkah this week, I discovered one of my favorite artists, Matisyahu, released a Hanukkah album, entitled Miracle.

 

 

Matisyahu is a reggae artist who combines beatbox with traditional Jewish themes.  His music and the message behind it all truly moves me.

 

 

 

 

To really understand Matisyahu and his music, I highly recommend you watch One Day, which is only available to view on You Tube here.

 

For the next three weeks, I will be sharing my favorite holiday tunes.  It would make me very jolly if you shared your favorite holiday tunes, too.

 

 

Visit Amanda, Xmas Dolly and Hairbows & Guitar Picks for more Music Monday fun.