LootCrate April & May

So i wasn't going to blog about my Lootcrate since it seemed, Everyone on YouTube seemed to do an "unboxing" video.  So rather than video, I snapped pics of my loot as I opened them. I'll Start with April since it was the most recent one, then move on to May.

For those that Don't know what the loot crate looks like.  

It's a really nice black box, mine will be a new stand for my monitor after this.

TA-DA!!  the Loot!!

1st up is this thing. according to the E-zine (click here) that goes with the loot Crate it's an

Adventure Time collectible Tin with a random Figure inside.  I don't plan on opening this, and I have NO Clue what Adventure time is.  

 Next up is the first awesome thing in the Box (and the reason I gave Lootcrate a 2nd Try).  "Minecraft Hangers"  Another random item inside the Package. I got the Zombie :)  as long as it's not Steve I'm good. There was apparently 10 to collect.  Now i need to find out if some place in Shreveport sells them.

SWEET!!!  It's Small but useful and has a long time memory of childhood fondness attached.  Of course instead of a Sword it's the Lootcrate logo Link is holding over his head. I think i can forgive them for that.  Just this time.

EPIC WIN!! This by far the Best Item in the box. 

A T-shirt of Link from the Legend of Zelda Game Series.

The FriendZone Soundtrack.  Ok...so no idea what that is, 

but apparently it's a YouTube Show on the Polaris Channel.

The music is techno/80's - 90's gaming music.  Not bad really.

Up in the right corner is the May LootCrate badge.

So the sheet on the left is stickers of the folks at the Polaris YouTube channel.  The middle is a sheet with two temp tats of Markiplier's Pink Mustache (A YouTuber).  The Final Sheet is another YouTuber called Captain Sparklez.  Don't know any of them, so these to me are..meh.

That's it for all the stuff in the May Lootcrate.  I give it a 4 Star Rating. 

Now for the April Lootcrate  "DRAGONS"

There's a reason Ii didn't initially do a Blog on the April Lootcrate.  I was very...VERY disappointing in it. 

I was told this is Saya Stark, Obviously from Game of Thrones.
Meh...I was hoping it was one of the Dragons.
Impressed??  No not really...It's not a DRAGON.

Anyone a fan of this Character?

This is Obviously "The Nord" from the Elder Scrolls series. 

More specifically this one is for the Elder Scrolls Online.
Was i impressed?  

NOPE! Again..It's Not a DRAGON!!!

 I had seen a few YouTube vids of this guy, so I chose NOT to open him.

He's still in his Black Packaging waiting for me to find him a good home. 

This i can accept.  It's a 20 sided Die, granted it's a LARGE 20 sided Die. 

I play D&D and these are necessary, especially if you are playing a Dragon.  

Not exactly a Dragon, but not a total fail.

Not much to say on these other than they were Yummy, but i've had better.

This is nice, I like this one. It's a Screen cleaner for your smart phone, and you can stick it to the back of your smart phone so you have it as a decoration.  Also, It has a Dragon on it!!  

Why would ANYONE want to be a DragonSlayer!?  They are the most wonderful creature in exsistance!  OK  a few hundred Cows or sheep might be lost, but They are DRAGONS  they eat alot!! Still, this was a win compared to the Dorky Game of Thrones Figure ( IMO )

Lastly a real 20 sided Die and the Loot crate Badge. 

This Box was a 2 Stars at best. the Dice, dog chain, screen cleaner, and Jerky are the ONLY things worth having in a "DRAGON" themed crate.  A NORD?  come on really!?  I would of Rather had a Small 1 inch tall Pewter Figure of a Dragon, a bobble head Dragon, or even some collectible art cards of DRAGONS,  than the random GOT figure and Nord Figure!! If your are going to have a Dragon Theme, at Least have DRAGONS not "Things Associated with Dragons" 

Repurposed old books!

