Chicago Fire - 4.5 - Regarding This Wedding

     I was happy that they didn't just sweep Dawson's miscarriage away as if it didn't happen. I liked it opening up with her talking to the chaplain.  It was sad but it was a great scene.
     Riddle is such a douchebag. There is no way he made it this far without someone punching him in the face several times. I don't know how he can "personally verify" someone as fit for duty when he's barely verified as a human being. I don't know how many times I called him a !*?! in this episode.  He and Patterson can go kick rocks together.
     I love Boden. I love Boden when he's angry and when he's protecting his firehouse. He is really the "father" of that family.
     I am sick of Severide being kicked around every time he turns around. The so-called authority figures always have a problem with him and at this point, I'm a little tired of it being used as a plot point. Get new material. He's a dedicated, hard working and respected by his peers and subordinates. It doesn't look good to keep harassing him over silly crap.  I need him to be badass Severide and shut these idiots down. He needs to start fighting back, harder.
     I want to see more of Casey and Severide are working together to save a victim. They're at their best.

Grade: B
Most Surprising - How much I am enjoying Jimmy. I really like this kid. He has a lot of heart, work ethic and he knows how to have fun.
2nd Most Surprising - Patterson helped Sylvie with the wedding song (I still don't like him)
Best Head to Head - Boden and Riddle. I think Riddle is underestimating Chief and he looks unhinged.
Best Scene- The firehouse wedding
Best Performance-Sylvie's wedding song.
Worst Scene-It's just a pet peeve but the fiance was literally JUST brought into the ER and the first question the bride asks the doctor is when he'll be discharged. He hasn't even examined the patient yet.
Biggest WTH - The BDSM scene. It's so overdone at this point, is anyone surprised when they see a man and woman with collars, whips, chains and generic viagra? Nope. Not even surprised when they're married to other people either.
So Adorable - Steve McQueen's smile. I did not like him on The Vampire Diaries but as Jimmy, he is really caring and charming. He has a smile that lights up the firehouse. I'm just surprised and I like that.
Biggest Middle Finger - Patterson taking credit for the wedding as a human interest story. He is really going to regret crossing Boden and Severide sooner or later and I can't wait to see it. It's going to be beautiful. Sucker.

-I really want to like Chili but I just don't. I don't know if it's the actress or the character but I didn't like her character on Friday Night Lights either. I'm hoping she'll grow on me because they seem to be pushing her towards Jimmy.
-I really liked this episode and where the season is headed. I think they're balancing the cast out better and it shows.
-Molly's may be my favorite bar. I love the look of it and the feel it gives off. If I ever quit my day job to own a bar, I'll totally steal ideas from Molly.


Quotes:
Boden - "We are having the wedding here. I'll be damned if Chief Riddle or anyone else is going to change my way of running this house. He wants to fight, then lets fight."
Connie - "Oh and Chief? What you're doing here, with this wedding? Not the smartest move you ever made."
Boden -"Better to die on your feet than live on your knees Connie."
Herrmann- "Heads up. It's the Riddler."
Severide - "To hell with him. He was never going to give me my bugle back anyway. Shove it up his ass, Chief."
Severide - "There's one thing that's become crystal clear in all of this. It's either him or me. I'm not going anywhere"

                             Chicago PD - A Dead Kid, A Notebook and a lot of Maybe's - 3.7

                              
     This episode was hard for me. I hate TV shows that touch on the subjects of school violence, bully behavior and molestation. Not because I don't think they deserve to be talked about but because I get so angry. Anyway, I thought it was one of CPD's best episodes.
     In the beginning, I was sure it was another school shooting story but they switched it up and if  of us watching didn't suspect the coach from the very beginning, we need to turn in our TV viewer cards.  I say that because I didn't.
     I'm not sure how I feel about Alvin and MIchelle. For such a  strong cop, Alvin is coming off as pretty passive and weak. I don't like it. I understand she may be his daughter. Since he trashed the DNA test, it seems he's sure she is or doesn't care. He's claiming her. That's great but there really should have been more of a discussion with his other daughter. This could have been a strong family story. It still might happen.
     Atwater's sudden insecurity at the beginning of the episode was so out of nowhere for me, I didn't like it at all.  He seemed hesitant, almost stuttering in his attempt to talk to the Captain. I was disappointed. If it was just a set up to the end, it could have been done differently.
     AHHH. Burgess and Ruzek. I don't like them. I never have. I like Burgess on her own and I actually love her relationship with Roman. She and Ruzek bore me so much. If she has to pull childish tricks to see where his head is at, her head is not in the right place either. Be a woman. Flat out ask him what you want to know.
     This episode belonged to Halstead though. He was so good with Ethan. I teared up a few times. The kid broke my heart. I hate it. I hate to see it but CPD handled it really well. Halstead was patient, understanding and he didn't push the kid. He was just there for him. Giving him strength.

