A piping hot bowl of soup and a fine coffee beverage...

According to my readers, a piping hot bowl of soup comes in first for a favorite winter treat. Second, is a coffee beverage. What is your favorite soup? How about a coffee beverage? Leave a comment and share. I personally love chicken tortilla soup or broccoli cheese soup. My favorite coffee beverages are caramel macchiato, mocha frappuccino, and (only sold at Christmas time) holiday mint latté at Starbuck's. There's nothing quite like a bowl of soup when it's cold or rainy, or a nice coffee beverage at the end of a bad day. Add some Beatles music to that, and it's basically pure bliss.

A Sesame Street kind of day...

Sunny days sweeping the clouds away... (I hear some windy, gusty weather is in store later, so right now I'm going to enjoy what's left of the sunshine...it's just a Sesame Street kind of morning.)

On the road again...

Since this blog normally deals with travel and related diversions, I have to decided to dedicate this post to bad driving, and things that really burn my biscuits, so to speak. Yesterday, I was in 3:00 traffic in my university town, and my nerves were in shreds by the time I returned back to my town of residence. For this reason, I am compiling a list of driving habits that annoy me the most, and I hope you will leave comments with some of yours! (For all you drivers who never get ruffled by anything, I'm sure there's something that annoys you. You just don't say it. So now you have the opportunity to state your driving grievances in the comment box!) And away we go...

1. Slow cars in the left lane. I want to pass, but you are clogging up the lane. The car on the right is riding along side you and there is no way around. Why don't you move? The left lane is for passing. (Yesterday a car was doing 10 under the speed limit in the left lane. She then proceeded to turn off into Blockbuster. I guarantee she'll have a late fee.)

2. Tapping brakes for no apparent reason. There's no one in front of you. Why are you tapping?

3. Slow cars that suddenly decide to speed up. You weren't going fast enough. I start to go around you, and you suddenly speed up 20 mph. Why?

4. Pulling out in front of me on a major highway. I don't have time to slow down. What are you doing?

5. Challengers. It's late at night. I'm very tired. I'm trying to get home. You pull up next to me and go the exact same speed in the alternate lane. I can feel you staring at me. Do you really think I'm going to do anything? And...you force me to slow down 10 mph to get you away from me. I just want to go home, and now it's going to take me even longer.

6. No signal. I'm traveling along happily on my journey. Suddenly, and without warning, you slam on your brakes. My heart rate hits an all time high. You proceed to turn into Dunkin Donuts. Why couldn't you have signaled?

7. 4 way stops. It's really quite simple. He goes. She goes. I go. He goes. We all take turns. Just like we learned in kindergarten. Yet...you go right after the car in front of you goes. It's not your turn!

8. Tailgaters. There is an entire left lane for passing. Use it. I do. He does. We all do. You should too.

9. Texters. Do you really think you can drive and send your friend a text about how you can't possibly understand why he stood you up again? No! First of all, you're upset and putting extra emphasis into that text. Have you forgotten that you are behind the wheel of an enormous metal apparatus that could a) run over someone b) run into someone's car. Stop it!

10. Finally, music blasters. You like Diddy. We get it. Do you have to blast it so loudly that all we hear is a loud thumping sound? I love the Beatles. I don't blast them to let people know I have a Beatles CD. Anyone can buy one. I don't need to share it with the entire highway.

Thank you for this cathartic post. I look forward to reading your comments. And...drive safely.

Go, go, go see Joseph at Barter Theatre...

Andrew Lloyd Webber's Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat has always been a favorite musical of mine. I adore the version PBS produced with Donny Osmond starring as Joseph. Donny played Joseph in the Toronto production of the show, and has a beautiful voice and I love what he does with the character.

Today, I went to Barter Theatre and was really looking forward to seeing the show. As I walked in, I was immediately impressed with the set and awaited the show's start with anticipation. That's when the mimes (dressed in various colors) came out and started interacting with audience members (i.e. juggling, getting audience members to do the wave, etc.). I found it quite bizarre and wondered what in the world was going on. Then, the mimes approached the stage and became Joseph's brothers! I looked at my mom with a disappointed face, and was honestly not looking forward to the rest of the show. I couldn't believe it.

THEN...Joseph in Godspell-esque makeup (not in mime costume) began singing "Any Dream Will Do" and everything changed. His mime-like, ballet movements were beautiful and conveyed his message perfectly. I actually truly admired the way they used a small ensemble to play all of the roles. The brothers changed into various roles (some of the brothers were played by women, so they could easily change into the various dance costumes and sequences). I left the show wanting to return again. Richard Rose (artistic director of Barter Theatre) has outdone himself with this creative interpretation of a beloved musical. It just goes to show you that sometimes quirky non-traditional approaches to shows we love seeing a certain way can end up being our new favorite.

