chimesblog

So I know you’re all in “get fit and trim” and “eat healthy” mode.

But you know, you’ve been doing that for 3 whole weeks now. And the that means you’re probably pretty much done with all of that crap until January 2013.

Want something so naughty even I won’t eat it?

That’s right. You do.

Juicy. Lucy.

That sounds kind of gross.

Trust me, it is awesome. I had a bite.

I’m not going to tell you how to make them. Because we didn’t do it right. I refuse to use processed cheese, even if it’s for something as unhealthy as this … so our version wasn’t so juicy.

But these guys will show you how to make them.

Here’s how ours turned out.

Okay. These look delicious. But seriously. I didn’t eat one.

Traveling to Minnesota? Try one of these bad boys at one of these restaurants.

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To the end of 2011 and the beginning of 2012.

Have a safe and fun evening. I’ll be at the bash Mark’s brother’s friends throw annually.

Here’s a shot by Justin who took a shot of us doing shots (I hope it wasn’t Scotche) and ringing in 2011. It might have been because if you notice, I’m not drinking any … and Mark’s sister has a terribly disgusted look on her face.

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Hello bloggity bloglings! It’s been a while since I’ve done any sort of giveaway.

You may remember my Monday Madness Giveaway back in May. or my Scavenger Hunt Giveaway back in 2010,  or when I gave away some Pinterest invites when it was brand spankin’ new, or maybe when I did giveaways regularly (here, here, here, here and here).

Anyway, I have a giveaway! I got these awesome posters from French Paper a while back at the Field Paper Show. They’re the French Paper 14oth Anniversary posters. For those of you who don’t geek paper, French Paper has aweeeeeesome paper. It’s the best. They have tons of fun colors and finishes. Also, they have Charles S. Anderson Design do all of their promos. And for those of you who don’t geek design, it’s my lifelong dream to work for CSA.

Would you like to see the goods? I have three posters to give away to you lovely people. Also, you can buy these posters online if you’re not a winner.  These feature metallic ink and are on butcher paper.

Interested?

How do you win?

There are a few ways to get an entry: First, leave me a comment on this blog post telling me what you’re thankful for this year. Yes. Thanksgiving IS this week.

[if you are reading via an rss service or on facebook, click here to go to the blog post. comments on facebook will not be entered to win]

Want another entry? Add yourself to my networked blogs or google friends widgets on my sidebar. If you add both you don’t get two entries, you just get double the chimes. Again, you have to go to my actual blog post to do this. Make sure to comment to tell me you did this.

Third entry? Okay fine. Tweet this: “I want to be Frenched by @chimes! #frenchme @FrenchPaperCo #chimesblogpostergiveaway”.

You have until 5 AM Cyber Monday (next Monday, the 28th) to enter. I’ll choose a winner that morning. Since I’m crazy organized, all entries are going in a spreadsheet in the order they are entered, so any of these entry mechanisms will work.

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As an early birthday gift, Mark bought us tickets to see Jim Gaffigan tonight in the Twin Cities.  And by early, I mean he bought them back in March.

Don’t know who Jim Gaffigan is? You’ve probably seen him.

Here’s one of my favorite bits of his.

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… now that Summer has been officially over for a few days.

First up — early July.  Mark and I went up to Stillwater to celebrate Mark’s brother, Nick’s, birthday.  They were doing a downtown Stillwater bar hop.

First up, dinner at Nacho Mamas — an AMAZING Mexican restaurant and bar.  Mark and I split some street tacos and I ordered what apparently was the most disgusting drink I’ve ever had — a Sangarita — half sangria, half margarita: all a bad idea.

And of course there was a birthday sombrero, which Nick sports here (yes, you can definitely tell Mark and Nick are related …)

[photo credit Justin Yunke]

Aaaaand there was a discovery that Naked MJ lives in my purse for opportune moments like this:

Then we headed over to a bar that used to be a pretty decent watering hole that turned into kind of a lame pub-themed bar.

Did I mention I was kind of exhausted? But this photo is one of my favorites of all time (thanks, Justin!)

[photo credit Justin Yunke]

At this bar we ran into the infamous (slash probably not famous at all) Johnny Rock (the dude with the hat).  He had a business card. With Johnny Rock on it.  Yeah.

[photo credit Justin Yunke]

And apparently I wasn’t having enough fun, so Nick made me dance with him. Which was awesome. Because I’m a horrible dancer.  And I’m super light-weight … so there was a few airborne moments (one below).

[photo credit Justin Yunke]

And I wish I had MY camera out for what came next: Stillwater’s version of Jersey Shore — The Freight House.

[photo credit Justin Yunke]

Take a moment to look at the website. Then imagine what the rest of the evening looked like.  Let’s just say there were 3 of us on the dance floor.  But there was intelligent analysis of pop music today going on out on the deck.

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Last month was crazy. Here is a sneak peek at things that happened before I get to blogging about them …

… Mark’s brother Nick’s birthday in Stillwater …

… Mark’s 25th birthday in Chicago …

… awesome new fabric …

… moving …

… a really awesome project for Drake …

... and LOTS and lots of food.

(asian lettuce wraps)

(chicken strips with honey mustard and sweet corn)

(kung pao chicken)

(stovetop creamy mac and cheese made with REAL cheese)

(chicken, broccoli and mushroom alfredo with pappardelle’s tomato cracked pepper pasta)

(tomato, basil and chevré pizza)

so hopefully I will have some time to share these experiences with you!  And of course all the recipes.  I will also try to start sharing points plus numbers with you at the suggestion of Kelly.

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Death Cab has a new album out and I discovered this song on The Current a bit ago. I was surprised to hear it was Death Cab because I’ve never really liked them.

Enjoy.

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Another song I discovered on The Current — ”Don’t Sit Down Cuz I Moved Your Chair” by the Arctic Monkeys.

I’ve not really listened to the Arctic Monkeys before, but I think I’m going to have to check them out. I’m open to suggestions for which albums.

Also, this video is pretty awesome. It’s got a lot of really neat artistic techniques and cuts. <3

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Most amazing and random team-up ever. Lost in the World by Kanye featuring Bon Iver.  I discovered this on The Current recently.

Added bonus: definitely a Michael Jackson reference throughout the song — part of “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’”.

This is off Kanye’s new album “My Dark Twisted Fantasy” — which I’m not going to buy. But I’ve definitely purchased this track. Apparently there’s no official video for this on youTube, but here’s the song.

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These guys are going to be at DGs Taphouse in Ames tonight. I’m really excited! Love them. They’re from the great white north (MN) and are part of the folk resurgence that’s happening lately. LOVE.

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