Frustrations, They Are All I've Got

I had to attend a Safe Child workshop yesterday so I can continue to be a lector in my church. It is the biggest crock of BS I've ever been put through.

I have to have a background check to get up and read in church?

Seriously?

I realize that we all need to be aware that things can happen...I can even stomach the workshop, but to have to have clearance to read, be a Eucharistic minister, or...get this..and usher, I'm sorry, that is just bullshit.

And the workshop is painful to deal with. You have to watch 2 videos where victims speak of their experiences and so do the predators.

OMG!!!

I left that workshop with a heavy heart.

See, we had a pastor be accused of some wrongdoing, (not that any of us were told what the allegations were), and seeing the stats that say less than 5% of the accusers are lying hit home.

Why?

Because I didn't want to believe this pastor could have done something like this. He was good to our family. I have always considered him a friend.

This meeting really hit me hard. In fact, it won't leave my head.

All that aside, I am left to wonder if members of other religions have to jump through this many hoops just to volunteer at mass?

Technology Hates Me

The perfect computer would have about 12 USB ports.

With all the gadgets that need plugged in, either for charging or for data transfer you would think that desktops and laptops would have more slots for USBs, but no.

I have an external hard drive, my keyboard and mouse, my printer and at any given time, an ipod, a zen, or a nook connected for some reason or another. I hate when more than one gadget needs charging at the same time.

The thought of buying additional ports, that get plugged into one of the existing ports makes me want to scream almost as much as buying ink for my printer.

Why is it so hard to create a device that has enough slots for all of the damn gadgets that they encourage us to buy?

The Wench Makes Cookies

Hannukah Apricot Cookies

Recipe taken from A Quilter's Christmas Cookbook

2 2/3 c of flour
1 c (2 sticks) butter
8 oz package of softened cream cheese
4 oz apricot preserves

1 Cut butter into flour. Stir in softened cream cheese
2. On floured board, roll out dough to 1/4 inch thickness. Cut with a 2-3" diameter glass
Arrange on ungreased cookie sheet. Dab the center of each cookie with preserves
3. Bake @ 350 for 12 minutes.

As Mr. Food used to say...Oooo it's so good!

5 Things You Must Do On Thanksgiving

1. Watch at least 5 minutes of the Macy's Parade.
2. Consume large quanities of food, preferrably stuffing and mash potatoes...a little bit of turkey or tofurky works too.
3. Nap.
4. Pretend to care or go totally nuts over whatever football game is on...usually when you are sitting down to eat.
5. Give thanks!

What things are on your must do list for Turkey Day?

Never Fail Nut Roll

This basic, easy recipe for nut rolls came from Arlene Williams, who does a fabulous cooking show on Cornerstone Television. I don't make my own nut filling though, I use the Bakers filling that you can get at any store.

Ingredients
5 Tablespoon Sugar
2 beaten eggs
3 Tablespoon butter
1 cup sour cream
1/8 tsp baking soda
1 1/2 tsp salt
1 large cake yeast crumbled
3 cups of flour

In a large saucepan over medium heat, bring sour cream to a boil. Remove from heat. Add 3 tablespoons butter, 5 tablespoons, sugar and salt and stir until well blended. Cool to lukewarm.

Add 2 eggs, crumbled yeast and stir until yeast is dissolved. Using a spoon, mix in flour until a dough forms.

Turn out onto a floured board. Knead lightly a few minutes to form a smooth ball. Cover and let rest 5 minutes.

Divide dough into 3 equal portions. Roll dough ball out on floured surface 1/4 inch thick. Spread with filling , roll up jelly roll fashion. Pinch seam to secure and tuck ends in. Place on a well greased 9 x 13 inch pan. Repeat with rest of dough. Let rise 1 1/2 hours, covered with clean cloth, in a warm draft free place.

When ready to bake, preheat oven to 350 degrees. Bake uncovered 35 minutes.

Sexy Songs

I'm a bit of an oddball when it comes to music, so when it comes to "sexy" songs I'm sure my list would have a good many of you shaking your head, or at least wondering "who the hell are these people."

What brought on this topic?

I pulled out some of my Elvis Costello CDs recently and the song "Inch By Inch" was on one of them. That is one of the many Elvis Costello songs that always leaves me feeling a bit hot and bothered. It is more than just the lyrics...its the music...and Elvis' unique voice.

Another song that always gets me is Man Out Of Time



Another odd song that really gets me going is Paul McCartney's Hi Hi Hi



So what are some of the songs that you consider sexy?

Rushing Things

I love Christmas, but isn't it a bit ridiculous hearing holiday songs and seeing Christmas commercials way before Thanksgiving?