So today My Roommate and I  set up a booth at a local Craft fair.  It’s always nice, and we see such neat things. So many items are unique and different.  The foods are also unique and diverse.  I wish I could touch on all the vendors , but there were 40 there and I’m not going to be able to make it through them all.  So I picked, one, and an AWESOME one and that!

Junk Town Revival, run by  Brett & Leigh Chamerlain. They get old hardback books (I’m talking MANY MANY  years old.) and turn them into Journals to be written in.  They even leave some of the pages, if they can be salvaged,  from the original book in them.  They had All kinds at the fair and even had some with OLD OLD photographs, They were the most UNIQUE and interesting Things to see.  I picked up two of them I was so impressed with these. I can only Show the pic of one, since the other is a gift for Fathers day!!

The Cover

1st Page/Explanation

A section to show one side is the Journal, and the other pages from the original book.

So, interested?   Then Please Visit www.junktownrevival.com 

and tell them Adrianne send you J

Why are you decorating for Christmas? You’re Wiccan!

I've been asked this a couple of times, and in different ways.  I wasn't born into Wicca; I found the path in my early college years.  I was raised Catholic, celebrated Christmas with my family, knew that the holiday was about the birth of Jesus and celebrated it.   As I got older I noticed things I hadn't noticed before like the odd candle holder for 8 Candles (the menorah) and the blue and silver decorations that took all of 2 shelves at the department stores or Wal-Mart for the Jewish families.  Just to Clarify, I grew up in the Bible belt, so we didn't have a heavy Jewish Community, so the holiday items  and decorations for Hanukkah weren't always on the shelves.  All I knew was Christmas, Christmas Carols, Hot Cocoa, Stockings, Christmas tree, Ornaments, Decorating, Santa, Reindeer, TV Shows, & most important PRESENTS!!  As a kid it was the anticipation and Thrill of receiving them, it wasn't until I got older I found the joy in Giving them!

I rent and don’t usually decorate the house, or my room for the holidays. The most that is put up is a wreath on the outside door.  I do my decorating at work, which is a Catholic hospital.  My co-workers know I’m Wiccan, and most have asked all the typical questions.  So when Christmas comes around, the newer people are the ones asking “Why are you decorating for Christmas? you’re Wiccan!”  I tell them this:  I decorate because it makes me smile. I do not celebrate the Religious Holiday of Christmas, but I Celebrate the Commercial Christmas.  The gift giving, the decorating, the Joy this season has always brought.  I decorate so the patients can enjoy it and smile, it also makes me smile when I hear them say “oh that’s cute”  It’s my Gift to them so they have something cheerful to look at while they are transported to another department or just getting exercise in the hallways.  It also helps my Co-workers and other Hospital employees when they come through our floor keep their spirits up when they are having a rough day or one that is taxing their patience.   

Why are you decorating for Christmas? You’re Wiccan!

In short, I’m decorating for everyone!

Pet Therapy Pups!

*OK I say pups, but they are full grown dogs, but to me they are all pups since they are just so loveable!

That’s right, we have wonderful dogs that come to the hospital wagging their tails and getting petted by all kinds of people.  From patients to Nurses, these puppies paws were pooped by the time they get to us on the 3^rd floor.  Still they are calm and sweet natured and love to get petted. 

I work for a Christus Health Hospital  and this was the 2^nd time (well at least for me)  the Pet therapy Pups have made their appearance on our floor.  The program has been with our local system for 7 years and started in the Children’s area.   They have since expanded to the Adult patients. 

After inquiring, I’ve learned they have about 8-10 dogs in the pool of pups, to pull from during the month, and they come visit the 2^nd and 3^rd Wednesdays of the month, which is so much fun to have them around. 

To be a Therapy Pup, you got to be certified through Pet Partners. I don’t know what the criteria or training involves.  Wonder if it’s a Doggy Boot Camp? LOL

I attached photo’s below of the two cute pups that visited recently and their owners.  I Like the Golden Lab best, he kept sneaking in kisses ;)  His name is Cooper, he is 5 years old , and he looked like "Doug"  from the Pixar movie UP! His human owner is Sherry. 

