The Post About South by Southwest Part I

I plotted and planned a trip to the Southwest.

And I let my parents pay for it.

We flew from Birmingham to Phoenix.

On the plane, my mother talked through her fear of flying and my dad looked out the window.

They maintained those positions for almost 4 hours.

Phoenix = best meal of the trip. Dining bloggetizer coming soon...

Let's take a moment to talk about Arizona.

Hot. Period.

And all of those folks mumbling something to themselves about "dry" versus "humid" can KISS IT.

105 degrees is toasty. Whitney lip or no Whitney lip.

There are cacti and bushes and piles of rocks. Most of which are pretty snazzy to stare at.

Aren't they adorable? You can't tell from this picture, but he is harboring a fear of directions and she is trying to nurture with sugar free purse snacks.


I don't know why John McCain has to hog all the pretty. Exhibit A: Sedona.


You just want to pinch the baby cacti cheeks.


Even God has a house amongst the red rocks.


His humble abode is next to this one. I hope they tithe.

Sedona is a must-stop for anyone in the neighborhood - the drive alone is worth it.

But it's just a sugar free mint to the filet mignon that was coming...


{images: Jamie}

The Re-Post About Alliances

We are still in sin city. Minimal sinning - pinky swears. Worst thing that's actually happening is a lack of college football.

This post was originally published on September 24, 2008. Penn State can stick it.
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Football. I don't particularly get fired up about the sport - until I watch it. Then I am all about it for some reason. I think it's the same thing I love about Tivo - instant replay.

College football falls somewhere between God and pageants in Alabama and you must make a decision in utero as to where your loyalties will lie. For all intents and purposes, I support the University of Alabama over Auburn University. This decision was made after much research and taking family history into consideration. OR - I simply prefer the color red over orange.

In my family - we are not diehards, which explains the following system of support:

1. Always root for UA.
2. Always root for Auburn, unless it conflicts with #1.
3. Always root for SEC teams unless it conflicts with #1 or #2.
4. Never root for Tennessee, even if in conflict with #3.
5. Never root for non-SEC teams, unless their opponent is higher ranked than any SEC team (sans Tennessee.)

My alma mater had an agreement with a past donor to never develop a football team because of the violence.

We have rugby instead. The Fighting Emory Eagles!

The Re-Post About Guns and Religion

Today we are in Vegas. My parents are the role models for tee-totaling, so they'll be very few vices. But there will be Blackjack. Because I said so.

The post was originally published on November 13, 2008. Share your vices. Make me feel better.
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The economy is in the crapper. We should all be trying to save, right? I have tried to cut back in many areas, but there are some things that I cling to like guns and religion. Here's a list of five sacrifices I am not willing to make quite yet. I might seriously consider cutting them out if it came down to them or electricity in my home. Might.

1. Internet on my Phone. I crave it like heroin. Especially while I am driving. (Better to be surfing on the phone, than having a hit of heroin on the interstate...)
2. Tivo. Another drug of choice.
3. Cheez-Its. Cheese Nips and store-brand cheese crackers are for those missing taste buds at the tip of their tongues.
4. Face Products. I am now closer to death than I have ever been. Therefore, I will be fighting every wrinkle and age spot and puffiness with an arsenal comparable to that of the Taliban.
5. Chick-Fil-A. First of all, it simply tastes yummy. Second of all, it is really like tithing because it's "Christian Chicken." My debit card swipe for an 8-pack of nuggets is really an an act of worship. Wait...

What would you keep on buying even if your wallet suggested otherwise?

The Re-Post About SlapYourMomma Truffles

Today we're traveling Route 66. All my GPS efforts are focused on getting to an In-N-Out. Pure and simple goodness.

This post was originally published on June 3, 2009. If you want your own pure and simply goodness - make these.
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I never condone family violence, but these chocolate peanut butter truffles are good.


The suspects. Notice I went brand name on everything but the whipped topping. Cool Whip can stick it for 23 cents more.


This recipe is from a Cool Whip cookbook called "Simple Desserts." I kinda feel bad about that "stick it" comment from before. I apologize.


I microwaved the chocolate in intervals until it was nice and gooey.


I stirred in peanut butter. This is a Pampered Chef gadget that was worth the purchase just for peanut butter. Of course, you lose out on the cursing and yelling from trying to get the stuff out of a regular measuring cup.

I mixed that up and left it until it cooled to room temp. Since the oven had been on and it leaks gas, it was approximately 102 degrees. Make your own call.

Stirred in COOL WHIP. The whole tub. Minus what you need to taste test to make sure it's fresh.

Refrigerated for 1 hour+. My fridge is warmer than most because of frugality. It took a little longer.

Shaped into 1-inch balls and let them take a powdered sugar bath. There is no messier thing you will ever do in your life. Unless you work with sewage. Then a close second.

Placed in mini liners and watched people enjoy. Might be good to line serving dish with cigarettes. They are that good.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Truffles

1 package (8 squares) Baker's Semi-Sweet Chocolate

1/2 cup peanut butter

1 tub (8 oz) COOL WHIP topping, thawed

Bath items: powered sugar, sprinkles, chopped nuts, coconut, etc.

Microwave chocolate in large bowl on high 2 minutes or until chocolate is melted, stirring halfway through heating time.

Stir in peanut butter until smooth. Cool to room temperature. Stir in whipped topping.

Refrigerate 1 hour. Shape into 1-inch balls. Roll in bath items of choice. Store in refrigerator.

Makes about 3 dozen. (minus the ones you taste test for freshness.)

{images: Jamie}