Skor Pudding Pies

Another Christmas only decadent pie that I make....

It for the love of all things Skor...cause it's so much more than just an ordinary chocolate bar.

Skor Pudding Pie

1 pie crust (make your own or pre-made frozen kind)
2 Skor Bars
1 package Shirriff pudding (the kind you have to cook not instant)
3 tablespoons crushed graham cracker crumbs

Bake the pie crust let it cook down for at least 15 minutes.
Smash up 2 Skor bars into very tiny pieces and sprinkle at the bottom of the pie crust (reserve a 2 tablespoons)
Sprinkle with layer of crushed graham cracker crumbs
Top with pudding. I use chocolate pudding but you can use any flavour. (I use the Shirriff pudding that you have to cook)
After letting it sit for about 5 minutes sprinkle the top with remaining Skor bits.
And refrigerate for at least 2 hours.

Enjoy

Homemade Crunchy Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars

Only make these once a year....they are sinfully decadent.

I initially came across this recipe in thestar.com but I've since modified it.

Homemade Crunchy Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars

2 cups chocolate chips

2 tbsp unsalted butter

2 cups peanut butter (crunchy or smooth)

3 cups Rice Krispies cereal

1/2 large Toblerone bar

1 cup crushed graham crackers

Spray baking spray on 9 x 6-inch baking dish and line with parchment paper.

Place 1 cup chocolate chips and 1 tablespoon butter in double boiler and melt over low heat, stirring constantly. Stir in 1/2 cup peanut butter. Stir in cereal until well blended.

Place mixture into prepared pan. Press down into even layer. Place in fridge.

After 10 minutes take out of fridge and take 1 cup of peanut butter and spread evenly over mixture with spatula. Place back in fridge.

After 10 minutes take out of fridge and evenly spread out 1 cup crushed graham cracker crumbs. Return to fridge.

Melt 1 tablespoon butter in double boiler. Stir in remaining cup of chocolate chips, 1/2 cup of peanut butter and 1/2 large Toblerone bar until smooth. If too thick add another tablespoon of unsalted butter (or milk works too). Pour evenly over prepared base. Smooth out top with spatula.

Cover and refrigerate at least 60 minutes.

Remove from pan. Cut into bars. Store in airtight container.

These are very sweet so cut into small bars.

Enjoy.

Laid back Friday Playlist

Filmography 2010

Now grant it I haven't been to the movie theater since the 'Wedding Crashers' - damn children screwing up my movie viewing schedule...but after seeing this I feel like I'm all caught up.

It's a movie mash-up at it's best.

YouTube Video Chronicling The Year In Film:

genrocks | December 13, 2010 |
This year's movies have legitimately transformed my idea of what is creatively possible. To commemorate, I've remixed 270 of them into one giant ass video.

Music:
1. Ratatat - Nostrand - http://tinyurl.com/2ahhhj9
2. Kanye West - Power - http://tinyurl.com/27mpo83
3. Rooney - Not In My House - http://tinyurl.com/23vpakx
4. Apartment - Fall Into Place - http://tinyurl.com/2fnsnkc
5. Civil Twilight - Letters from the Sky - http://tinyurl.com/2fwrlys
6. SUNBEARS! - Little Baby Pines - http://tinyurl.com/26d9brn

Films in order of appearance: http://tinyurl.com/2g3p6bs

Note: My film selection process was fairly open; anything that was either produced or distributed in 2010 was fair game (I also consulted this Wikipedia entry). This is why some movies are labelled 2009 or 2011 on IMDB. Also, this by no means constitutes a comprehensive list of films that came out in 2010. That would have been exhausting.

Brilliant - Singer/Songwriter Meets A Suit

Love, love this. Reminds me of Theory Of A Nickelfault.

UK X Factor Winner - Matt Cardle

When We Collide is the debut single from Matt Cardle, the winner of the latest UK X Factor.

The 27-year-old former painter-decorator from Essex is headed to topping this week's UK singles chart after selling 112,000 copies on its first day of release.

Brilliant.



(When We Collide is a cover of a track by Scottish rock trio Biffy Clyro, originally titled Many Of Horror (When We Collide).

[info: MTV News UK]

With Or Without You

I'm a sucker for brilliant covers....this one by Boyce Avenue & Kina Grannis...covering U2's 'With Or Without You'.

The single is available on iTunes.

Mike Tomkins

Love.

Rihanna - Only Girl - A Capella Cover - Just Voice and Mouth - Mike Tompkins FEAT. SHAD.