 

How can you NOT LOVE that happy cute face!??



This adorable beauty is Ella, a Shelty, & her human Tammy.

 

NOLA Road trip :)

What a fun weekend to have for a birthday!  So let’s start off with the drive. Melissa, me, and Mike on a 5 hour drive, keeping each other entertained and chatting, and also catching up on the latest in each of our lives. After dropping Mike off at his friends, we headed to our Hotel, The Wyndham Garden Hotel on Baronne Plaza.  Unfortunately there is no place to just temporarily Park since there is only ONE drive in and out of the below ground parking area (Which is $20 a day).  Lovely room though, flat screen TV about 30 channels, Needs some touch up work as far as water spots and odd stains.  Nice bathtub/shower room.  Didn't think to take pictures, but you can visit Here to see a picture of it.

So after a short break at the hotel, Melissa and I decided to wander the French Quarter and find dinner. We made it to Jackson Square and saw several places, a few of them rather full, or a little more upscale that what we were dressed for. So we found a place called Café Pontalba, the prices were reasonable and had a nice selection. The atmosphere was nice also, all the window/doors were open, but it DIDN'T help with the heat/humidity.  It was still miserably hot!  The sweet tea was really good, that or I was just hot enough to appreciate it being cold. We split a popcorn shrimp po-boy and if we hadn't of put the cocktail sauce on the sandwich it would have had NO flavor at all.  The shrimp tasted like Frozen shrimp, the bread was really really stiff. Absolutely no flavor without the cock tail sauce.  That’s just the one item, we didn't have anything else, so maybe some of the other entrees were better.  The waitress wasn't the friendliest, but she wasn't rude either.  The bathroom is what KILLED me. It was stupid really.  It is a CLOSET with ONE stall, and ONE toilet.  Why bother with a Stall if you only have the ONE toilet?! Seriously they should just take the Stall out and put a lock on the door itself and give a bit more leg room!  

So done with That place, we move on to wander the Quarter even more since we still had a bit more daylight left to burn.  We  paused by the Jackson Square Fence to look at some Artwork, Mostly video game characters, I did like the Jack Skellington from “Nightmare before Christmas” We barely stopped when the artist had hopped up to greet us and tell us he was willing to sell the small ones at 2 for $30.  We got a cactus saying “Free Hugs”  and the Jack Skellington I was admiring. I couldn't read the small signature, but I found him on the FB page. Artists Of Jackson Square. His name is Justin Courtney and he told me when I asked his name that day, that the “J.A.” in his signature didn't stand for “Jack Ass.”  You can find him at Art and Arsenic .

So wandering from there we found ourselves on Decatur Street, we were trying to make it to the French Market, but got there just a little to late. However we walked by Café Du Mond and since there was a line, and we just ate, decided to save them for later or breakfast.  However we did end up in the Hex:Old World Witchery while a small shop, it was packed with wonderful goodies any witch or pagan could possible want!  We even met a woman there who said she was a fae.  With reddish contacts and very outrageous personality, I could believe it! After this we made our way back to the hotel to crash for the night.

Day 2:

So after waking up we opted for breakfast. Before heading out we were slightly bummed that it was Raining, it was expected, but we’d hoped it would only rain at night.  Thankfully it was not a hard down pour, that would of kept us indoors for part of the day.   The first thought for breakfast was to go to the PJ’s Coffee in the Hotel Lobby, but once down stairs we changed our minds and opted for real food at the adjacent Restaurant “The Original City Diner”

Service was LACKING. Our waitress tried to be attentive, but seemed to be preoccupied, but not with other customers as there was only Us, a fellow behind us, and a couple a few booths in front of us.  She forgot our silverware, and had to be flagged down to refill coffee and bring us our check. The food was good, Though if you get an omelets, if it doesn't say it has cheese, request it.  Otherwise it’s a flat egg with meat rolled up inside it (IMO EVERY omelet should be Cheese first then other stuff added).  The Grits, However, were OMG, I am Drooling thinking about how Deliciously Evil they were. Creamy and smooth not clumpy or runny!  Just a little Salt and a little butter and it was just PERFECT!  Sorry dad, they even beat out yours!  We decided to come back the next morning for Grits again.  I think the secret is either heavy cream or buttermilk.  I Might have to test this theory out one day.