Couldn't we get through one holiday first?

It is really making me bitter towards Christmas.

I don't have much in the way of money this year for presents, and this early push to spend more is really irksome.

Please tell me I'm not the only one annoyed by all of this?

A Wenches Rant About The Penn State Abuse Scandal

Dear PSU students,

How can you possibly be sad about the firing of JoPa? Yes, he was a fabulous coach, but the man hid the fact that Sandusky was abusing children from the authorities. HE DID NOTHING!! That is wrong. That is what cost him his job.

What annoys me is that other asshat that saw it happen, that only went to him with the allegation, when he WITNESSED the abuse! The fact that that little asshat is only on administrative leave sickens me.

Actually the whole thing sickens me. Why is football placed higher than the lives and well-being of children?

I guess it is the whole issue that sports come before education. Is it any wonder that we are failing as a nation?

PSU students....you can love your former coach, but please think of kids that were harmed because that beloved man, did nothing to stop the harm...

Sincerely,

A rattled wench

Music Review: Jann Arden - Uncover Me

Jann Arden is one of Canada's finest singer/songwriter, which makes us wonder why she's going down the "covers album" road again. They answer is probably because, she can sing anything well, and let's face it...even though covers albums are a bit stale, we all love a good cover.

Jann delivers. One of the things that makes Uncover Me 2 different, is that Jann doesn't go for standards. She goes for hits from across the ages, Que Sara Sara from the 50s, Only The Lonely from the 80s  and Dreams from the 70s.

Jann doesn't seek to change the songs with her recordings, but she does bring her special sound to each song. Mr. McLennen, is a song by the country band SheDaisy. Their as yet unreleased album, A Story To Tell, was produced by Arden. When you listen to Jann sing the song, you can here the country vibe ringing through.

Jann gives a go at "You Don't Own Me." She brings a soulfulness to the song, rather than going the girl power route. Its a different twist, but by the end of the song there is some of the traditional "You Don't Own Me," angst shining through.

Surprisingly her cover of Fleetwood Mac's classic, Dreams is the strongest cover on the album. Arden seems to be channeling Stevie Nicks, because there are times when she almost sounds like her.

Jann has delivered a strong set of songs here. If you loved Uncover Me, you'll want to add this one to your collection. If you love great cover songs...you'll probably want to grab this too. Definitely one of the year's better listens

TV Review: Once Upon A Time

ONCE UPON A TIME - From the inventive minds of "Lost" executive producers Adam Horowitz and Edward Kitsis comes a bold new imagining of the world, where fairy tales and the modern-day are about to collide. "Once Upon a Time" stars Ginnifer Goodwin ("Big Love") as Snow White/Sister Mary Margaret, Jennifer Morrison ("House MD") as Emma Swan, Robert Carlyle ("The Full Monty," "Trainspotting," "SGU Stargate Universe") as Rumplestiltskin/Mr. Gold, Lana Parrilla as Evil Queen/Regina, Jamie Dornan as Sheriff Graham, Jared Gilmore ("Mad Men") as Henry, Josh Dallas as Prince Charming/John Doe and Raphael Sbarge as Jiminy Cricket/Archie. "Once Upon a Time" was written by Edward Kitsis and Adam Horowitz, who are also executive producers, along with Steve Pearlman (ABC's "V"). The pilot is directed and executive-produced by Mark Mylod ("Entourage"). "Once Upon a Time" is from ABC Studios. (ABC/JACK ROWAND) GINNIFER GOODWIN, JOSH DALLAS

If there is one crazy show to watch this season, Once Upon A Time is it. I can't pinpoint what it is about this that really pulls you in to watch more and more, but there is something there. I hope it succeeds, because it is so unusual, almost as unusual as Lost, who the executive producers also created.

The cast is stunning with Jennifer Morrison, who most of us know from House, as Snow White/Sister Mary Margaret. With short hair as Mary Margaret, she's really unrecognizable.

I really am interested in seeing how long they can keep this show going. What is the public's interest in fairy tales that try to become part of reality?

Well, it is a Sunday show, so the public doesn't have to be too interested to keep it going, and I would love to see it last more than 6 episodes. The scenery is fantastic, as are the costumes when the show goes into "fairytale land."

If you haven't given this show a shot, I suggest that you do, it is probably one of the most original things on right now.

Album Review: The Bangles - Sweetheart Of The Sun

The Bangles are making a return to the music scene. Their last album Doll Revolution was released in 2003. It has been a long eight years, but once you listen to Sweetheart Of The Sun you’ll know the girls are back and true to their form, albeit less popalicious than they were in the 80s.