15 Characters

Taken from Nancy Slater Hunt

Don't take too long to think about it. Fifteen fictional characters (television, films, plays, books) who've influenced you and that will always stick with you. 

List the first fifteen you can recall in no more than fifteen minutes. These are in no particular order.

(Don't know about the influence part, but these characters have stuck with me)...

1. Margaret - 'Are You There God It's Me Margaret' by Judy Blume

2. Duckie - Pretty In Pink

3. Jake Ryan - 16 Candles

4. Jill Brenner - 'Blubber' by Judy Blume

5.  Ferris Buller - Ferris Bueller's Day Off

6. Watts - Some Kind Of Wonderful

7. Angela Chase - My So Called Life

8. Dylan McKay - Beverly Hills 90210

9. William Miller - Almost Famous

10. The Wicked Witch of the West - Wizard Of Oz

11. Holly Golightly - Breakfast At Tiffany's

12. John Munch - Homicide Life On The Streets

13. Mr. Dress Up

14. Mister Rogers

15. John Bender - The Breakfast Club

Authors

Copied from Samantha Corber Sirk

The Rules: Don't take too long to think about it. Fifteen authors (poets included) who've influenced you and that will always stick with you.
List the first fifteen you can recall.

Judy Blume
David Halberstam
Mordecai Richler
Beverly Cleary
George Orwell
Frank McCourt
Maeve Binchy
Leon Bing
Carol Shields
V. C. Andrews
Wally Lamb
Margaret Atwood
Stephen King
Sophie Kinsella
Alice Munro

Le iPod Shuffle

Copied from Brad MacLachlan
First rule - be honest! Don't keep shuffling forward for "cooler" songs. This is a 'getting to know you' exercise. Once you've been tagged...

(1) Turn on your MP3 player or music player on your computer. (If you don't know how to do this, smack yourself in the head with your MP3 player or computer)
(2) Go to SHUFFLE mode
(3) Write down the first 20 songs that come up - title and artist and whatever they make you think of. NO editing/cheating, please

1. Seabird - Trust  (train rides to Toronto...just me, a book and my iPod on the train...complete bliss)
2. Pearl Jam - Ten (Carleton University - copious amounts of coffee at Roosters)
3. Norah Jones - Chasing Pirates (Santigold & Snotty Remix) (photo shoot with Michelle Valberg)
4. The Script - If You See Kay (that I really need to go to the UK and explore the sites and sounds)
5. U2 - Beautiful Day (working at my desk, doing the music thing at Kiss FM)
6. Library Voices - Drinking Games (Canadian Music Week - good times)
7. Hinder - Without You (those boys from days gone by)
8. Foo Fighters - Wheels (working at Xfm...and how much fun it truly was)
9. Marie Digby - Beauty In Walking Away (turning 30...and a sudden feeling of self empowerment that came with it...leaving the past behind)
10. Meaghan Smith - I Know (the wedding of one Daughter of Joy & Gum Man)
11. Elliot Smith - Miss Misery (a former beauty queen I used to know)
12. Daughtry - Get Me Through This (a certain rock star boy I knew in my 20s)
13. Michael Jackson - P.Y.T (dancing in the kitchen for no reason at all)
14. Graham Colton Band - Killing Me (road trip to Montreal with Jackass to see Kelly Clarkson)
15. Garrison Starr - Beautiful In Los Angeles (that I still need to visit that crazy city)
16. Jon Foreman - A Mirror Is Harder To Hold (a good friend...who is my mirror cause she tells me how it is)
17. U2 - All Because Of You (being pregnant with my first and finally seeing the band I love...it was bliss)
18. Vampire Weekend - Horchata (road trip to Boston with CeCe, Tanya & Natasha)
19. Two Door Cinema Club - Something Good Can Work (mindless drives....driving just to drive)
20. Justin Timberlake, Matt Morris & Charlie Sexton - Hallelujah (Haiti)

My Facebook Status: 2010 A Year in Review

CNN Hero: Narayanan Krishnan

So incredibly inspiring. The belief in this concept is simple - that we are entitled to human dignity....even the forgotten ones.

It's a moment of reflection that we all need - we all can do something and feel as Narayanan says 'feel the joy of giving'.



A hero indeed.

Michael Bublé & Sam

A mother will do anything for son to see his dream come true....even interrupting a Michael Bublé concert.

Michael's reaction is priceless and makes me love him even that much more.

Most amusing....

