My Favorite TV Shows

"Think for a minute about what makes you fabulous and how you can celebrate it." (Laura Mercier)

 

Hello, my lovely friends! 

    Prepare yourselves, because my television palette is a chaotic masterpiece of high-stakes drama, supernatural shenanigans, and just enough soap opera suds to keep things bubbly. I’ve never been one to stick to a single genre; some nights I want a show that challenges my very perception of reality, and other nights I just want to watch beautiful people make terrible life choices in expensive houses. My viewing habits are essentially a tug-of-the-war between my desire for intellectual stimulation and my primal need for campy, unadulterated chaos.

    We might as well start with the heavy hitters of the eerie and the unexplained. If a show doesn't involve a moral dilemma or a monster in the woods, am I even really watching? I’m still hopelessly devoted to the unsettling brilliance of The Twilight Zone and its spiritual ancestor, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, which proved decades ago that the scariest things aren't under the bed, they're usually hiding in plain sight. From there, I dive headfirst into the supernatural deep end with True Blood and Grimm, because apparently, I have a thing for folklore, fangs, and the occasional shirtless werewolf.

    When I’m not exploring the shadows, I’m busy losing myself in sprawling epics and the inevitable heartbreak they provide. Game of Thrones and The Walking Dead both taught me the valuable lesson of never getting too attached to anyone with a pulse, while Haven kept me guessing with its delightfully weird small-town mysteries. It’s a stressful way to spend an evening, sure, but there’s nothing like a little "impending doom" to make my own night laundry pile seem significantly less threatening.

    Finally, we have to acknowledge the guilty pleasures that aren't actually guilty at all, they’re essential. Sometimes you need to trade the dragons and zombies for the polished silver of Downton Abbey, just to feel a bit more refined before descending back into the glorious, messy drama of Desperate Housewives and Melrose Place. There is a specific kind of magic in watching suburban secrets unravel or 90s apartment complex dwellers sabotage each other, and frankly, I wouldn’t have it any other way. My top ten list is a bit of a mood ring, and right now, the vibe is "expertly curated mayhem."

My Top Ten Favorite TV Shows
1. Twilight Zone
2. True Blood
3. Grimm
4, Game of Thrones
5. The Walking Dead
6. Haven
7.Alfred Hitchcock Presents 
8. Downton Abbey
9. Desperate Housewives
10. Melrose Place    

It was a treat having you stop by! Whatever the sun or moon is doing in your neck of the woods, I hope it’s treating you well. Until our next encounter... Ciao for now!

 

Not So Bad Here

 "Be thankful every chance you get. Not because life has been easy, perfect, or exactly as you had anticipated, but because you choose to be happy and grateful for all the good things you do have and all the problems you know you don't have." (Author Unknown)

 

Hello, my lovely friends!  

 

    So, did everyone actually survive the Great Frost and those dramatic storms? I know some of you truly went through the ringer, and I promise I’m sending warm thoughts your way. Meanwhile, over in my neck of the woods, the "weather event" was a bit of a theatrical flop. Sure, we endured those bitter, negative temperatures all day, but as for the snow? It was less of a winter wonderland and more of a light dusting that couldn't even commit to the bit for forty-eight hours.

Poor Scoots was the most offended of all. He caught a glimpse of the white stuff at night and likely went to bed with visions of epic drifts dancing in his head, only to wake up to a backyard that had mostly returned to its usual self. He did manage to hunt down a stray patch or two of slush near the fence, looking very much like a dog who had been promised a blizzard and was handed a lukewarm slushie instead.

  

     Last Friday, the universe decided to pair a funeral with a blizzard, forcing us out into the kind of cold that makes you question every life choice you’ve ever made. We were mourning my aunt’s mother on my dad’s side, and I’ll be honest—the snow almost won the "should we stay or should we go" debate. However, we were the official guardians of the post-service cake.