What the girls bring to the table is that fantastic girl group 60s sound. This album has a heavy psychedelic sound, very reminiscent of their third album Everything only with songs that are more mature. The vocals are still shared between the three ladies, Michael Steel left the band in 2005, leaving Susannah Hoffs and Vicki and Debbi Peterson to soldier on.

This album is like a trip back to the “Summer of Love,” especially on songs like “Mesmerized.” The guitars are jangling and trippy. The girls harmonize perfectly, which contributes to that old school girl group feel. The album’s opener “Anna Lee (Sweetheart of the Sun)” sounds like it should have been a hit in the mid 60s.
The 60s vibe is there through all the tracks on Sweetheart of the Sun. That might be the one thing that keeps the album from being fantastic. Sure these are some great retro pop songs, but when you think of The Bangles, you think of fun pop music like “Walk Like An Egyptian” or stellar love songs like “Manic Monday” and “Eternal Flame.” There’s nothing of that caliber on Sweetheart, but there are a few songs that make a valiant effort. “Open My Eyes,” is a super fun rocker, which will remind some fans of “In My Room,” from Everything. It was penned by rocker Todd Rundgren. It has the same psychedelic harmonies and trippy guitar.


“Through Your Eyes,” is a George Harrison-esque ballad. It’s Susannah’s shining moment. She’s always done superb ballads, and this one is no different. Debbi handles vocals on “Circles In The Sky.” Her vocals are deep and mellow.


This album marks the band’s 30th anniversary and it is clear that they still have it. Though the kitschy pop songs that scored them many hits in the 80s is definitely not present on Sweetheart Of The Sun, the finely polished pop gems found here will definitely please old and new fans.

Acoustic Goodness

Sunday Girl was my favorite song from Erasure's last CD.  I love all the bleeps and bloops but I was totally surprised at how great it sounds acoustic...

Watch and listen

Musical Mondays: Ashton Sheperd - Where Country Grows

Ashton Sheperd's latest offering Where Country Grows is a "real" country album. Country has been flooded with more pop sounding music lately and Ms. Sheperd doesn't really play that way.

Her songs have that ole "My dog died, my car broke down, and my guy is cheatin' on me." She also sings it with a twang.

The lead single is "Look It Up" a cover, originally done by Jasmine Rae.  Ashton gives some hell to a cheater. The follow up single is the title track. It's a bit slower, but it is a true country anthem, that is great for blasting on sunny days.

Where Country Grows is infused with some humor too. "More Cows Then People," is one of those songs. It has a great fiddle and an infectious melody. How can lyrics like

"Ain't no noise, no red lights

Ain't no buildings messin' up my moonlight
Ain't no doubt, why I live out where there's more cows than people"

not bring a smile to your face?

The token sappy ballad is "I'm Just A Woman." It isn't the best ballad, and it is a trifle depressing, but it does show that Ashton can sing a sad sad song with the best of them. It also makes listeners glad for songs like "Beer On A Boat," which leave you smiling.

Ashton's music is all about fun. This album is 10 songs of good country. It is definitely worth a listen or two.

Awesome Steak In A Crock Recipe

This recipe came from the Fix It And Forget It Entertaining Cookbook.

It is super easy.

I placed 4 frozen steaks in the crock.

Seasoned with salt and pepper

Then put 1 cup of brown sugar and 1 cup of ketchup over it.

Put the crock on high for 3 hours and then low for another 3 hours.

The result was an incredible bbq steak that you didn't even have to cut!

Mmmmm good. I want to try the sauce with country style ribs next

Movie Review: Inkheart

I bought Inkheart at Five Below several weeks back, because I love Brendan Fraser and I've wanted to see this movie since it came out in 2009.

I had heard bad things about it but I was prepared to enjoy the eye candy and nothing else.

After watching, I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised in the film, and I really want to read the trilogy. I've heard the film doesn't do the book justice, but if you've not read Inkheart, then give the movie a go. It really is a nice fantasy piece revolving around a family of book lovers.

Brendan Fraser was a great Mort, who could read characters out of books...we later learn his daughter, Meggie shares the ability...they both are "Silvertongues."

Helen Mirren as Elinor is another fabulous character. She's an obsessive old bookworm.

My favorite character is Dustfinger (Paul Bettany), a character from Inkheart that Mort had read out of the book, who was trying to get back into the book.

I really loved the concept and the filmography was stunning especially towards the end when the darker characters from the book appear. The Shadow is really amazing looking. I also loved how Meg read out Toto from The Wizard Of Oz.