The Royal Ottawa Foundation For Mental Health Youth Video Contest

The Royal Ottawa Foundation for Mental Health has launched The Youth Anti-Stigma Video Contest, sponsored by Bell. Winning videos (in French and English) will be premiered at the Gala in March!

The Royal Ottawa Foundation For Mental Health Youth Video Contest Mental Illness Tell Your Story • Make a Video • End Stigma

Must be between the ages of 12 - 21.

Contest Deadline: Feb. 9, 2011 Visit youknowwhoiam.com to enter and for contest rules. Conditions apply.

First prize: $2500 Second prize: $1000

We want you to tell us your story about your connection with Mental Health. Has Mental Illness affected one of your friends or family? Have you yourself been affected?

Make a video and send us the link. If your video is chosen by the judges you could win prizes of $2500 or $1000. Enter as a group (max 4 people) or an individual.

Your 60 second video COULD:

promote a call to action in the fight against stigma

talk about your connection to someone who is affected by mental illness

share how mental illness has affected you

tell how you (or your friends) have made a difference in mental health community

encourage your friends and family to get involved in the fight against stigma

give your own definition of mental illness

Happy Thanksgiving...

To my friends & family south of the border....Happy Thanksgiving.

Gobble. Gobble.

Enjoy your meal.

TurBaconEpic Thanksgiving - Epic Meal Time

Thursday Funnies

Nominate BOB-fm's Stuntman Stu to co-host with Kelly Ripa

My husband is trying to get as many nominations as possible for this contest...it would be a total dream come true for him. Like huge.

Plus he's promised that I could go with him and I could pick any pair of shoes I wanted...I am currently examining all possible shoe options if this dream of his ever materializes.

So here are the details:

Regis & Kelly Men of Radio Co-Host for a Day Search

CLICK HERE to nominate Stuntman Stu to guest co-host with Kelly for a day!

Then you'll be asked for some info:

Link to radio station website:

http://939bobfm.com/

Radio station call letters CKKL

Link to broadcaster's bio:

http://senators.nhl.com/club/page.htm?id=49200

Link to video of broadcaster:

http://www.youtube.com/user/stuntmanstu1000
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zki5LIfq2OA


For the love of shoes please nominate him...and because it would totally be his dream come true.

C is for Cookie

Cookie Monster Auditions for Saturday Night Live...

I hope he gets the gig...it would be epic.

Enerjive

I know a lot of people who have to follow a Glueten free diet....

There is a great company in Ottawa (not available in stores yet...you have to buy off their website) that sells protein energy crunch breads, granolas, pastas and kids nut free snacks...

Their name? Enerjive

Their website is www.enerjive.com

I tried their chocolate protein energy crunch....damn good....for real.

Their products are 1000% free from gluten, wheat, dairy, eggs, soy, salt, refined sugars & corn.

Wade Robson

Seriously....men that can dance = my weakness. Damn hawt Wade Robson is.

Fast Food Court Flash Mob

Love these moments of spontaneous mob singing....it's unexpected and brilliant.

Christmas Food Court Flash Mob, Hallelujah Chorus

Listen to #YMC Bsides Playlist #5: R&B

Hit Me Off

So wish New Edition would come out with some new music....love that 90s R&B flavour...and Ralph Tresvant's voice...so miss it.

And let's face it Bobby Brown needs a paying gig.

This is their video for the single 'Hit Me Off' released back in 1996 on Geffen Records.

R.I.P: A Remix Manifesto (Part 6, 7, 8, 9)

R.I.P: A Remix Manifesto (Part 3, 4, 5)

R.I.P: A Remix Manifesto (Part 2)

R.I.P: A Remix Manifesto (Part 1)

Glitter in the Air

One of my all time favourite live performances from the Grammy Awards (52nd).

P!nk - Glitter in the Air. Brilliant.

I may just have a girl crush on her. Yes, yes I think I do.

Paramore

Here's the new video for 'Playing God' by Paramore....

Plan B...Take 2

OK one more from Plan B...this one is called 'The Recluse'

One more...Brit Pop

One more from the Brit Music scene....

Love this song...vibe is from days gone by....in that Adele, Duffy kinda way.

Love it.

Plan B - Love Goes Down

UK X Factor: Matt Cardle

Love the Brit pop music scene...fab performance from Matt Cardle on UK X Factor.