Grade - B+

Best Performance- Ethan. This young actor was really good for this story. I felt his pain. I wanted to find that coach myself.
Best Character - Halstead. He and Ethan played so well off of each other.
Best scene - The end scene of Ethan and Halstead. Ethan had hope again. That's all these kids need. Hope for better.
Most Fun scene  - Voight going all in on Coach Sanders. I kept waiting for him to explode but he held back. I wish he hadn't.
Most Surprising - Atwater gets a strange invite that turns out to be an in to Captain Whitikar and Chief Boden's poker game. Loved it.
Biggest You Need A Reality Check - Ethan's mother. There was someting so off with her, I though she may be involved. Sadly, she was just confused. Very odd acting or writing for her.
Biggest I Hope You Make Friends in Prison - Coach Sanders
Character I love to watch - Mouse. He is just fun and smart. When it counts, he is on it.
Best Unusual Interaction - Erin and Atwater. I like it. There should be more character interactions than what we have. It's a great ensemble that we should see more of.


Quotes:
Halstead - “I’ve known some heroes. But what you did, going public…it might just be the bravest thing I’ve ever seen.”
Captain Whitikar-"Atwater, you just made 2 mistakes. Our shared skin color is irrelevant to me. Good police is good police. Secondly, I get one half hour of peace each day by myself, which is breakfast. You have disturbed that."
Kirby: "It's initiation, it happens to everybody. But Ethan went nuts, he came after me with a fire extinguisher. I swear, he was trying to kill me.
Atwater: By extinguishing you?"

                                         Chicago Fire  -  4.2 -  A Taste of Panama City

                                                   



     I'm getting really tired of 51 getting disrespected by the public, other firehouses and upper management. That needs to end.
     The Firehouse is always under attack from the very people that are supposed to support them. Always. That upper management has an Odin complex and half of them need to go. Boden is no fool and I relish the day he and Riddle go head to head.
     Gabby and Casey completely underwhelmed me but I can see how their fans will be very happy. Congrats to you guys. It was funny that they were going to tell no one about the baby and 3/4 of the way through, everybody knew. All the way to the CPD. Odd that we didn't get to see Antonio mention it instead of Voight.
     I love when CPD characters come on the CF. I don't love the vigilante gene that seems to live inside of Casey. In the real world, he wouldn't have his job and he might even be dead for pulling some of the stunts he's pulled. Going to the club and getting that book was stupid. No other word. Stupid. He didn't know Voight was following him. He didn't know Nesbitt was following him. Given the trouble he gets himself into, he should be a little more aware of his surroundings. Thankfully PD saved his butt.
     It makes me mad that there are people in this world who act just like those idiots who are suing 51. So disrespectful to the people who put their lives on the line to protect them. I wanted Casey to punch somebody. So ridiculous. This entire plot is ridiculous. The response time is documented. What's to complain about? The police were there when they were ramming the cars out of the way. The initial call, the arrival time, the police arrival time, it's all on record. The city should be suing these jerks for obstruction and charging the ones who barricaded the street with involuntary manslaughter. This is a stupid plot. So many holes, so much belief to suspend. I just can't.
     I knew the Portland's were going to be entitled jerks. I wanted Herman to pull that biddy out of her doorway by her hair. What a bint. This is another stupid plot full of holes. THEY VOLUNTARILY MOVED INTO AN APT DIRECTLY ACROSS THE STREET FROM A BAR.  Then they're surprised at the noise. You can't see me but I am rolling my eyes so hard. Move. Find another apartment. No one forced you to choose that building. Idiots. No, instead they file a complaint with the city. What yuppies.
     Patterson. Patterson is a psycho. I don't care, it's coming. The man is unhinged and I need him to back away from Severide. That's the one story I'm looking forward too. He and Kelly will have a come to Jesus and it will be glorious.
     I really need our guys to catch a break next week and start giving as good as they're getting because Team Fire is getting it from all sides.

