Friday, June 15, 2012

#VlogMom Music of my Life


For this week's #VlogMom, Alissa from Clever Compass asked to share three songs that take us back to a particular time and place. Little does she know that I ALWAYS  have music in my head. It was incredibly difficult to pick just three. I finally just turned on my video camera and used the first three that came to mind!

Be sure to check out what the other participants of #VlogMom have to say!

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

#VlogMom ~What's in Your Purse?


For this week's #VlogMom, (technically last week's) Tina from Life Without Pink asked us to share what is in our purses. Like right now. Just open it up and share. I wasn't scared at all. You shouldn't be either. Well, maybe a little scared! Be sure to check out the other #VlogMoms in the link-up below!


Monday, June 11, 2012

Why Do I Blog? Stream of Consciousness Sunday


#SOCsunday


I'm taking part in my friend Fadra's great meme, Stream of Consciousness Sunday. The premise is awesome. Set a timer for 5 minutes and just write. Don't edit. Don't ponder too much, just write.


Today’s (Optional) Writing Prompt: Do you have a secret blogging life? Are you connected to your “real life” friends and family through social media? How does that affect your writing?
While I don't have a "secret" blogging life, there is a significant group of my friends and family that don't understand what I'm doing. I'll admit, there are days when I don't understand it. I will get a box of fun stuff to review on my front porch(thank you ups) and wonder why on earth I'm the one chosen to review. The question frequently leads me to ponder why I am blogging. 
The why of blogging is a huge question for me. (I think the answer is slightly different for every blogger.) I love the outlet. I love the ability to be a little creative. I love having this little slice of the internet that is mine(cue the seagulls from Finding Nemo~ mine mine mine mine) Who reads my blog has very little impact on how I write. I am always writing for me. I hope that readers/viewers get something out of it, whether that's a laugh, new information or a new perspective, but I am always writing for me. 
I do love that social media allows me to keep in touch with friends/family/loved ones who don't live nearby. I think I rely on Facebook too much sometimes when I should be reaching out to my friends. 
And my five minutes is up. 
If you want to participate, or just read some of the other Stream of Consciousness posts, head over to All Things Fadra to get the scoop. 


Sunday, June 10, 2012

Lego Summer Brickation~Myrtle Beach, SC

LEGO_2012_TourLogo_FINAL

My kids have been out of school for one day(ONE!) and I'm already trying to figure out if we have enough activities planned. We are all in luck because Lego is having their Summer Brickation event at Broadway at the Beach, 1112 Celebrity Circle, Myrtle Beach, S.C.  The Summer Brickation will last from June 6th through July 17th. Several stations are set up to give your children a chance to exercise their creativity with Lego. I love the beautiful Lego sets you can buy, but I love the opportunity for my kids to use their creativity more. Lego also has several large Lego sculptures for photo opportunities. 

To celebrate the Lego Summer Brickation, Lego is giving away several prize packs. I don't do a lot of giveaways but I was excited for the chance to participate in this one. Who doesn't love Legos? (okay, I know we've all experienced the excruciating pain of stepping on a rogue lego in the middle of the night~ but Legos still rock!) 

The prize pack consists of 
legobrickationprizepack (1)
a Lego Club Magazine, 10 bricks to click(a pack of 10 bricks with building instructions) and a pirate hat.

Entry could not be easier. Leave a comment below to enter. For an additional entry, you can follow my blog via email or RSS. Just leave me another comment to let me know you are following. The contest will run through June 18th at noon. I will choose the winner using random.org. You have 24 hours to respond or I will choose another winner. Good Luck and Happy Building!

I was selected by GigCoin and compensated to participate in this posting and giveaway. As always my opinions remain my very own. (If there is any doubt of my family's devotion to Lego, I'll be happy to post a picture the Lego-filled closet in our playroom!)

Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Brave Glossary from Disney Pixar

MeridaTakesOff_print_3_17_11.special16
courtesy of Disney/Pixar

It's no secret that I am excited for the release of Disney/Pixar's new movie, Brave. I am a little '"extra" excited because the movie is set in Scotland. My ancestors were from the West coast of Scotland, from a tiny island called Islay (known primarily for it's Scotch!) I have been to Scotland once and would love to return with my family. The country is filled with stories and legends. 

From a press release: "Set in the rugged and mysterious Highlands of Scotland, Disney•Pixar’s “Brave” follows the heroic journey of Merida (voice of Kelly Macdonald), a skilled archer and headstrong daughter of King Fergus (voice of Billy Connolly) and Queen Elinor (voice of Emma Thompson). Determined to change her fate, Merida defies an age-old custom sacred to the unruly and uproarious lords of the land: massive Lord MacGuffin (voice of Kevin McKidd), surly Lord Macintosh (voice of Craig Ferguson) and cantankerous Lord Dingwall (voice of Robbie Coltrane), unleashing chaos in the kingdom. When she turns to an eccentric Witch (voice of Julie Walters), she is granted an ill-fated wish and the ensuing peril forces Merida to harness all of her resources—including her mischievous triplet brothers—to undo a beastly curse and discover the meaning of true bravery. Directed by Mark Andrews and Brenda Chapman, and produced by Katherine Sarafian, “Brave” is a grand adventure full of heart, memorable characters and signature Pixar h or. Opens on June 22, 2012, in Disney Digital 3D™ in select theaters."

To help prepare for the movie, Disney/Pixar sent a glossary of Scottish terms. I'm not sure how many of these you would actually hear in Scotland, but some of them are great fun!