The First Time (I Ever Saw Your Face)

Brit Pop Music Fix

Westlife performs on X Factor (November 14, 2010)

Listen to #YMC Bsides Playlist #4

Girl Talk

He has plucked samples from hundreds -- thousands -- of songs spanning all genres. His wide scope and proud propensity for filling his sets with pop hits, guilty pleasures and anything that will elicit a reaction have made his shows truly exuberant affairs, which often end with many audience members on stage, everyone drenched in sweat and Gillis nearly naked. ~David Malitz, The Washington Post

In the world of music mash-ups no one has done quite the meteoric rise like Girl Talk.


Pretty impressive for a guy who doesn't sing or play an instrument...his musical gift lies when he sits in front a computer screen and creates mash-up magic.  And that talent makes him an artist in his own right.  Because to take a handful of completely unrelated songs and seamlessly weave them into one new song...that takes talent, no matter how you look at it.  And that is why I ♥ DJs so and they have my utmost musical respect. 


Girl Talk, the stage alias of Gregg Gillis, started creating music back in his high school days in Pittsburgh...

"The name Girl Talk is a reference to many things, products, magazines, books. It’s a pop culture phrase. The whole point of choosing the name early on was basically to just stir things up a little within the small scene I was operating from. I came from a more experimental background and there were some very overly serious, borderline academic type electronic musicians. I wanted to pick a name that they would be embarrassed to play with. You know Girl Talk sounded exactly the opposite of a man playing a laptop, so that’s what I chose."

Girl Talk has a new record out and it's taking the internet by storm..."All Day" is a fab collection of musical snippets but it's never contrived or forced...it flows effortlessly, leaving you to think that 'it shouldn't work but it does'.


Now there's a few tracks where I think he's crammed a little too much hip hop that went on a little too long...maybe a little self editing was needed but that's me just bitching to find fault in what is an overall incredible musical journey through the land of mash-ups.


"All Day" is as creative as a mash up can get it...I mean really Ol' Dirty Bastard mashed into Radiohead...or L'il Wayne into Neil Diamond? What's not to love? The album flows through all these musical genres and it comes at you fast and furious but not in a way that will make you nauseous. It's perfect for rocking out in your car or getting through the day at work.


I've been listening non-stop for two days and I'm still finding something new each and every time.  I'm all over the 'Jump On Stage', 'Triple Double' and 'Every Day'.


So brilliant.


So impressive.


Girl Talk posts his music for free, so you can download his new album "All Day" without spending a dime.  Girl Talk does the free thing to avoid all those nasty, time consuming and money sucking lawsuits...smart move by him.


What are you waiting for? Go forth and download!  Enjoy the FREE ride.

Soap line of the Week

Best line I've heard in a while on the Y&R...


'You know the hole in the middle of you face making noise? You should shut it.' 
~Adam to Jack

This Made Me Laugh

First Christmas joke of the season...sent to me by my amigo Mike.
Love the manipulation of parents.

A man in newfoundland calls his son in London the day before Christmas Eve and says, 

"I hate to ruin your day but I have to tell you that your mother and I are divorcing; forty-five years of misery is enough".

"Dad, what are you talking about?'" the son screams. 
"We can't stand the sight of each other any longer", the father says.   "We're sick of each other and I'm sick of talking about this, so you

call your sister in Leeds and tell her". 
Frantically, the son calls his sister, who explodes on the phone, "Like hell they're getting divorced", she  shouts, "I'll take care of this".  
She calls newfoundland immediately and screams at her father, "You are NOT getting divorced. Don't do a single thing until I get there.

I'm calling my brother back and we'll both be there tomorrow. Until then, don't do a thing,  DO YOU HEAR ME?"and hangs up.

The old man hangs up his phone and turns to his wife.
"Done! They're coming for Christmas - and they're paying their own way."   

The Rescues

Cause I love this song so....another fabulous rendition of Katy Perry's 'Teenage Dream'...this time by The Rescues.

Le love it.

FREE Information Session - Youth Suicide

FREE Information Session - Youth Suicide: Recognizing Risk and Talking About It

Our community has been touched by the loss of Daron Richardson who passed away last weekend as a result of suicide.  The Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre extends its sincere condolences to theRichardson family and all of Daron’s friends and classmates. 

The Richardson family’s strength and openness in this difficult time reminds us how important it is to talk about mental health. These conversations can be first step towards helping people who need it but many people struggle with what to say. To help address that issue, The Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre will be holding a special free information session on Wednesday, November 24, 2010 at 7:00 pm entitled “Youth Suicide: Recognizing Risk and Talking About It”. 

