I'll take some Tap Tap Revenge with a side of 30 Rock, please

This week's Writer's Workshop from Mama Kat (see above) is frickin' awesome! You better be excited because you're gonna get to read a whole crap load of fun stuff from me today. Wanna know what's in store?

Well, I've got a fabulous music video for your viewing pleasure, circa early 1990s. Next, I'll be sharing one of my favorite recipes with you. You'll also have the privilege of discovering what 5 of my most current favorite things are. Are you jumping up and down with excitement yet? Because you should be. If you're not, then you better get your head examined.

So, first off, allow me to share with you a fabulous song from the first CD I ever purchased with my own money. Frickin' Ace of BASE, people. Name of the CD? The Sign. I remember playing basketball outside by myself with my larger than life boom box next to the hoop, playing this very song on repeat for HOURS. One time the crotchety old lady from next door came over and asked me to turn it down. What a bizatch! I listen to the song now, and I realize how ridiculous of a song it is, but it just takes me back, and all I can do is smile.

I'm notorious for screwing up song lyrics, but I swear the first line of this is: "I bought a phone, yeah!" Tell me what you think. I'm pretty much 23% sure that I've gotta be right on this one.

Without further adieu, I bring you the classic '90s hit, "The Sign." Don't enjoy it too much.



Next! A favorite recipe...

I love recipes that are easy, delicious, and taste like I spent forever working on them. The recipe I'm going to share with you is a variation on a recipe called Chicken Surprise that a friend shared with me, and a crockpot recipe I found online. I really don't have a name for this, but it's good. Let's call it Crockpot Chickeny Salsa Bean Extravaganza. If you need to cook gluten-free, check out The Crockpot Lady's site for her version.

Crockpot Chickeny Salsa Bean Extravaganza

1. Turn your crockpot to Low.
2. Add about 4 or 5 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (you can even add them frozen!)
3. Dump in a jar of salsa (I recommend whatever brand is on sale - who frickin' cares, anyway?).
4. Dump in a can of black beans.
5. Cook for about 6-8 hours.

You can eat as is, or you can shred the chicken. You can also add corn if you want at the beginning, but I choose not to. Now, if you want it to be creamy, add a brick of cream cheese during the last 30 minutes and then stir it all together. We've tried it both ways, and we prefer it without the cream cheese. If you want it to be soupier, add some chicken broth - however much you want.

And lastly, I will be sharing 5 of my current favorite things with you. Let's take it from the top.

One: L'Oreal beauty tubes mascara























Listen to me. Are you listening? You HAVE to buy this mascara. HAVE to. I've always had an issue with mascara smudging, rubbing off, making me have raccoon eyes halfway through the day, or clumping. Not pretty. This stuff frickin' rocks! I bought it after I read Summer's review (please go check her out at Le Musings of Moi, by the way - she's a riot!), and I will never go back. You really need to read Summer's review - I'm pretty sure you'll feel compelled to buy it after you read it.

DOS and TRES: The 8 gig iPod touch. One of THE best inventions ever. Given to me by Mom and Pops at Christmas, it's definitely going down as one of the best Christmas gifts ever given to anyone. anywhere. Number 3 goes right along with it, and that - my friends - is Tap Tap Revenge. Available free at the app store, it's like a handheld version of guitar hero. Just warning you - it's addicting. You probably won't get anything done for at least a day after you discover the fun that IS Tap Tap Revenge (that's it on the screen right there).























Four: Frickin' baby formula. Seriously. I love this stuff (for Kaylee, not me personally). It makes my life easier, and it means my boobs are mine again. In fact, I'm so excited about formula that I wrote a whole post about how excited it makes me. Click here to read all about it.














And, lastly, #5. Liz Lemon.

Otherwise known as Tina Fey's character on NBC's 30 Rock. Dennis and I watched an episode a couple seasons ago and weren't really crazy about it, but this year we gave it another shot, and now we don't miss an episode. It's so dang funny! Liz Lemon is my favorite. Enjoy this quick little montage of Liz Lemon-isms. Funny stuff, people. Funny stuff.

Click the picture of Mama Kat at the beginning of the post to check out more brilliant Writer's Workshop posts from other bloggers.