  Grade B-
Best Reason to Watch - It appears Nesbitt is gone. Thank you.
Best Scene - A very pissed off Herman announces karaoke night at Molly's after being treated like a second class, stupid citizen by Mrs. Portland. He blasts that music and sings his little heart out. Out of the back door, directly across the street. I laughed so hard. We won't forget about you Herman.
Worst Scene - Casey gets into a car chase with Nesbitt on the streets of Chicago, at night and pulls his truck into an alley. Dumb move. He's lucky Voight was following him. Nesbitt got out with a gun AND got the notebook. So weak.
Best Reaction - Gabby blurts out she's pregnant to a stunned Boden. He's as happy as if it was his grandchild. So cute.
Biggest WTF - The man 51 saved in that fire acts like he doesn't know a thing about anything that could help them with the lawsuit and won't come forward with any statement. What a jerk. They could have left you there you greedy old man.
Most Disturbing - The look in Patterson's eyes when he was trying to intimidate Kelly at Molly's. Psycho.
Best Addition - Jimmy. They're easing him in slowly and not making everything about him all at once. There is a story there with his brother coming.
The MVP - Molly's. Everybody but the Portland's loves her and now she has karaoke.
Biggest SMH - The idiot woman grabbed her fiance while the were using a defibrillator. They call clear for a reason lady.

Quotes -
Herman - "Lady, you can take that high and might attitude back to Portland. This is Chicago."
Nesbitt - "I'm a protected federal informant." Voight - "No kidding? Now get your ass up against that truck."
Voight  - "You know how you drown a rat Jack? You just toss his dumbass out in the deep end and wait for him to sink."
Herman - "For the love of God, will somebody get over here and arrest this moron?"
Brett -  "Doesn't she know what clear means?"

Sleepy Hollow 3.3 Blood and Fear

                                                Sleepy Hollow - 3.3 - Blood and Fear

                                                
       In this episode Ichabod and Abbie take on Jack the Ripper. Only he isn't anything like the Jack the Ripper of legend. It turns out Jack the Ripper has been in the world since the days of William the Conqueror, and it's not the man who is evil but a cursed weapon. We learn that he killed Ichabod's childhood friend. So Ichabod is familiar with him (of course) and now Pandora has brought him into Sleepy Hollow to do her bidding. At the end of the day, Abbie and Ichabod defeated him of course and they live on to fight the next evil she unleashes.
     Jenny and Joe were working together to find the shard that Randall stole from them, only to find he had lost it. It was stolen by a newly introduced character that I'm sure we'll see again.  Jenny being the badass that she is, figured it out.  She located the shard and the thief but was concerned to find the woman was a lot like her. The way she was trained, the items she hunted down. It led her to believe the other woman worked with August Corbin. It may have hurt her a little so I look forward to that story.  I am really enjoying Joe. He's got a calm about him that's good for Jenny.
     Pandora continues to be a favorite new character. She's evil but there is nothing overly dramatic about her. At times, I wish she was more animated. I also wish they'd get to the point about why she's in Sleepy Hollow and why now.  I'm sure it will get darker around mid-season break and I look forward to it.
     All together, this episode worked for me. There were great Abbie/Ichabod, Abbie/Jenny and Jenny/Joe moments that I love. There was action with a decent story behind it. I loved the way the flashbacks were filmed with Jack the Rippers story as the voice over. Actually, I loved the film look to the show this week.

Grade B

Favorite Scene -  End scene of Abbie and Ichabod. He's sick, she's by his "bedside." He wakes,they    share a nice scene and a fist bump. Camera pans to Pandora. She's creepily watching them and she's not happy. I really love how creepy she is.

Biggest Surprise - Ichabod injected himself with malaria and allowed himself to be stabbed by Jack, in order to kill him.
Most Badass - The Mills sisters are not to be played with. In one segment, Jenny is kicking in a motel room door. The next segment, Abbie is kicking in an apartment door.
Most Bizarre - Ichabod has a new friend who is too good to be true. I'm suspicious of her motives. She just shows up, several times, at odd moments. I'm keeping an eye on her. She has stalker written all over her.
Biggest NOPE. - Agent Reynold's asks Abbie out and she agrees.
Biggest NOPE 2 - Abbie hasn't told Jenny she found their father but she's looking at pics of him on her phone. Secrets never end well Abbie.
Least Surprising - Ichabod recognizes Jack's work right away. He had the materials to search him right away. Abbie was able to do a computer search on deaths from the William the Conqueror era. I love these guys so much, I over look this to accept the fast pace.
Best Moment - Ichabod decides to become a US citizen, Abbie supports him. 