If you haven't read the book and you are looking for a good family film. It deserves far more credit than it received. Oh and Brendan and Paul are really easy on the eyes!

Films On Friday

There's so much buzz going around the new version of Footloose. I can't really understand why. I really think that it show a great lack of creativity in Hollywood.

There are way too many remakes going on both on the big screen and the small screen.

It is really pathetic.

Then there's the possiblity of a Dirty Dancing remake? That somehow seems sacriligious.

Why do people want to mess with things that are so well loved.

Granted, some remakes are good. Father of the Bride was done really well, so was Parent Trap (though not as good as the original)...and I'll even give props to Ocean's Eleven..but the for the most part...remakes are annoying. (Even more so in TV)

What are some of your likes and dislikes about remakes in films? Are there any you'd like to see remade?

Must See TV For The Fall

The new season has started and there are so many new shows to watch, but which ones are worth your time?

Here are a few that this wench is getting really excited about.

Two Broke Girls airs CBS Mondays @ 8:30


From the official site:

2 BROKE GIRLS is a comedy about two young women waitressing at a greasy spoon diner who strike up an unlikely friendship in the hopes of launching a successful business - if only they can raise the cash. Sassy, streetwise Max Black works two jobs just to get by, one of which is waiting tables during the night shift at the retro-hip Williamsburg Diner. Sophisticated Caroline Channing is an uptown trust fund princess who's having a run of bad luck that forces her to reluctantly give waitressing a shot. At first, Max sees Caroline as yet another in a long line of inept servers she must cover for, but she's surprised to find that Caroline has as much substance as she does style. When Caroline discovers Max's knack for baking amazing cupcakes, she sees a lucrative future for them, but first they need to raise the start-up money. While they save their tips, they'll stay at the restaurant, working with Oleg, an overly flirtatious Russian cook; Earl, a 75-year-old kool-kat cashier; and Han Lee, the new, eager-to-please owner of the diner. Working together, these two broke girls living in one expensive city might just find the perfect recipe for their big break. 


Why you should watch?  

Max is so snarky you have to love her. Caroline is not the typical dumb blonde. Believe it or not she breaks out of that mold and is smart. These two girls make for an awesome show and when you add the creepy yet funny Oleg in the show is really great. I hope this one lasts...It is perfect between the two hits How I Met You Mother and Two and a Half Men. (BTW...Ashton sucks!)

Suburgatory airs Wednesdays @ 8:30 on ABC

From the official site:

Single father George Altman is doing his best to raise his sixteen-year-old daughter Tessa in the big city. When he discovers a box of condoms in her bedroom, though, he decides the time has come to move her to a more wholesome and nurturing environment: the suburbs.

But behind the beautiful homes and perfect lawns lurk the Franken-moms, spray tans, nose jobs, and Red Bull-guzzling teens who have nothing in common with Tessa. It’s a whole new world, one that makes George wonder if they haven’t jumped out of the frying pan and into the fire.

With the help of suburbanites like old college friend Noah, flirty Alpha mom Dallas and awkward classmate Lisa, George and Tessa slowly learn to navigate the pitfalls of suburban life. With time, they might even find that it isn’t so bad. Once you get past the plastic smell.


Why you should watch:

It is a smart funny family comedy that isn't Disney sweet. It also keeps the sexual innuendo to a minimum, which is pretty hard to do on sitcoms these days. It is a perfect fit for most of ABC's family shows on Wednesday nights. It is a bit more grown up then The Middle but not as cutting edge as Modern Family, but still pretty damn fun to watch.

Unforgettable airs on CBS Tuesday @ 10:00

From the official site :

UNFORGETTABLE stars Poppy Montgomery as Carrie Wells, an enigmatic former police detective with a rare condition that makes her memory so flawless that every place, every conversation, every moment of joy and every heartbreak is forever embedded in her mind. It's not just that she doesn't forget anything - she can't; except for one thing: the details that would help solve her sister's long-ago murder. Carrie has tried to put her past behind her, but she's unexpectedly reunited with her ex-boyfriend and partner, NYPD Detective Al Burns (Dylan Walsh), when she consults on a homicide case. His squad includes Det. Mike Costello (Michael Gaston), Al's right-hand man; Detective Roe Saunders (Kevin Rankin), the junior member of the team; and Detective Nina Inara (Daya Vaidya), a sassy, street-smart cop. Being back on the job after a break feels surprisingly right for Carrie. Despite her conflicted feelings for Al, she decides to permanently join his unit as a detective solving homicides - most notably, the unsolved murder of her sister. All she needs to do is remember. Ed Redlich, John Bellucci, Sarah Timberman and Carl Beverly are executive producers for Sony Television Studios in association with CBS Television Studios.