We went back to the hotel and after some discussing and web surfing decided to go to the Aquarium since it would be an indoor activity and also.   It was BOGO for military with ID.  So next time maybe we’ll take the Trolley down, since we walked the WHOLE way down (8 blocks give or take) to the Aquarium. Nice walk just not so fun in the rain.  We also had to stop at PayLess to get new Shoes & socks for Melissa since hers were retaining water. So after wandering the wonderful Audubon Aquarium we were ready for lunch. 

So a ferry ride across the river we went to the “Dry Dock Café.”  While waiting for the Ferry a couple asked about what was on the other side of the river, and Melissa told them about the Café and that it was a good place to go.  They were also thinking about lunch, so they followed us there for lunch. I got a Delicious Cup of Gumbo and Melissa got a yummy Fried Shrimp PO-boy sandwich. We also split a Black Forest Cake Dessert, it was moist and scrumptious. Service was a little slow, but it was a little busy. At least the lady was pleasant and chatty when she did come around.  The couple we suggested the Dry Dock Café to said they enjoyed it and that it was definitely a non-touristy place.

So after lunch our game plan was to go back to the hotel and grab a nap, so we could stay up late and go down Bourbon Street to find a place called “The Dungeon” a bar that apparently looks like a Cave on the inside.  So after a nice hour and a half (or so) Nap. We did a Quick Skype call to Melissa’s Husband and her boys, then headed out to find dinner.  After wandering all the way down to Decatur street Again we hadn't found anything of real interest that didn't have a LONG line out the doors, or a price that was reasonable, or obviously had a dress code to dine in. I was looking across the street and saw a menu, but no sign. I pointed it out and we walked across to take a look.  We Found ourselves going inside a little bar/restaurant called Mojo Lounge. We decided to split our dinners so we could both try each others food.  I got Three Cheese Tortellini with grilled chicken and Melissa got a Prosciutto & Fresh Mozzarella Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette.   We also got a small garden salad before our food was delivered, that was very good!  It wasn't just Iceberg lettuce and shredded carrots it was Kale, spinach, and Dandelion leaves with tomatoes and Ranch Dressing.  It was a very nice salad.  We ate a few bites each before waiting on our Entrees Which felt like Forever!  We were both kinda wondering if it was going to be worth it, but we were not disappointed.  Both meals were delicious! I just wish i'd of gotten some pictures of this!!

So we wandered back up Bourbon trying to go a little slow since we had about an hour till 9p.  We paused looking into the window of a place called “The Swamp” and got a laugh out of the guy entertaining/karaoke the crowd.  I turned to keep going and had to stop since a bouncer for the club was standing there with arms open motioning for a hug.  What the hell!  I give him a Hug and laugh, Melissa was laughing and we were just going to keep going, except my hugger had me turn and the other bouncer took my other arm and I heard Melissa laugh “Guess we are going in anyways!”   So, we went upstairs where it wasn't as loud, and had 3 for 1 drinks.  You get 3 for 1 even if all you want is 1 (1 beer cost $6 mind you).  When asked what to do about the other two, the bartender said “We don’t care, throw ‘em away.” To me that is a waste of money/revenue.  That’s just me though. So with half a beer drunk we toss the other two (I hate beer, that’s why I didn't drink one) we head out, I ask if she wants to wait for The Dungeon, but at this point she says no, she had a drink and was ready to go back to the hotel. So off we go. I guess I forgot to mention that somewhere in our wandering after eating at Mojo’s I tripped and did a LOVELY number to my knee/shin.  Both of which are Bruised and the first two nights were REALLY painful. Advil Helped thankfully.

