R.I.P. Alan Quartermaine

After almost thirty years playing Dr. Alan Quartermaine on General Hospital, Stuart Damon played his final scene on my long time (guilty pleasure) soap. I personally think it stinks that they killed off this veteran actor. There are several characters who I would have preferred to see whacked off such as Georgie Jones. To make matters worse for me, I DVR the show since I work. I was a few days behind and trying to catch up this morning. I watched Friday's episode (Fridays are always cliffhangers in soap land) where Alan took a gasping breath and began suffering another coronary. Then I deleted the episode to move on to the next one. Unfortunately, I deleted Monday's episode instead. So, I missed the whole thing! I have been sucked in to this storyline for the past several weeks, and whammo, I missed payday. I watched Tuesday's hourlong weeping ceremony, weeping by both GH characters and myself, but it just isn't fair that in a moment of haste I let Alan down. I hope it was your swan song Dr. Q!

9 Days

Nine days from now, I will be waking up at the crack of dawn and leaving on a jetplane. I will be escaping the chilly New England weather and touching down on a tarmac that will be sizzling in the mid day heat. I will follow the herd through immigration, grab my bags and jump in a rental car that will navigate a road with an amazing view of the azure sea. I will arrive here:

This is our dream house, our home away from home, our villa in Aruba.

We finished building it in September. We went down to finish up some minor details in November and December. This will be our first full week of sun and fun in the new house. I can't wait to relax, make a chilled cosmo, and dip my feet in here:

As you can see, we weren't fooling around. We put in our own private pool. The beach is a two minute car ride down the street. I will be sure to pack plenty of sunblock. Now, who knows how I can magically lose 20 pounds before I go??

Recipe

Donna's Chocolate Chip Cookies

3 cups of flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt

2 sticks softened unsalted butter
1 cup of sugar
1 overflowing cup of light brown sugar
2 eggs, room temp
2 tsp vanilla
1 bag semi sweet morsels

Combine butter until creamy, add sugars and mix until smooth. Add eggs, one at a time, then throw in the vanilla.

Gradually add dry mixture, and mix until incorporated. Add chips.

Bake at 375 degrees for 9 minutes and 44 seconds. I under bake the cookies because I like them to be soft. I pull them out just as they are starting to look brown. Let stand on cookie sheet for a few minutes and transfer to a wire baking rack for cooling.

Tips
*If you like the raw dough, put aside before you add the chips. I think the chips change the taste of the dough.
*For a real decadent treat, bake your cookies and then when cooled, "frost" them with some of the dough, it is heavenly!

Perfection!

Who doesn't love a homemade chocolate chip cookie? No one I know that is for sure, especially when I am the one who baked them! My cockiness is valid, I assure you. Making delicious chocolate chip cookies is what I am known for.

Each step is delicious! The batter is actually one of my most favorite things in the world, so rich and creamy. Then, the fresh out of the oven smell is to die for! And finally, the finished product served with an ice cold glass of milk. I can't think of anything better for a frigid winter day!

Things That Make You Go Hmmm

Daddy oh! Bridget’s pregnant, but Tom has no plans to marry ex-galpal

Anyone else smell a trap?

Let's Make Whoopie (Pies)!

Ok, I don't know about any of you, but I am completely hooked on Whoopie Pies. While watching Road Tasted on the Food Network, I saw the Boys visit Gardiner, Maine where they sampled "Wicked Whoopie Pies". I kept thinking about them, but never ordered them, because every day I pretend it's finally the day to start my diet. That's where good friends come in handy. I had just told SK about these delicacies, and that very afternoon, she found them at our local specialty food store. I am a purist when it comes to Whoopie, so I got the original, but check out all the flavors on the website. There has to be something for everyone to be tempted by! Check them out www.wickedwhoopies.com

Wanna Play Footsie?

Yes, I am a sucker for shopping for anything cute for girls. These handpainted baby girls shoes can be found at www.theathleteschild.com along with some pretty hip stuff. They have a great selection of designs and can even take custom orders. Makes me want to have another baby girl! Maybe they can create some designs for bigger girls. I will send a shout out to the store proprieters and find out!