Why you should watch:

This isn't your typical cop/detective drama. Poppy Montgomery rocks as Carrie Wells. It is really hard to pinpoint why this show is so awesome, but it is. Of course anything is better than more rehashed Law and Order.



  

Musical Mondays: Erasure - Tomorrow's World

There are very few constants in this world. Good Erasure CDs were one of them, until now.

I'm not sure when things started to change for this band, but Erasure were one of those artists that put out quality music even when they were recording potboilers (ie: Erasure)

Maybe it is because 2007's Light At The End Of The World was so good, a return to form, that Tomorrow's World feels like a bit of a let down. I'm not saying that the album is bad, Erasure is really not capable of putting out an album that is unlistenable, but they have put out an album that is totally uninspired.
Every Erasure album has one song that is super catchy and fun. The Erasure ear worm is something that fans look forward to...nay yearn for witch each new CD. The closest we come to that is "Then I Go Twisting."

It is hard to pinpoint what is lacking in this album. Andy is in fine voice, as always. Vince delivers fun bleeps, bloops and other assorted fun sounds that make you want to get up and move. It all feels a bit forced though.

What is notably absent in Tomorrow's World is fun.  Erasure have recorded breakup songs before, but this CD feels SERIOUS, and Erasure isn't a band that does serious.

The album's lead single "When I Start To (Break It All Down)" sounds like a throw back from their self titled CD from 1995. "You've Got To Save Me Right Now," is Erasure doing something close to Motown. It proves that Andy Bell can sing anything that he puts his mind to, but the song just doesn't feel like Erasure. Maybe this is something he couldn't fit on his last solo album?

This album feels totally off. The only song close to feeling like the happy bouncy Erasure that we know and love is the album's opener, "Be With You." If only the rest of the album could have been as fun as that one.

Get back in the studio guys, we know you can do better than this, a whole lot better.

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Restaurant Review: Old Mexico Belle Vernon

Foodie Beware!

Old Mexico in Belle Vernon was definitely not ready to open for business. Their staff is incompetent; slow service and not enough staff for a Sunday afternoon.

Word to owners. Belle Vernon is actually a high traffic area on weekends. Expect business!

When I arrived to pick up my fajitas for two at 4:30, the place was about 80 % full, but you couldn't find a member of the wait staff anywhere.

While I was waiting I noticed the following:

1. One large table hadn't received silverware.
2. Several parties left because they weren't going to wait for inept staff.
3. One waitress was handling way too many duties and was frazzled beyond belief

I waited an additional 20 minutes for my fajitas and when I opened the boxes, there were no wraps! What's the point of fajitas when you have no tortillas to put the meat in. I also ordered a combo of steak and chicken and I only got steak.

It is a good thing that the steak was good.

The food was OK, but after having eaten at La Fiesta in Charleroi for many years, this was sub par.

Oh and the restaurant placed coupons in the clipper magazine that they wouldn't honor for takeout, even after I waited over 40 minutes for my food, and there was nothing on the coupon indicating that the coupons were for dine in only.

I've heard good things about the location in Washington PA, but this no location isn't ready for the business it can expect. There are no Mexican or Tex-Mex places in the Mon Valley. If they want to build a customer base, they better learn how to serve the customers there.

It will be a long time before I try Old Mexico again.

Restaurant Review: Little Bamboo

It has been years since I've eaten at Little Bamboo in Belle Vernon, PA. The reasons have never been about the quality of the food served there. Every town in the mon valley has a Chinese restaurant and driving there for lunch on Saturday just doesn't usually work for me. Plus most of the smaller, less fancy places offer dinner specials, Little Bamboo does not.

Little Bamboo is an Asian restaurant specializing in Chinese and Japanese cuisine. Sushi lovers will be happy, because they won't have to travel out of the Valley to get their not-cooked fish fix.

There's a lot to be said about Little Bamboo.

1. The service is always good, even when the place is busy.

2. Of all the restaurants that are sit down/not buffet style, Little Bamboo has the best quality food. It is hands down one of the best Chinese restaurants in the Valley.

3. The steamed dumplings are a must order no matter when you eat there. OMG they are so good!!

4. The chef really knows how to chop veggies. You will never find huge pieces of peppers etc at Bamboo. The veggies are always nicely chopped, except in dishes that demand bigger pieces, such as pepper steak.

5. When they say a dish is spicy, believe them. The Kung Pao chicken at Bamboo is one of the spiciests I've had in ages. This is another must order if you like some heat in your meal.

6. The tea is absolutely fab!