Twas Thanksgiving Eve.

It's Thanksgiving Eve, do you have your pie made? If not, I have a last minute treat for you. It's as easy as 1,2,3. Literally. Everyone has their celebrities that they like. I seem to like some of the oddest ones: Elton John, Cher, Matt Lauer and Meredith Viera (I consider them celebs) and Kristen Chenoweth.

Did you know her real name is Kristi Chenoweth?! I think she is just so talented, but I must admit, sometimes her squeaky voice does get on my nerves. She is an Oklahoma native and carries a deep love for her home state. This makes me like her even more!

I was reading her book not to long ago, "A Little Bit Wicked," and came across this recipe. Strange that this biography had 2 recipes in it, but they got my attention. So here you go: Butter Finger Pie

Ingredients:

Graham Cracker Crust Pie (I bought the pre-made)

6 King Size Butterfingers

12-ounce container of Cool Whip

Steps:

Crush all of your butterfingers up. (I put mine in a plastic bag and rolled over with a rolling pin)

Once Butterfingers are crushed, mix them with the Cool Whip (all of the cool whip)

Once all mixed up, place all in pie pan

FREEZE the pie

SERVE with a smile

If Bart Simpson is at your Thanksgiving table, he'll be very thankful! "Don't lay a hand on my Butterfinger."

POTTER FRIDAY

In high school, I used to love to watch Rosie O'Donnell's afternoon talk show.  She was so funny, and liberal, and my dad hated her, so I thought it was kind of rebellious to watch her and laugh.  Plus, I loved A League of their Own back in those days, and as a result, I loved "Ro."  One afternoon, in the fall of my junior year, she had a British children's author on the show to promote the release of the third title in her series.  Rosie introduced JK Rowling to the crowd, and everyone erupted in applause.  I had never heard of her so I decided to pay attention to something else (probably my dog Abbey Road, may she rest in peace).  Jo and Rosie began to chat about the novels, and I couldn't figure out if this was a book about a real boy who pretended to be a wizard or a boy who really was a wizard.  Rosie was going on and on about how much she loved this "Harry Potter" and asked Jo if she would read a passage from the newest novel.  This was when I really started to pay attention.  I love hearing authors read their own work, so I dropped what I was doing and tuned in.  JK Rowling then opened the Prisoner of Azkaban and began to read from the scene where the dementors pay a visit to the Hogwarts Express and, in turn, meet Harry Potter (to this day, this remains one of my favorite scenes).  By the time she had finished I was fully mezmerized.  Two hours later, I had purchased my first copy of the Sorcerer's Stone.  (It was a paperback, and, in case you are wondering, I have since purchased two others: a hardback edition and a French translation).  Three hours after that, I started to read Harry Potter.  At first I still had my doubts.  I am going to be perfectly honest, I was still confused about where the story was going.  Back in this day and age, I had never even heard of Dumbledore before.  Just imagine picking up Harry Potter for the first time before the movies, the theme parks...before all of the hype...it was all completely new to me.  And, it was, for lack of a better word, magical.  By the time Harry made it to Hogwarts and was sorted into Gryffindor, I was fully and completely obsessed.

Eleven years have passed since I saw JK Rowling on Rosie.  A lot has changed (including Rosie).  Today, the novelty of Harry Potter is gone.  I know every character, every place, most of the spells, and how the story ends.  Nonetheless, last night at the Midnight premiere of the Deathly Hallows Part One, my heart was pounding as the movie opened with the meeting of the Death Eaters at Malfoy Manor.  I cried when certain sad things happened that I don't want to give away for those of you who I am still holding out will one day pick up the books.  I laughed at Fred, George, and Ron.  I clenched my fists and held my breath and even screamed a bit...on the inside.  Harry gets me every time, and the Deathly Hallows Part One was NO EXCEPTION.

With all of the books published, and only one movie premiere left, there isn't much left to discover in the amazing world of Harry Potter.  But, for me, there is still nothing better in the world than a day spent just enjoying the greatness that is Harry.  I may be hallucinating (I'm so tired today because I am an old woman who can't stay up past 11:00 pm on a weeknight), but I still feel the same magic I felt when I opened that first book at the recommendation of Rosie O'Donnell in 1999.  And, I am having yet another amazing day because of it.  Everyone, do yourself a favor and go see Deathly Hallows, or rent any HP movie, or better yet, start reading the books.  Rosie O'Donnell and I both promise, you will not regret it.

I love the boy who lived,

SES

Insurance

As a little Sarah, I didn't know much about the topic of insurance. I knew that when people asked what my dad did for a living, I was told to say "insurance." And that when my mom took me to the doctor they always asked for our "insurance." Well, over these past few weeks I have grown to love my insurance more than I ever thought I would. I have three types right now: home, health, and auto. My health is just fine, thankfully, because those problems are real problems, not "it's funny to blog about them" problems. The home and the auto, however, are not fine, and are very happy to be insured right now.

The home is suffering from a damaged bathroom sub floor. The source of this damage was a leaking AC that was fixed in early October, but left a lovely little reminder known as: water damage. The story goes like this: I decided to get new tile. I went to Home Depot, and picked out new tile. Then I scheduled it to be installed. A plumber came out and unhooked my toilet. He put the toilet in my bath tub and planned to come back the next day to take it out. The tile guys arrived. They tore out my old tile. They found a very large section of rotted sub floor. They couldn't put in the tile. The toilet remained in the tub. Two contractors, one plumber, and one insurance adjuster later...I am now scheduling to have my tub removed, my sub floor replaced, my entire tub surround replaced, new baseboard put in, and, you guessed it, new tile. Hopefully, this will all be done by Turkey Day. Most likely, it will not be done till Christmas. Just kidding, but not really, I'm a pessimist. What have I learned from this? The showers at lifetime fitness aren't that bad. And, I really love my home insurance.