“Youth Suicide: Recognizing Risk and Talking About It”

A free information session from the Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre 

Registration is requested

Attendees can click HERE to register or go to (http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/SPP7CT3) 

Date and Time
Wednesday, November 24, 2010

7 to 9 pm (doors open at 6:30) 

Location
Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre

1145 Carling Avenue, Ottawa 

Speakers

• Annmarie Nicholson, Director Volunteer Services and Trainer - Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training, Royal Ottawa Health Care Group
• Karen Poole, Chief of Social Work, Royal Ottawa Health Care Group
• James Thomas, Word is Out

         Presentation Summary

After accidents, suicide is the second-most common cause of death among young people in Canada.  An alarming 32% of young women and 18% of young men report having thoughts of suicide.  While females are twice as likely to attempt suicide, males complete suicide twice as often as women. When suicide occurs, the question most often asked by those left behind is “why?” and “how could we have prevented this?”  

Join us as we explore youth suicide. We will talk about the causes of suicide among young people, how to recognize risk and how to respond when someone you care about needs help. James Thomas, from the Word Is Out project, will also join us to share his own family’s personal story of loss and healing.

Talking about youth suicide is the first step in prevention. Our hope is that this presentation will help us to continue as a community to not only talk, but to listen as well.

Sue Riley

Communications Coordinator, Royal Ottawa Health Care Group

Speak Up

‎"Those kids know so little about life, they don't understand what's wrong with them and what can be done to help -- they're just in pain. They don't want to die, they just want to end the pain. There's a catch phrase: suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem. "I'm a nurse and I can remember when we didn't even say the word, cancer. We called it the big C -- and now the awareness is huge, and the funding for research and prevention. My goal is to get rid of the taboo around suicide and get on with prevention." 


~Jude Platz (mother who lost her teenage son to suicide)

Listen to #YMC Bsides Playlist #3

Wordless Wedensday

Really is there anything that can be said? I think not.

Hand Sanitizer...'Leaves hands feeling soft & relieved.'

A forward

Got this from my friend Sammy...


Thought it was so beautiful that it will become a mantra of mine...

May today there be peace within. May you trust that you are exactly where you are meant to be. May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith in yourself and others. May you use the gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you. May you be content with yourself just the way you are. Let this knowledge settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love.. It is there for each and every one of us.

The People In My Head

So I got this fab idea from the blog Loulou's Views...

Presenting: The People That Live In My Head

The cast of the movie Empire Records - They're all a little fucked up, innocent and endearing in their own way and come together when they need to - I've got a little bit of each of them in me (and for the record, the soundtrack for the movie totally kicks ass)

Ferris Bueller - I try to be that cool, sarcastic, clever and quirky every day...and I can be a shit disturber every now and then too.

Jeanie Bueller - Like Jeanie I am fiercely independent and sometimes feel totally misunderstood. I won't let anyone fuck with me and I'll do anything for my family. And her cynical sneer, I've got that one committed to memory.

Miss J Alexander - Because I dream of living Miss J's pampered life, getting manicured and pedicures, receiving massages, and sitting in peace in a hot tub of bubbles and water. And like Miss J I love my shoes and I love his line about walking the walk 'Walk like it's for sale and the rent is due tonight!'

Drew Barrymore - I'm all about that energy, ambition and humour...and the fact she proves that quirky can be beautiful and sexy.

Janeane Garofalo - (back when she was funny) - I'm all about that dry sarcasm and wit - everyone needs a little of that f*&^ off attitude in their head

Meg Griffin - Cause even at 37 there's still that self-conscious teenage girl in me that wants that acceptance and popularity...

Angela Chase - This quote from Angela says it all: ' Things were getting to me. Just how people are. How they always expect you to be a certain way. Even your best friend.'  I think about that a lot.

Duckie (Phil Dale) - Cause like Duckie, I'm all about the laughter, the friends, the fights, the talk, the hurt, the jealousy, the passion, the pressure, the real world.

Watts (Some Kind Of Wonderful) - She speaks to my rock 'n roll girl at heart and every girl wants to walk away with the diamond earrings with the boy of dreams...

and finally...

Elmo - Like Elmo I like to sing all the time (I totally suck at singing but I do it anyways) and I have that relentless optimism, good cheer and insatiable curiosity.

Sweet Serendipity

Love, love this new single from Lee DeWyze.

'Sweet Serendipity'

Listen to #YMC Bsides Playlist #2

Lanvin for H&M

These pieces look fabulous.

Listen to consuelobernardis Playlist