Despite the frostbite-inducing trek, it was actually lovely to see everyone. We took over a few tables afterward to swap stories and play the ultimate game of "Who Have You Seen Lately?" I’ve truly missed that side of the family, even if my excitement was seasoned with a healthy dose of "please don't breathe on me" anxiety. It seems half the guest list had recently battled another round of COVID, which had me eyeing the room like a germaphobe in a petri dish.

To play it safe, I started aggressive preventative measures with my medicine cabinet the moment I felt the winter chill trying to turn into a full-blown relapse. Thankfully, my immune system took the hint and held the line. I managed to survive the snow, the germs, and the emotional rollercoaster without bringing home a parting gift of the sniffles—which is a win in my book.

 

    Yesterday, the world went dark—no internet, no cable, and a blissful silence from the phones. While most people would have spiraled into a digital withdrawal-induced panic, I found it surprisingly refreshing. It turns out that scrubbing a kitchen is significantly more therapeutic when you aren’t being bombarded by notifications or the background hum of the 24-hour news cycle.

 

The forced offline status gave me the perfect excuse to finally tackle my mom’s craving for white tortilla cheese enchiladas. I whipped up a dozen, and we spent the afternoon splitting them and chatting about absolutely nothing of consequence. It was pure, unhurried quiet—at least until Mom decided the silence needed a soundtrack. She fired up some Cher and started dancing in her seat, turning a tech blackout into a full-blown living room concert. Honestly? It was the best day we’ve had in a long time.

 

 I’m so grateful you spent a bit of your day here with me. I hope the rest of your morning, afternoon, or evening is filled with little moments of joy and a whole lot of cozy.  Take good care of yourself, and I’ll be looking forward to our next chat!

It's Up To You

 

Now Is the Time

 "Start living now. Stop saving the good china for that special occasion. Stop withholding your love until that special person materializes. 
Every day you are alive is a special occasion. Every minute, every breath, is a gift from God." 
(Mary Manin Morrissey)

Hello, my lovely friends!

    We’ve officially reached that awkward mid-to-late January slump where the "New Year, New Me" glitter has lost its sparkle and mostly just looks like a mess on the carpet. If you’ve already abandoned that 5:00 AM Pilates habit or if your "dry January" ended abruptly on a random Tuesday because, well, Tuesday happened, give yourself a high-five. The honeymoon phase of the calendar year is over, the gym is starting to thin out again, and honestly? We can all finally breathe a little easier now that the performance of perfection is starting to crack.


I’ve never been one for the January 1st sprint. There is something so unnecessarily aggressive about trying to overhaul your entire existence while you’re still recovering from a holiday cheese coma. I prefer to treat the first couple of weeks like a soft launch—I sit back, observe the chaos, sip my coffee, and see where my head is actually at once the dust settles. It turns out, where I’m at right now is standing on the edge of a very big, very transformative year. The roadmap for my next twelve months is looking less like a straight line and more like a wild, winding mountain pass. It’s thrilling, it’s vibrant, and if I’m being completely honest, it’s scaring the absolute daylights out of me.        


But here’s the thing about that fear: it usually means you’re actually onto something real. We spend so much time trying to curate lives that look balanced and "correct" on paper, but life is meant to be a collection of the things, people, and places that actually make your pulse quicken. I’m a recovering perfectionist—trust me, I used to have a gold medal in overthinking and a PhD in "What Will People Think?"—and I can tell you from experience that perfection is the most boring goal you could ever chase. It’s a cage with very pretty bars. This year, I’m trading in that polished facade for a bit of productive messiness, as long as it leads me closer to what makes my heart sing.    


    So, if you’re feeling the weight of those "forgotten" resolutions, let this be your permission slip to just drop them. Put down the heavy expectations and pick up something that actually brings you joy. Whether that’s starting a new project, traveling to that one spot that’s been on your bucket list for a decade, or simply learning to say "no" to things that drain your battery—do it. We don't have enough time on this planet to live according to a checklist of "shoulds." Lean into the scary changes, embrace the "wait and see" approach, and remember that being a work in progress is much more interesting than being a finished product.    

 I’m so grateful you spent a bit of your day here with me. I hope the rest of your morning, afternoon, or evening is filled with little moments of joy and a whole lot of cozy.  Take good care of yourself, and I’ll be looking forward to our next chat!