Quotes -

Ichabod to Abbie - "I'm certain we shall uncover her plot and we shall foil it, we are after all, the witnesses." Fist Bump.

Ichabod - "I am most grateful, leftenant, that you and I have found one another. Once again."

Ichabod - "What brings you to this abyss of red tape and apathy?"

Randall - "Are you sure you're related to August Corbin?"    Joe "Hey. You know, I'm not the one handcuffed to a shower right now"

Sometimes You Can't Forget

     I am a very private person and you will rarely hear me tell anything that's deeply personal but Relay for Life is coming up and it brings me memories of a patient and his family that I adored.  I will tell anyone reading this, there is no happy ending but this is my way of grieving for him.  Putting it on "paper."
     A few years ago I admitted a 49 year old male patient. I will call him Jeff. Jeff was newly diagnosed with a primary glioblastoma.  An extremely aggressive brain tumor usually found in male adults.  The prognosis for these tumor's, even with treatment, fall anywhere from 6 months to a few years. Though each case is different, there is no cure. Only extreme options.
     Jeff was a happily married man with four children. He was a teacher and a youth football coach. He and his family lived several states away but our hospital is known for cancer treatment and he came here to have the tumor removed.
     Jeff came to us, weeks after his operation, to recover and hopefully get some rehab in before going home. Removing as much of the tumor as possible had left Jeff without function on his left side, slurred speech, blurry vision. Unable to walk any distance without help. This big, strong vibrant man was struck down by a tumor the size of a golf ball.
     Every day we worked with Jeff, trying to increase his motor functions, his ADL's, just his quality of life. Jeff's mind was still very much intact but his physical functions were not. This hurt him. He was a prideful, hard working man. It broke his spirit.
     Me being me, I became attached to him. I made him laugh, I harassed him non-stop. I fed him, talked to him, sang with  him, watched games with him. I fell in love with the relationship he had with his wife. It was humbling to see.  I like to think we became close.
     One Wednesday, he was doing so very good that his family wanted to drive his kids in to see him the weekend. The doctors approved this. We made plans, decorated his room. He was so happy at the thought of seeing his children. I'll never forget the smile on his face. Ever.
    That night his wife pulled me out of the room to thank me. I told her she didn't have to thank me for doing my job. She told me "You gave him back his dignity." and I broke down. She said I didn't treat him like he was dying and I didn't treat him like he was handicapped. I understood the words he was trying to say, even with his slurred speech. I just could not stop crying. I think I knew then but didn't want to believe.
     I was off on that Thursday so I didn't get to see Jeff.  Late Thursday night, into Friday morning before I came in to work, Jeff had a seizure. They are always a possibility after this type of surgery but he had done so well, we believed he was past the worry stage. He wasn't.  An hour before I arrived at work, Jeff had been moved to the ICU and put on life support. I went to check on him as soon as I could. His wife, the strongest woman I've ever met, was standing stoically outside of his room. She didn't have to tell me. I knew he was gone. The seizure had robbed him of all brain function, leaving him a vegetable. The doctors had talked with her about removing his life support and she had agreed. It was only a matter of time. She told me that this was God's way of leaving her children with only the best memories of their father. His smile, tucking them in, teaching them football. Even the girls. It was God's way of taking away the suffering that was still to come with this type of cancer. She cried, I cried. I don't think I've grieved for a patient like this before. He felt like family.
     I was so angry. He didn't get to see his kids and they didn't get to say goodbye. I just kept telling myself over and over that his wife was right. They deserved to remember him as he loved them. With a smile as bright as sunshine.
     I hate cancer. I hate everything about cancer but I will always love Jeff and the memories I have of being able to take care of him. Of making him laugh. Of understanding him when no one else could. I'll never forget you Jeff and I thank God I was blessed to take care of you.                             