So, Sunday we get up a little early and go back to “The Original City Diner” for Grits, I got bacon and Melissa got Ham, both of which were good too. Once our server got into his grove he was great, but took him 15 minutes to get going, I will say this, it was getting packed because it was loaded with NOLA Saints fans.   So we got done and headed to Krystals to get 2 Steamer packs of Krystal Burgers (that’s 24 of their sliders per box) one for us as trip food and the other for her mom.  Since apparently Krystal’s doesn’t have any other locations near us.  We go to Meterie,La  to pick up Mike, but since we were a little early and had time, we were going to just ride around and see if we found anywhere neat to shop.  Well, in our pursuit we saw a pizza place called Theo's Neighborhood Pizza.  WOW!  That was the best Pizza.  We werent’ all that hungry but thought it might be a nice pace to stop, and we were NOT disappointed. It looked and tasted homemade!  Best stuff Ever!!

After that it was a 5 hour trip home snacking on Cold Krystal Burgers :)

Taco Pot Pies!

Yes I know, I've been gone for a few months.  Just haven't felt the motivation to post things.  Anyways :)  Last post I went through the FaceBook Muffin Tin Chicken Pot Pie Recipie that Maly and I made for our Friday get-to-gether. The following weekend we made Taco Muffin Tin Pot Pies!!  They were AWESOME!!  We used the same recipe for the Chicken pot pies, but swapped the chicken for beef and used taco seasoning.

The typical ingredients (Damn banana's snuck in again)

mmmm  Beef!

Bisquick mix :)

first layer in the pan

the ground beef mixed with frozen peas and carrots, and chopped onion

Beef mix in the pan with cheese added for numminess!

MMMM Melted cheesy goodness :)

Ok  a few of them broke apart before hitting the plate (needed more Bisquick mix and less beef mix), Maly had a great idea to just wrap those in a Flour tortilla which was REALLY good!!

FaceBook Muffin Tin Chicken Pot Pie

OK  Next Recipe!  Maly wanted to try this one out, and as for me I'll try any new recipe as long as it's not onion heavy!  So With that She mentioned this one I posted on her Facebook page some time ago from "Appealing Meals With Amy"  Here I'll attach the Screen Shot! Click the pic to go to the actually page for the recipe!

So With this screen shot on my Ipad, and a call to Maly to make sure we had everything, I headed over to start the cooking adventure!  I say adventure because I never know what kinda traffic hic-up I might encounter!  Also, I usually stop at Sonic for a Cherry Vanilla Coke Zero.  I didn't this time, but I should of!

So Starting off this meal we gathered the Culprits in our cooking Experiment! See picture below, and ignore the Mr Coffee, usually it's the banana's that get the cameo, but unfortunately they were unavailable. Mr Coffee Gladly stepped in. 

So With everything Gathered, Maly thawed the Chicken in a small frying pan with some oil and seasonings, As for me I mixed up the Bisquick Mix!

As Instructed I put less than a tablespoon in each greased muffin cup to start with.

Then I mixed together the other ingredients (without the chicken since it was still cooking) I put a 1/4 cup in each muffin cup and when the chicken was done I plopped two or three cubes on top. I will say the Veggie mix wasn't enough for all the muffin cups so I just pulled out the frozen veggies (except onions, I was curious if it effected the taste) and added 1/4 cup to each muffin cup and sprinkled the salt, pepper, and garlic on them and added the chicken on top.

The Bottom 4 are sans onions.

So filling in the rest of the space with the Bisquick mix we were set to go!

The instructions said bake for 25-30, so we set the timer at 25 and then since they didn't look quite done, I got the bright idea and sprinkled cheese on top as an added touch and put them back in for the last 5 minutes. 

What we got was a rather yummy meal served with a Side Salad. The Next time we do this, It's going to be with ground beef and taco seasonings!  I'll let you know how that comes out!!