Sunshiney Day:

What a b-e-a-utiful day! But first.. let me rewind.

The FJC played spectacularly Friday evening. My favorite new tune of the night was Ellington's "Concerto for Cootie," mainly because my extremely sexy and talented husband played the trumpet solo. It was kinda great. A close second was Maynard's "Birdland." It was a little rough around the edges, but I am really looking forward to hearing it again in the future!

Here are a few quick snap shots of the evening. It was stellar dark, and my main goal was to listen, so my shots are pretty lame.

Hubs in the mix. 

Drew grooving. 

Stef and Eve(not pictured) are my Scarpino's gals.

Last night was Chris's birthday, and we went over to his and Stephanie's (not same as pictured above) house to celebrate. It basically turned into one huge Wii Rock Band party, but it was a blast. Such great people. 

Stephanie is a great host!

Hubs and I actually got to pose together for a picture!

And now we are back to today... which was absolutely wonderful. I have missed the sun! We got to sleep in this morning since we stayed out at Chris and Steph's house until midnight. After that, we did a few small things around the house, rode bikes up to Central JH and then got cleaned up. Chase had a meeting for the APO and I made the weekly Sunday trip to Wal-Mart. 

Have I mentioned that I absolutely love, love, love E-mealz? They make my life so much easier. I currently use the Points Plan. It has helped me reach the 10lb goal! Oh yes... 10 lbs! Since I have joined WW I have lost a total of 10 lbs. The best part is that we have totally changed our lifestyle in a way that will be beneficial to us for the rest of our lives.

*****ALSO! Pampered Chef party at my house on Tuesday, March 2nd, 2010 at 6:30pm (est). If you love Pampered Chef, then I definitely hope you will come! There will be fantastic food (of course) and great fellowship. If you would like to come, but aren't able to attend, you can order online at:

http://www.pamperedchef.biz/jennicox

Just click "Shop Online" and then type in "Kalyn Cavalier" for your host! I really hope some of you can make it! I am looking forward to seeing y'all. *****

We can all use a little sunshine in our lives.

Jazz Collective:

So, the hubs and a few of his buddies started a Big Band almost a year ago called The Fayetteville Jazz Collective and they are playing tonight at Scarpino's on Dickson Street. It's kinda fabulous, and I really love the atmosphere. If you're itching to swing dance, or just want to sit back and enjoy some sultry tunes, you should come out to Scarpino's tonight at 8:00pm.

Here's an article from last October from FayettevilleArts.org:

"Local musicians Chase Cavalier, Ben Harris, Nathan Mcleod and Michael Olefsky recently established the unique, 17 member big band with a dedication to performing challenging music at a very high level, as well as to provide an outlet for local composers to showcase their work. The band currently performs pieces by local composers Lindell Black, Dr. James Greeson and Rick Salonen, filling out their sets with a widening variety of standards by Sammy Nestico, Thad Jones, Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Chick Corea, and Gordon Goodwin.


The Fayetteville Jazz Collective consists of 17 talented and experienced local musicians. The performers are Nathan Mcleod, Art Fogartie, Jonathan Howland, Sarah Manasreh and Rick Salonen on saxophone, Michael Olefsky, Steve Carruthers, Gerald Sloan, and Matt Shipes on trombone, Chase Cavalier, Michael Howland, Rob Kain and Shane Harris on trumpet, Ben Harris on guitar, Drew Packard on bass, Claudia Burson on piano and Darren Novotny on drum set"

It'll be fab, so come and join us!

Hip Hop Hopotamus.

I was just about to write "I am embarrassed to say I don't have much to write," and then I thought back on my week, and BAM, remembered that this was the week from... well this was a busy week. It really wasn't a bad week. Actually it was quite the opposite, but it has definitely been super-uber busy. 

Speaking of 'uber,' my dad actually said the work 'uber' yesterday and it kinda tripped me out. I don't even remember the context, but I giggled inside. It was sweet. 

Anyhoodle, back on track. My week. It was cool. And busy. But loooong. We started with a regular Monday/Tuesday at school, but there were parent/teacher night conferences, so we were up at school until 7:00pm both of those nights. Wednesday there was a District meeting for all the music teachers, so instead of school, we got to go talk about all sorts of fun teacher stuff. I learned quite a bit that day, and I also got to talk to my sweet friend Caroline all day. It was a fab time. 