Joseph... runs through April 18th at Barter Theatre in Abindgon, Virginia. I encourage you to see this amazing show. You will not regret it! (And odds are you'll leave in a peppy, perky mood singing every song for days and days...)

Snow cream...

It snowed last night, and the roads were covered today. No school. No meetings. My day was basically canceled. The great thing? Mom made snow cream! I haven't had it in years, and it was delicious. So I encourage you to go out and find your own fresh snow and follow this comforting recipe and transport yourself back to yesteryear. Happy Snow Day!

Kick off your Sunday shoes...

Last night I watched Footloose, a movie I have not seen in several years. I love that movie! What a fun movie with lots of great music. I recommend it for a winter movie night! Take a trip back to the 80s. I was actually one year old when this movie came out. :) This is my favorite scene. I love youtube. You can literally find anything on there.

Gosh! It's a monsoon...

Today I uttered those words many times. I looked out the window today to see a harsh rain. I did not notice the wind at the time. Yes, I had heard on the weather report the previous evening that there was a wind advisory. Indeed, Mr. Weatherman. Indeed. I got out of my car on the graduate school campus and immediately squealed. My umbrella was wrenched from my hands. I held on to it tightly and attempted to grab my quilted bag from Africa and hold the umbrella at the same time. The umbrella shook violently. I was holding on for dear life. At the same time, rain was pounding down. Not straight down. Slanted. A jolly looking lad was walking by and laughed at me. I returned the laugh and said "This is a nightmare!"

I continued on my trek to the faraway hall of my first class meeting. I say "trek" because I had to park somewhere in Siberia. The rain alternated between patterns of harsh, really harsh, and Whoa, Nelly! I gripped my umbrella for dear life. I commented to passersby. Apparently, rain unites us. Everyone is Chatty Cathy all of a sudden. One girl had given up all together and suctioned her hood to her head much like one of those contraptions that shrinks your winter clothing down to the size of a pancake for easy storage. ("Only 3 payments of $29.95!") She simply stated, "This," as she pointed to her umbrella, "wasn't a lot of help." I simply clutched my umbrella for dear life and persevered.

By the time, I reached my destination, I couldn't stop laughing. The day was simply hilarious. As I walked into the door, I saw an unsuspecting woman heading outside. I said "Be careful out there. It's Wuthering Heights."

One more time...

I found another video of Pride and Prejudice clips that I truly love. Enjoy one more video from my favorite movie in the entire world. I also really love this song by Lifehouse. Enjoy.

My. Favorite. Movie. Ever.

I found this video on youtube today, and absolutely adore it. It truly captures the spirit of my favorite movie, the BBC's Pride and Prejudice (which is the only Pride and Prejudice worth watching, in my opinion...). If you haven't seen this film, please, watch it. It's about six hours long, and you will adore every minute of it. I assure you. Now, sit back and enjoy clips from the film accompanied by a most appropriate song. In case you were wondering, the song is "Let Love In" by the Goo Goo Dolls, and what a sensational choice for the love story between Miss Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy.

Bummer! There was a youtube video posted here, but the video has been removed from youtube due to copyright infringement. Boo. I hope that you can enjoy the video on the above post for a while...

Lyrics to "Let Love In" by the Goo Goo Dolls

You wait, wanting this world
To let you in
And you stand there
A frozen light
In dark and empty streets
You smile hiding behind
A God-given face
But I know you're so much more
Everything they ignore
Is all that I need to see

Chorus:
You're the only one I ever believed in
The answer that could never be found
The moment you decided to let love in
Now I'm banging on the door of an angel
The end of fear is where we begin
The moment we decided to let love in

I wish
Wishing for you to find your way
And I'll hold on for all you need
That's all we need to say
I'll take my chances while
You take your time with
This game you play
But I can't control your soul
You need to let me know
You leaving or you gonna stay

Repeat Chorus

There's nothing we can do about
The things we have to do without
The only way to feel again
Is let love in

There's nothing we can do about
The things we have to live without
The only way to see again
Is let love in

Repeat Chorus

Virtual Cup of Cocoa...

I realize that this is NOT my Beatles blog. However, I did promise that this blog would be "your virtual cup of cocoa all winter long." I can think of no better way to cheer up a gloomy winter's day than this. Snuggle up with your laptop by a crackling fire, and enjoy Sir Paul's cheerful song.