It's Just Hanging Around

 "Think for a minute about what makes you fabulous and how you can celebrate it." (Laura Mercier)

 

 Hello, my lovely friends! 

    I’ve officially become a human revolving door for every germ in a five-mile radius. Just when I think I’ve finally evicted the latest bug, it loops right back around for an uninvited encore. This past week, the "neighborhood crud" decided I was its favorite host again, leaving me stuck in a dizzying cycle of sniffles and regret.

Thankfully, I’m fully vaxxed, so while others are currently fighting for their lives, I’ve mostly just been a very expensive space heater. I spent the better part of the weekend in a medically induced coma (also known as a nap), and I’m finally feeling like a functioning member of society again. Here’s hoping I’ve officially kicked this thing to the curb—or at least told it to find a new door to swing through.

    I hear most of you are currently living in a literal winter wonderland, and I’ll be honest: I’m reaching a level of jealousy that’s becoming borderline unhealthy. While you’re out there living your best "thriving in a snow globe" life, we had a pathetic dusting last night that vanished faster than my New Year’s resolution to eat more kale. It’s a tragedy, truly.

Right now, our local ski resorts are looking more like hiking trails with delusions of grandeur. Half of them aren’t even fully open because the sky refuses to cooperate, leaving us in a climate so dry I’m basically turning into a human raisin. At this point, I’m not even being picky—I’d take a monsoon, a slushy mess, or a light misting if it meant putting some moisture back into the air. If you have any spare clouds or a direct line to the snow gods, please send them my way before I give up and start praying to my humidifier.

    How is 2026 treating everyone so far? Personally, I’ve spent the better part of the new year in a heated, one-sided argument with a stubborn sickness that just won't take the hint. Aside from that glamorous development, things have been pretty quiet—mostly because it’s hard to make "big moves" when your primary accomplishment for the day is successfully reaching for the tissues.

While I’m over here playing professional patient, my poor mom is dealing with the real deal. Her back is acting up again, and now her "good" knee has decided to join the rebellion. She’s already eyeing a second knee surgery, but since she’s reached a certain vintage, she’s worried the doctors might give her the "let's just wait and see" routine. It’s a bit of a toss-up, but I’m crossing everything that they give her the green light soon. There is absolutely nothing fun about watching her power through that kind of pain, and frankly, she’s overdue for a break from being the universe's favorite target.

 

Thank you so much for stopping by.
I wish you a good morning, afternoon or evening wherever you are.
Until next time… Ciao!

Just Do It

 

Something New to Add to Friday Fundays

 

"The universe is always speaking to us. ... Sending us little messages, causing coincidences and serendipities, reminding us to stop, to look around, to believe in something else, something more." (Nancy Thayer)

Hello, my lovely friends!

    We all know that Fridays around here are dedicated to the pursuit of a good time—which, in my world, usually translates to me oversharing random facts about myself. I love the tradition, and I’m definitely not stopping, but I’ve decided Fridays are ripe for a little renovation. Why should I be the only one under the microscope while you sit back and enjoy the show?

    I’m pivoting to a "give and take" dynamic. You know those "get to know me" prompts that circulate online—the ones that range from deeply philosophical to "what’s the weirdest thing in your fridge"? I’m going to cherry-pick one question every Friday to answer myself, and then I’m turning the spotlight on you. Consider this your weekly invitation to spill some tea (or just some trivia) in the comments so we can find out new things about each other. 

    I know, I know—I’ve been a bit of a ghost lately, and not even the spooky, fun kind. Last year was a chaotic fever dream that sent this blog (and my sanity) into a tailspin, but I’m finally dusting off the keyboard. It’s time I stop playing hide-and-seek with my own interests and put myself back on the front burner where the real heat is. Consider this my official notice that I’m done being my own last priority.

    So, let’s go with the first question for this new idea for some Friday blogs, and it’s something simple...

What are your top 10 movies?

