An Idiot Abroad

Every single episode has me cracking up. 

The premise:

Carl Pilkington is an English bloke that just never had an interest to travel and was content with his life.  Well, Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant make him travel all over the world, setting him up in dingy hotels, and partake in local customs, however unpleasant and uncomfortable they are.

The stuff Carl says and the awkardness about him is what makes the show.  I can watch every episode multiple times and still laugh my butt off. 

There's only 3 seasons of this series, so it's an easy marathon watch. 

Check it out. 

An Idiot Abroad.  It's on Netflix and possibly through your cable provider.

You'll be glad you were introduced to Carl Pilkington.


My favorite episode:  episode 3 of the first season.
He's floating around in the Dead Sea and reacts to something the camera guy mentions. 

I can't. 

You just have to watch. 

A Cat's Life

Old Man Winter

Like many parts of the country, winter is leaving his mark.

I've been lucky enough I didn't have to work in the worst of it, so I'm loving this snow!  

Stay warm my friends!

30 Before 30: Learn to Sew

I can cross something else on my list!

 

I actually did this back in September and never got around to mentioning it til now. 

 

We took the dog to the beach and for the roadtrip, I wanted a seat cover.  But I didn't want to use any of the ones I saw in stores.  Then I figured this would be an easy first time sewing project.  Off to the fabric stores I went.

 

I ended up finding clearance outdoor fabric for $6/yard.  Heck yes!  Outdoor fabric is meant to used as upholstery for outdoor furniture, so they're a little durable and easier to wipe off than other fabrics.  And the design was way cuter than those plain ole covers I was seeing commercially.  I mean, my dog has to have some class.

 

After purchasing 2 yards of fabric, thread, and bungee straps, I spent around $20.  Not too bad.

 

First, I hemmed up all the sides to get rid of the frayed edges.  Then I sewed the straps into loops on one side.  On the opposite side, I folded over the top and sewed additonal straps, so all I have to do is drape that side over the top of the back seat.

 

And that was it. 

 

 

Now Gypsy can sit in my backseat with her dirty little paws and not stain my upholstery.  This also prevents her from falling onto the floor everytime I turn or brake, which she did all the time. 

This was a good beginner project.  I winged it without measuring anything out and had a problem aligining the straps.  But the design on the fabric was forgiving and hid my uneven stitching and mess ups. 

And since then, I've had other uses with my sewing machine.  I've fixed hems and holes, so, yep, I can say I know how to sew!

Tasty Thursday: Peppermint and Pretzel White Chocolate Bark

Need a way to use up those leftover candy canes from Christmas?  Crush em up!  Along with crushed pretzels and white chocolate, you've got yourself a sweet and salty treat.

The last time I made chocolate bark, it didn't turn out so well.  They were as fragile as egg shells and started to melt as soon as they were touched.

Mindy at Creative Juice made the chocolate bark in a way that was sturdy enough to break into pieces but not melt at the sheer touch of fingers.

Here's what you do:

-Crush up some pretzels.  I crushed a handful at a time until I had about a cup.

-Crush up 2 candy canes...or more, whatevs.

-Melt some white chocolate.  I used 1 bag of Tollhouse chips and got about a square foot of chocolate to break up.  I melted half of the chocolates at a time.

-Pour the melted chocolate onto some parchment paper.  Spread it out to make it even along the surface.

-Sprinkle half of the crushed pretzels over the chocolate while it's still melty.  I pressed the bigger pieces into the chocolate to make sure they're nice and snug.

-Then go and do something to pass the time.  The chocolate has to cool completely and harden.

-Melt the rest of the chocolate and pour over the cool chocolate, spreading it evenly.

-Sprinkle the rest of the pretzels and crushed candy canes, pressing the bigger pieces into the chocolate.  

-Twiddle your thumbs while waiting for the chocolate to cool and harden.

-Break up the chocolate into pieces...or eat the thing whole.  Your choice.