Thursday was regular school day. At this point, I am teaching all classes but third grade right now, because Kaci's is finishing up their program (which is Tuesday night, you should come!). Starting Wednesday and for the next four weeks, I will be planning and teaching all classes, K-5. I'm pretty stoked and love, love, love it. Never before have I actually looked forward to going to school the next day. I am not just waiting for the next moment in my life to get closer to the weekend, but I am ENJOYING what I am doing ever day. It's surreal. 

Anyhoodle, on Friday, there was no school; however, there was a super amazing Arts and Literature Workshop (program here) that we went to and it was a great experience. I learned a few new things, found a TON of great resources/new books, and spent a day of fun with Kaci and other Springdale/Fayetteville music teachers. Fabulous day, indeed.

Later that evening, I went to Kaci's Pampered Chef party. Delish! The theme for the evening was "Chicks and Chocolate." Can you say perfect? There was a fantastic chocolate mousse fondue, and 'to-die-for' Rolo chocolate brownies.

I'm going to put the brownie recipe in a different post.. but.. oh... my... goodness. They are divine. Since I have been doing fabulously with my WW points, I saved points and indulged in a small brownie and about two tablespoons of the fondue. 

Speaking of Weight Watchers. I have almost lost 10 pounds! By next week, I will be at the ten pound mark hopefully. I feel so great. My energy level is through the roof, and I am eating healthier than ever before. It's not the "I hate my life" healthy eating, but it is the "wow this food tastes fabulous" healthy eating. I don't skip breakfast anymore, I eat three small meals and have a few healthy snacks in between. Although I didn't drink soda before, I did drink Kool-Aid. Emphasis being on the "did" because I don't remember the last time we made a pitcher of Kool-Aid. 

It is definitely not a diet, but a lifestyle and I LOVE IT.

This post has gotten out of hand and kudos to you if you made it to the bottom. I woke up Saturday with a stellar sore throat, so I went to the walk-in clinic and sure enough I have strep-throat. I should be feeling better by this evening. (cross your fingers). Last night I fell asleep around 7:30 and slept until 7:30 this morning, so hopefully my body is working hard to get better!

Yesterday, I had this for lunch. Aren't you jealous? ;)

Rolo Brownies- Pampered Chef

Ingredients:
1 teaspoon vegetable oil
1 package (12 ounces) semi-sweet chocolate morsels, divided
1 package (18-21 ounces) brownie mix (plus ingredients to make cake-like brownies)
¾ cup packed brown sugar, divided
1 cup salted mixed nuts, divided
5 rolls (1.7 ounces each) milk chocolate-covered chewy caramels(Rolos), divided
(40 pieces total)
Vanilla ice cream (optional)


Preheat oven to 375°F. Lightly brush Large Bar Pan with oil using Chef’s Silicone Basting Brush. Chop 1½ cups of the chocolate morsels using Food Chopper. In Classic Batter Bowl, combine brownie mix, water, oil, eggs and ¼ cup of the brown sugar; mix well. Fold in chopped chocolate; pour batter into bar pan, spreading evenly using Small Mix ‘N Scraper®.

Chop nuts using Food Chopper. Combine half of the nuts and remaining ½ cup brown sugar; sprinkle evenly over brownie batter. Bake 20-22 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean.

Meanwhile, using Utility Knife, cut 16 caramels into quarters. Place remaining ½ cup chocolate morsels in Prep Bowl; microwave on HIGH 1 minute or until melted, stirring after each 20-second interval. Spoon melted chocolate into resealable plastic bag; set aside.

Remove bar pan from oven to Stackable Cooling Rack. Immediately press remaining 24 caramels evenly into brownie in four rows of six caramels each. Sprinkle quartered caramels and remaining nuts over brownies. Trim corner of chocolate-filled bag with Utility Knife; drizzle chocolate evenly over brownies. Cut into squares; serve warm using
Mini-Serving Spatula. Serve with ice cream, if desired.


Side Note: Although it makes mention to a lot of the PC products, you by no means need those products to make these brownies. They DO make it mucho easier, but baking/cooking/chopping/mixing can be done in any way you see fit!

Fa la la la la...

