Single Digit Weather

As the temperature works its way down the thermometer and settles into the single digits (with (-) windshield!) I have chosen to make myself comfortable in front of the television with a bowl of mashed potatoes with garlic sauteed in butter. On the schedule for this evening is Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (the only Harry Potter film left in the library) and maybe Bride Wars.

I love Harry Potter, but the Goblet of Fire is neither my favorite film or novel. My favorite novel is definitely Prisoner of Azkaban (no spell check, Azkaban, not Databank). I like the idea of Sirius in that Harry is not completely orphaned. J.K. Rowling also introduces us to Hogsmeade and its many wonders including but not limited to butter beer, Zonko's Joke Shop, and of course, Honeyduke's. I also love the passing on of the Marauder's Map from Fred and George Weasley to Harry. While I'm not a fan of dementors, I like that chocolate is the medicine that remedies the bad feelings that result from mild dementor exposure. And, I love Lupin. He's such a kind man.

http://msfizz.sodastreamusa.com/2010/11/18/butterbeer-is-here/ 

For me, the idea of the magical world is more exciting to me than the actual plot of each novel. I value the plots to the extent that they help us better understand the wonders and also limitations of the magical world but for me Harry Potter is all about Chocolate Frogs, pool sized bathtubs with exciting bubble releasing faucets, the Room of Requirement, Healers at Saint Mungoes, the incredible castle that is Hogwarts, and the list goes on (likely will elaborate in a later post, Harry Potter is a recurring theme in my thought process and life in general).

http://z6.invisionfree.com/Hogwarts_School_OWW/ar/t221.htm

Stay warm (or cool, depending on your geographic location).

Vegan Truffles

Watched Forks Over Knives with my parents the other night. I guess we might try to go vegan now. Since I'm on break, I'm too lazy to do my own research. I did skim a Dean Ornish book we had lying around though. Lots of overlap with information presented in Forks Over Knives. Both sources presented some pretty convincing arguments for "plant based diets." Too bad I love goat cheese, smoked salmon and bacon so much.

I tried making these vegan truffles the next day. They were really rich. 

Here's where I found the recipe: http://www.veganbaking.net/candies-and-truffles/790-raw-coconut-almond-truffles

Also, Hillary appears to have recovered. 
Thank goodness. 

http://video.msnbc.msn.com/nightly-news/50391453/#50391453

Poor Life Decision of the Day

Water and cell phones do not mix. Why I thought it was safe to check my texts in the bathtub, I do not know. That's a complete lie, I know exactly why I brought my cell phone to the bathroom with me. It's winter, I was cold and wanted to take a hot bath, and I though it would be a great time to reply to my texts. That is, until I dropped my phone in the bathtub.

It's even worse because due to a combination of events including and limited to my sisters losing/breaking their phones and my newest phone getting stolen (the thief wracked up $320 in data fees!), I am down to my last phone. There are no more spares. My only phone is now sitting in a sealed plastic bag of brown rice. In 24 hours I will remove it and see if it turns on, and actually functions.

Life lesson, don't bring cell phones into the bathroom, like not even near one. My dad's iPhone fell out of his pj bottoms into the toilet a few weeks ago and that was the end of it (well, the ringer stopped working). In the words of my father "It will be the most expensive bath you've ever taken." Hopefully he's wrong.