American Idol Light-Up Cake Topper

You can use the cake topper as a prize to the best singer after of course polishing off the yummy cake!

Post from: Blisstree

American Idol Party Theme

The market just opened for the season. Years ago we were just one of a few folks who headed out there every Saturday, but it’s since become hugely popular here. Which is a good thing for the farmers.

Today we bought a bunch of strawberries, because Truman would choose to eat strawberries over any other food on earth. We also bought tomatoes from one of the few vendors who had ripe ones to choose from. Then we went home and made Ina Garten’s Greek Gazpacho for dinner.

Our Publix didn’t have Sacramento tomatoes so V8 had to do (oh hush, Ina), and I did without the olives because I have an aversion. I also used panko instead of day-old bread just because I had it on hand. And I love panko. 

I plopped a generous hunk of nice goat cheese over the top, which was one thing my old recipe didn’t call for.It was to-die-for. Even Truman devoured it. Well, he mostly devoured the toasted bread crisps I served with it. Then we paired it with a nice bottle of Cotes du Rhone.

For dessert we had a generous serving of Adam Lambert performing with Rick’s childhood favorite band Kiss – DVR’d from Wednesday night’s awesome American Idol finale. Sigh…makes me wonder how the rest of the world is faring this Memorial Day weekend.

Photos, JWJourney

Post from: Blisstree

Farmers Markets a Sign of Summer

Today I slept until 7:30 a.m., ate two cinnamon rolls, got a massage and read People magazine on the beach until my skin was scorched. I caught American Idol’s Adam Lambert’s version of U2’s One on my iPhone (heart) while poolside and sat in a hot tub drinking fru-fru festive drinks. Now, with wine in hand, our biggest decision is where to go for dinner. We have reservations at three different restaurants. Where should we go? Boraggo’s, Café 30-A or Onano?

photo, JWJourney

Post from: Blisstree

Life’s a Beach

Easter Gnome: gay or straight?

Rick fills me in. Lambert is that effeminate guy who did a smack-down incredible but controversial rendition of Johnny Cash’s Ring of Fire a few weeks back. Because I hadn’t watched the show, I was not familiar with his music (Rick has to stay up on it since he has to discuss each week’s episode on his morning snow) so I turned over to YouTube. I love-loved Ring of Fire but Lambert’s version of Tears for Fears’ Mad World wrapped my inner child in a blanket of warm, softened butter. I want to wear that song like a Pashmina, it is so breathlessly beautiful.

And this insane fuss about “What if he is gay?” Who. Cares.

Which brings me to the Easter Gnome.

Rick’s folks came to town yesterday for Easter lunch and brought Truman a bag of goodies. In it was a gnome blowing a kiss that MIL suggested he could put in our garden. (I’m thinking a hawk might fly off with it in the next week or so if we’re lucky … or crafty.) As Truman pulls the gnome out of the gift bag, my sweet MIL whispers to me that she and FIL poured through the encyclopedias at their house to make sure that gnomes were not a sign of “gayness.” FIL apparently had the notion, and giving such a gift would crack their strong Southern Baptist foundation. I told her I had never heard of such, but even so, who cares? Not me.

Let’s say Truman some how sprouts up through our family tree and collects genes from among the branches of those who lived (or hid) the alternative lifestyle before us, then so be it. I will love him and accept him, always and forever. As long as he is happy, that’s all that should matter. 

(photo, JWJourney)

Post from: Blisstree

Idol’s Adam Lambert and the Easter Gnome

Personally, I don’t think there’s anything harsh.  In fact, I have to agree with this article on Fox - that if anything, the parents are harsh and/or disturbing.

I love my children more than anything!  But I’m not going to tell them they should rush off and audition for American Idol if a cow going to slaughter carries a better tune.

Furthermore, what’s with some of these people who audition?  There IS such a thing as a recorder and there is such a thing as recording yourself singing to test the waters prior to making such a huge commitment or mistake like going to American Idol.

I believe I was seven-years-old when I got my first tape recorder – I was so excited that I belted out the Tanya Tucker tune Delta Dawn.  It also didn’t take long for me to realize I couldn’t carry a tune in a bucket.  I never sang again.

Parents who stand behind their children, talk them up, tell them they ooze with talent when they obviously don’t are just setting their children up for earth shattering heartbreak.

Isn’t it better that YOU be honest with your kid then to have them humiliated on national television AND on the most watched show going?

Post from: Blisstree

Disturbing Parenting – American Idol Style