Happy Valentine's Day to everyone! We are in the midst of some ugly weather here in Boston and it is not in the least romantic. I have already ordered the Doc to NOT send overpriced flowers. Instead, we had a lovely dinner on Monday night at a great local restaurant called Ten Tables (www.tentables.net). You guessed it, there really are only ten tables. The food is heavenly, the prices are just right, and it was very cozy. I give it five stars!

Ruffles Anyone?

This has to be one of the cutest bathing suits I have ever seen. You bet I ordered one for Madigan already. It is on www.cwdkids.com The only problem is that it is on backorder until April. We go to Aruba in March, so I was hoping for Madigan to strut her stuff in this on the beach. We'll just have to settle for last years suits unless a Spring Miracle happens!

Being new to blogger, I need to figure out how to link things and how to post internet pictures on here. If any of you out there are patient enough to give me some sage advice, bring it on!

Backround Check

I was in such a hurry to create my first post that I did not properly introduce myself! I am a mid 30's (can that be right?) mother of one four year old girl named Madigan, stepmother to two teenaged boys and wife of almost seven years to my husband. I grew up in Massachusetts on the South Shore in a pretty average, middle class family. I work four days in a week as the Practice Manager in my husband's medical practice. He is an OB/GYN who works like a maniac.

Some of my likes? I love hydrangeas, greek salad, and little girls with bows.
Some of my dislikes? Wearing wet socks, peanut butter and getting my car inspection sticker.

Pets? Two Siamese cats, Tigger and Bailey who are seven years old.
Hobbies? Reading, cooking and reading blogs!

Ok, now that the formalities are out of the way, what to talk about today?

Yesterday, my friends got together in support of our friend Deana's running of the Boston Marathon. We went bowling and I will admit, I am feeling the burn! Yes, from bowling. I can't even say I am out of shape because you have to once be in shape to now be out, but Man, bowling is rough! I won't even get in to the fact that the preschool crowd had better scores than their parents! File under: I will never actually be the one running in the Marathon!

T.G.I.F.?

I work Monday thru Thursday, so Thursday is really my Friday. I always have an extra bounce in my step today knowing that the weekend is here and Grey's Anatomy and Men in Trees are on tonight....extra bonus! The latest celeb scoop has Anne Heche leaving her husband for her costar, imagine that! He is pretty to look at. Think Vegas is accepting any wagers on how long that will last?

The big plans for the weekend are: Friday night, a possible sleep over pajama jam for my daughter Madigan. We're hoping her cousin can make it over. Then Saturday night is our office Christmas Party, that's right Christmas in February! It will be at Fleming's Steak House in Boston. They are purveyors of one of the best steaks to be found in these parts. And don't get me started on their Cosmopolitans! Then Sunday, we are off to a charity bowling party. One of my best friends is running in the Boston Marathon and she is raising $$ for The Dana Farber Cancer Institute. We are all very proud of her and we definitely have more fun cheering her on than she does running!

So, whatever day it is for you, make it a good one!

What's In A Name?

DMMLANDCRUISER, not your average name, I know. But somehow, due to email mostly, it has come to be such a big part of me. It all started in 1998 when I was in graduate school (Master's of Public Administration). The internet and email were a necessity in communicating with professors and classmates. I had to come up with an email address. We did not have internet capabilities at work, so I had to start fresh. My initials are DMM and I drove a Toyota Landcruiser and there you have it!

Now, I drive a Sequoia (should have kept the Landcruiser) but I am not changing the name. It is a bit embarassing at times to tell people my email address, but I love to originality of it. So, there you have it!

All right readers, I will sign off now after that enlightening post. Time to settle in and get Lost. Can't even tell you how excited I am that it is back on ABC with sixteen all new episodes! Run Jack, run!

Here I Am!

Hello Blog World! After almost a year of reading, I am now blogging! I must admit, half the reason why I am just writing my first post is because I had no idea how to create a blog. I decided it was high time to just try and figure it out. Good luck to me!

The second reason I have been so hesitant is because I am boring! I have no crafty skills to speak of, my talent list is short and I am a busy working mother. So, who would want to read any of my random thoughts?

But, alas, here I am. I will do my best to keep it amusing and interesting. Here we go!