The auto has only been suffering since this morning when it was side-swiped by a lady who decided to turn left from the center lane, across the left lane that I was driving in. She didn't care to look to see if there was oncoming traffic that would interfere with her illegal turn, and I was lucky enough to be on the receiving end of her carelessness. Poor Glenn (my 05 Jetta), is now black on the passenger side (he is white everywhere else), and very embarrassed to go out in public. What have I learned from this mishap? That when my dad says, and I quote, "SUCK IT UP, it could be a lot worse," he means it (and he knows insurance). And, I really love that the woman who hit me has auto insurance.

So, everyone, be thankful for your health, your happiness, AND your insurance this week. You bet your ass I'll list that as one of my "I'm thankful for's" at one of my three Thanksgiving dinners next week.

I'm protected,

SES

Pretty Paws

Do painted nails make you happy? ME TOO... BUT are you sick and tired of your nail polish chipping 3 days after your manicure? ME TOO. It wasn't hard to talk me into paying 15 more dollars for my manicure to have the "Shellac" process. What is this process you ask? I am going to tell you.

"Shellac" is a soak-off hybrid between a gel and polish. Soak off gels look just like polish but last longer, in part by being cured onto the nail with an ultraviolet lamp. The gel must be applied and removed by a professional. The nail tech paints on a base coat, 2 color coats and top coat- after each coat, your nails are set under a UV light. Not only do you leave with impeccably dry nails, you leave feeling secure knowing you'll have great looking nails for days to come.

A noted downfall- Removal takes longer. Acetone should do the trick, but a nail tech may need to scrape the crumbs of gel off. (I actually haven't gone through the removal process, but I hear it's easier than they say.)

It only took 5 years to make the product, but now women everywhere can go to the nail salon and leave knowing they will not have to pay to have their nails repainted for the following weekend. I have had my "Shellac" on for almost 2 weeks and it still has not chipped. (see above image) However, I do have some complaints:

1. You can clearly see the nail growth at the top of my nail bed... but hey, 2 weeks of red nails with no touch up? I'll take that any day!

2. As much as I love having red nails, I am really getting sick of it- but I refuse to remove it, because I want to se how long it will last... I almost feel like I am testing the McDonald's french fry.

3. My particular nail salon only offers 10 colors. All generic colors.

Give your paws a treat next time you get a manicure

Da Vest

What is a sleeveless garment, often having buttons down the front, worn usually over a shirt or blouse? The answer is, a “vest.”

I love vests. You would think I was a hunter, I wear so many vests. I was driving to work today, in my vest, and I started thinking about my obsession with the vest. I feela little manly loving vests so much, but I have to remind myself that the vest is no longer just a part of the 3-piece suit. (Can I say the word vest one more time? I am on my OWN nerves right now.)

If you are still reading, I promise to limit my “vest” term usage from here on out…if possible. Here are some vest trends I am loving.

The Fur Vest. I DIE:

Rachel Zoe made a name for the faux-fur vest while keeping PETA happy the entire time. Her faux fur vests sell for under $100 on the QVC website/network.

The Puffer Vest. Another favorite of mine. Let’s say you had a few too many and some late night food the night before? Put on a puffer. Not only will you hide your bloat,you will still look stylish and you most definitely will be comfy. Oh dear, now everyone knows my “puffer wearing” secret. Next time you see me in a puffer, please don’t automatically assume I ate/drank too much:

The $425 Moncler Puffer. Most recently, Sarah Jessica Parker was seen cruising the streets of Manhattan with this on. My body needs this:

Gold Puffer, by GAP

The coolest vest. My favorite, and on my body today:

Isn’t this the best?

Ron Burgundy can have lamp, because I LOVE VEST. Hope your holidays are full of cheer and maybe a new vest or two.

Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

I was going to hold off on posting this message, due to the nature of it's content and the fact that it may be old news, but I feel as though it's my civic duty. I have a public announcement to make: Mimi, formerly known as MARIAH CAREY, has a new CD out: "Merry Christmas II You" is now in stores.

That's right. Mariah has made a new Christmas CD. If you have any Christmas music sense at all, you and I both know that Mariah Carey's first Christmas CD is the best Christmas CD ever made.

I am a firm believer in not starting my Christmas music listening until the day after Thanksgiving, but I am shaking things up this year and starting early. Mariah's new CD just puts me in a jolly mood and makes me want to run home and put on my Mrs. Clause suit. (I wish I were lying.)

My initial thoughts- It's going to be another favorite. And don't worry, "All I want for Christmas" is on there! For Mariah's sake, I hope the new CD is a hit, due to the bun in her oven. (Someone has to raise the kid.)

Here are some other wonderful Christmas Selections. (I know I am leaving out many of my favorites.)

-Most Wonderful Time of the Year

-Baby, It's Cold Outside

-Rocking Around the Christmas Tree

-Feliz Navidad, Jose Feliciano

-Christmas Wrapping by the Waitreses

-Blue Christmas, Elvis

-Happy Christmas (War is Over) - John Lennon

-Step into Christmas, Elton John

-What are you doing New Year's Eve - Rufus Wainwright

-Grown up Christmas List" - Amy Grant

-Wonderful Christmastime - Paul McCartney

Wow, I feel like I need to be cozied up to a fire, with a glass of wine and Lucy Le right now. It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year.