My top 10 movies:

1. It Happened One Night (1934)

 

2. Moulin Rouge! (2001)

3. Less Than Zero (1987)

4. Cabaret (1972)

5. Julie & Julia (2009)

6. One Way Passage (1932)

7. Rome Adventure (1962)

8. The Lost Boys (1987)

9. What Price Hollywood? (1932)

10. Bram Stoker's Dracula (1992)

Thank you so much for stopping by.
I wish you a good morning, afternoon or evening wherever you are.
Until next time… Ciao!

Doggie Air-Fryer Meatballs (Recipe)

 

I think dogs are the most amazing creatures; they give unconditional love. For me they are the role model for being alive. ~Gilda Radner

Hello, my lovely friends!
        
    The things you can find or be inspired to do spending time on Pinterest. The other day I was browsing recipes for anything on Pinterest and found a recipe for dog meatballs. Sometimes I read the recipe and wonder if the person actual made the recipe or even know how to cook because some of them are horrible sounding. I found a dog recipe that had two ingredients: ground chicken or turkey and shredded carrots. What kind of meal is that for a dog? I knew I could come up with something better and tastier for my little man. 

    While out at Sprouts I grabbed a ground turkey roll and in the salad bags I found a broccoli slaw that had shredded broccoli, carrots and red cabbage. I started thinking of what you put in a real meatball, but minus the garlic and onions. In the fridge I had a container of leftover rice to use as well.

Air-Fryer Turkey Meatballs
Ingredients
·    Ground Turkey – 1 pound
·    Broccoli Slaw _ 1 bag (16 oz.)
·    Cooked rice – 1 ½ cup
·    Extra Virgin Olive Oil – 1 TBSP.

Directions
1.    In a food processor put the entire bag of the broccoli slaw in there and let it become finely chopped. Place it all in a bowl and do the same thing with the rice. I guess you really don’t have to put the rice in the food processor, but that’s what I did. 

2.    In the large bowl that has the broccoli slaw and rice in it put the uncooked ground turkey in there. Also, add the Extra Virgin Olive Oil to the bowl. I started mixing with a spoon, but immediately switch to my hands to mix it all together.

3.    Using a small scoop I got about 37 meatballs from it.  I could have gotten more, but I used some of the mixture in something else that’s a bonus recipe. 

4.    I’m using the Air-Fryer for this, but you could put them in the oven or even cook them in a skillet on the stove. If cooking in the oven I would go 350 for 15 to 20 minutes and turning them halfway. In a skillet I would do it in a non-stick skillet and cook probably four minutes on one side, flip them, turn the temp from medium to low and put a lid on the skillet for another three minutes.  However, I’m using the Air-Fryer for this one and it’s going to be at 350 between ten and twelve minutes. The first batch I went fifteen minutes and that was too long. 
    
    After I finished making it I gave one to Scooter and he loved it. He looked like he wanted more, but I told him he has to wait for dinner. For the little guy he weighs between twelve and fourteen pounds, so I’ll give him two meatballs for a meal. Once again I used the very old wax bags that we can seal and put two meatballs in each bag. There’s almost twenty bags there and I put them in the freezer. I’ll just take one out the night before and let it defrost in the fridge. Now onto the bonus recipe.

    Once I did the broccoli slaw and rice in the food processor I looked at it and thought what if I add an egg or two to it and cook him a breakfast omelet. Before I added the ground turkey I took out about two cups of the mixture because there was a lot and put it in another bowl. I then added two eggs that I whisked and mixed it together. This time on the stove I heated up my non-stick pan on medium with about a TBSP. of coconut oil. I got a regular ice cream scoop and made little small pancakes in the skillet, cooked it about three minutes on one side, flipped them and cooked an additional three minutes. 

    I made a very small one for the little man to try out and he ate that one up too. I got about fifteen little omelet pancakes out of those. I imagine you could shred a potato in there or different veggies. I love that I can control what is going in his food and he is loving it all. 

Thank you so much for stopping by.
I wish you a good morning, afternoon or evening wherever you are.
Until next time… Ciao!

It's the Little Things