I have been pretty icky feeling since yesterday and am home today from school (which makes me pretty miserable), but it has been nice to stay cuddled up on my sofa!

Looking on the bright side, I got to catch up on laundry and start reading another book. I borrowed this book a few years ago, and still haven't read it, so it's time! The book is "One Hundred Years of Solitude"  by Gabriel García Márquez. I have started it many times, but never have had the gusto to finish... but I'm actually very invested in it this time around. I'll give you my full reaction when I finish on my Reading List!

I never did post about my amazing weekend vising my beautiful friend Audra, but what a nice time we had! I didn't make it down until Saturday afternoon, but we packed a ton of fun into less than 24 hours. She recently got a job teaching ESL in South Korea and leaves in about a month.

Congrats to you, darlin! You're amazing.

Her hometown in Hot Springs, so we walked around downtown Hot Springs, saw the bath houses, ate *delicious* sugar-free chocolate from a 'mom & pop' fudge shop and had tons of laughs in the process trying on funky hats. We even bought some spectacular music at 'Romancing the Stone.' Later that evening we had some ahhmazing pizza, played with her a-dorable nephew and sister-in-law and then Wii-ed it up. I'm not gonna lie- I'm pretty terrible at Wii, but it was a blast!

Bullfrogs and Butterflies??

Bug Bug!

I present thee...

Zoltara... Zoltar's wifey

I kinda failed at Wii Frisbee Golf.

Loves her!

Say what?

Anyhoodle, that's all folks!

Praxis.. Schmaxis!

 I PASSED!

So.. I can now officially check two of the four Praxis II series tests off of my 101 in 1001 challenge, because I PASSED baby! I already knew that I rocked the test from 11/3/09, but I just found out that I passed the Music Content Knowledge and Music Analysis from the Praxis II series from 1/12/09. Actually.. I kinda killed the Music Analysis portion.  

From the detailed score sheet, I saw that I only missed two points out of a total of 100- which kinda makes me really happy. I was worried about Content Knowledge just because just about anything under the sun that is music related can be on that test. I did okay, but I think if I took it a second time, I could rock it, too.

Anyhoodle, thanks for sharing in my excitement! I am over-the-moon right now. There are only two more tests left to take for the Praxis II, and I take them on March 13th. One is the PLT and the other is Musical Concepts and Processes (to do with teaching).

We have a snow day today, and I have done absolutely nothing, so I'm going to jog on the treadmill and then get cleaned up and go to the mall to use a few gift cards before they expire!

I want...

heat, and sunshine and rainbows and butterflies.. and all things happy and warm!

I miss the sun. I miss riding my bike! I realllllly miss going to the park and reading for hours and hours on end.

/stops complaining..


Back to warming my chilled fingers by the space heater at my feet.

B Strikes Again:

Today, as promised, B and I romped around the backyard for about an hour, and then built a snowman. (I did most of the building) but you know.. you can only do so much with four paws! B did; however, help eat one of the snowman's eyes.. *cough cough*

I must agree though.. those eyes are pretty tasty. Who can blame her??

Ugh! How can you resist this face.. seriously??

One eyed..

Can you tell? We're a little B obsessed.

She loves her football!

Isn't she perty?

Yesterday, this is basically what we did.. all day.

Caroline's post reminded me of a project I attempted a few months ago. About five years ago, I found a fab chair at an antique sale for $20.00 It's super cute, and I loved the style, but hated the fabric. Well FINALLY two months ago, I found some fabric 1/2 off and we had some extra chocolate paint and decided it was time to give this chair a face lift. I used to have some "before" pictures from back in the day, but since they were all stored on my lifeless external hard drive, they are no longer accessible. 

This chair was given to us by my brother. I love love love how comfortable it is, but white/tan in this household just doesn't fly. It is going to be much more difficult to re-upholster than the previous chair, so I'm waiting until I have enough time/patience/confidence to take this one on! I can tell it will be really snazzy in a fun print and some paint!

For now, that's about it! I am about to go pick up a few straggler items that I forgot at Wal-Mart last night.

Then we are purchasing one of these:

so that we can get good ol' ABC, NBC! I can't wait to be able to watch 'Wheel of Fortune' and 'America's Funniest Home Videos' again! 

It's the little things..