GLOSSARY

A story set in Scotland would be jiggery pokery without its share of Scottish words and phrases. And crivens, “Brave” has plenty! But it would all be for naught unless accompanied by a proper glossary, so here goes…


AUTOCHTHONOUS
Indigenous, native
Taught to filmmakers by Emma Thompson (voice of Queen Elinor), who used it to describe “Brave’s” Castle Dunbroch because it appears to have grown right out of the earth.

BLUE WODE
A blue dye extracted from a cabbage-type plant used by inhabitants of ancient Scotland to paint their bodies
Lord MacGuffin and Young MacGuffin paint their bodies in blue wode to proclaim that they are ready for battle at any moment.

BRAE
Hill

BUNCH OF GALOOTS
Many fools
galoot = clumsy, oafish person

CARNYX
A Celtic trumpet with a bell shaped like a boar’s head. Held vertically so it can be heard in large crowds, a carnyx was used during wartime to send troops into battle.
In “Brave,” it signals the start of the Highland Games.

CRIVENS, YOU’RE FIERCE
Wow! You’re cool or ferocious or tough!
crivens = expression of surprise or shock

DANCING TATTY BOGLE
An expression that describes something outlandish or imaginary
tatty = shabby, cheap
bogle, boggle or bogill = ghost or folkloric being


DORIC
A dialect from the Aberdeenshire region in Scotland
Elgin native Kevin McKidd (voice of MacGuffin and Young MacGuffin), who learned Doric from his grandfather, proposed to filmmakers for Young MacGuffin to speak the incomprehensible dialect in “Brave.”

DREADFUL COLLYWOBBLES
Unwanted stomachache or a bad case of the nerves
collywobbles = upset stomach; intestinal disturbances or a feeling of apprehension

FOR NAUGHT
For no reason

FINISH WHAT HE GUDDLED IN THE FIRST PLACE
Fix, clean up or otherwise remedy something that’s been horribly mishandled.
guddle = make a mess of it

GAMY SPELL
An unfortunate bit of magic
gamy = bad

GLEN
Small, narrow, secluded valley

GOOGLY OLD HAG
Outlandish, unattractive senior
googly = strange, odd

GIANT HAVING A JIGGER IN THE BLUEBELLS
Similar to Dancing Tatty Bogle, something that’s absurd or fantastical

HAGGIS
Though some will joke that a haggis is a small animal native to Scotland, it is actually a traditional Scottish pudding made with sheep’s heart, liver and lungs, encased in a sheep’s stomach and cooked for several hours. Often served with “neeps and tatties" (turnips and potatoes).

HIGHLAND GAMES
Festivals that celebrate Scottish and Celtic culture and heritage, especially that of the Scottish Highlands. Includes competitions in piping and drumming, dancing, archery, caber tossing, stone put and other Scottish athletics, plus entertainment and exhibits.

JIGGERY POKERY
Nonsense

JINGS CRIVENS HELP MA BOAB
Oh my!
Exclamation of bewilderment or exasperation

KILT
A pleated and draped tartan fabric garment worn by Scottish men
During the production of “Brave” director Mark Andrews and several animators wore

kilts to work on Fridays—dubbed Kilt Fridays—to get in the spirit of Scotland and the film’s characters.

LASS
Girl

LAD
Boy

LOCH
Lake

MANKY DOGS
Unsavory person or being
manky = dirty, worthless or in bad taste

MICHTY ME
Wow! Holy cow!
An exclamation of surprise, shock or being overwhelmed

NUMPTY
Useless individual

NUT ‘EM
Head-butt ‘em

SCAFFY WITCH
A tricky or slick being with magical powers
scaffy = trickster

SCARED SIMPERIN’ JACKANAPES
Belittling description of a goofy and unworthy opponent
simpering = silly smile
jackanape =  an insulting reference to a monkey or ape; a braggart; a mischievous child

SCUTTLE THE VIKING LONGSHIPS
Sink Viking ships by making holes in the bottom

STUFF HER GOB
Eat with abandon
gob = mouth

TARTAN
A specially designed woven fabric that identifies a clan. April 6th is National Tartan Day in the United States.

TOSSING CABERS
A test of strength and skill seen in Highland Games in which the competitor raises a pole vertically with the small end down, and then throws it
Caber = a long, tapered section of a tree trunk

TUMSHIE
Turnip… or foolish person. Or both.


WEE
Small

WE’LL BILE YUR HEED WAE DUMPLIN’ BREED; TAE MAKE AN URSINE STEW
bile yer heed (boil your head) = don’t be ridiculous. Also used as an exclamation if someone is doing something stupid and it's annoying
In “Brave” King Fergus sings what he’ll do to the demon bear Mor’du when he catches him to avenge his lost leg. Not only will he boil his head, but he’ll add dumplings to make a bear stew.

WILL O’ THE WISPS
Ghostly lights or small blue spirits that lead the way to treasure or doom.
In “Brave,” the will o’ the wisps lead Merida to change her fate.

I think "dreadful collywobbles" might be my favorite! See you at the movie!






Monday, June 4, 2012

Recipes from Magazines

Tell me I'm not the only one. I buy beautiful magazines with recipes and pictures of beautiful food (that must taste wonderful because the pictures are so lovely.) The magazine collects dust on my bedside table until I finally toss it into the recycling bin. If we're being honest, I don't toss it in the recycling bin, I put it on top of the stack of other beautiful magazines with pictures of beautiful food because "I want to try that recipe someday." Now Pinterest feeds this addiction with much less mess.
 Yesterday I broke down and decided to make one of the recipes. One of my favorite food magazines is Everyday Food by Martha Stewart. I had some cherry tomatoes so I decided to try the recipe for "Pasta with Roasted Tomatoes and Capers."  The recipe was easy and actually did taste good. (Yay, me!)

photo (21)
photo by Amy Hodges

I want to know,  do you have any favorite recipes you found in a magazine?