                                                                                                                                   
                                                   Chicago Fire - 4.01 - Let it Burn

                                                   




                                                   Welcome back Chicago Fire!
     At the end of season 3, Casey was working a human trafficking case with CPD, leaving us with an ominous cliffhanger. Gabby found out she was pregnant and doing something completely opposite of any other TV show I've seen, she went to Matt's apartment, I assumed to tell him. What she found was a ransacked apartment and a dead body.
     At the start of the season 4, Casey is in trouble with Nesbitt and the goons who want a little black book.  In comes the small crossover with CPD. It's really ironic that Casey is beating Nesbitt only to have Voight pull him off and say "take it easy." It was just one of those moments that made me laugh. I know not every one does but I love when these shows cross over. It's like one big, dysfunctional family and I enjoy that.
   This episode was good for me because we have a continuing story, two new characters, Severide's new story (albeit redundant), crossovers, scenes at Molly's, which I love and there wasn't a lot of time wasted on unnecessary story with Otis, Mouch and Herman. 
     The episode seemed to fly by but it paved the way for a whole lot of story this season. I think it's going to be a good one. There seems to be something for everyone.

-I'm not a fan of Dawson and there was a lot of her here. The fans will be happy. I'd like to see them use other characters more.
-Severide's story seems to be a rehash with nothing but a different reason to have him off of truck. It's not original at all.
-Patterson is a douche.
-It looks like we have Severide's new love interest. I liked what I saw of her.
-Cruz continues to make me wonder "why is he here and Shay is not?"


Grade: B
    
Best Reason to Watch - The chief. He was everywhere/Casey and Dawson reunite and she tells him about the baby

Best Character - Chief Boden. He had little patience for BS in this episode.

Best Scene - Squad and Truck unblock the road in front of a burning building, by "any means necessary" and it was awesome.

Biggest Twist- Severide quits 51

2nd Twist - the very people who were blocking 51 from the fire at the crackhouse are now suing the city. Their reason?  51 had a slow response time because they are a poor neighborhood. Lets see how that goes. They could all be guilty of involuntary manslaughter for blocking emergency personnel.

Best Cameo - Chief Riddle, played by Supernatural alum, Fredric Lehne.

Best Reaction - Chief Boden is NOT impressed with the entry of our new candidate.

Worst Twist - Riddle stripped Severide of his rank

Most Welcome - Jimmy came to apologize for disrespecting the Chief and Firehouse 51 while his brother played it off as a hazing joke. Wrong answer older brother. The chief showed him the closed door and it was great. Jimmy showed a lot of character here. I think I'm going to like him.

Biggest Eye Roll - The intro of the new candidate, Jimmy. Played by TVD's Steve McQueen. Not at all his fault, his brother just made him look foolish.

Least Surprising - Upper management has yet another problem with Firehouse 51. I'm getting tired of those guys.

Most Awkward - I was embarrassed for Jimmy. Boden fired him in two minutes and that has to be a record.

Most Ridiculous -The new couple from Portland.

Worse scene - Sylvie and Chili perform CPR. No way would I ever believe watching this scene that either of them passed EMT training. Never.  I don't think I care what they have planned for these two this season.

Most Bizarre - The newly arrived couple from Portland.

Best Quotes:
-Patterson "I'd like you to remain with the company. Your reputation as a firefighter is not in question."    Severide "No, just my ability to lead"
-Herman - "And the moron of the year award goes to..."
-Boden -"Truck 81, Squad 3. Open up this street by any means necessary."
-Herman - "You happy now? Is that what you wanted? He was a human being. You people make me sick."
-Casey "I don't ever want to let you out of my life again." Dawson "I'm pregnant"
(Thank you for not dragging it out)

Chili

                                     Another winter favorite: A quick and easy spicy chili

Hot Chili

Ingredients

2 lbs of lean hamburger
1 can of pinto beans
1 can of kidney beans
1 can of petite diced tomatoes
1 can of tomato sauce
1 large sweet onion
1 tsp of crushed red pepper
3-4 heaping TB of chili powder (to your taste)
1 tsp of onion powder (optional)
Salt and Pepper

Instructions 

1) In a large stew pot, add your hamburger and half of your diced onion, brown until onions are tender
2) Drain any grease from the pot

3) Drain any juice or water from your canned beans.
4) add all remaining ingredients and mix well
5)  Simmer for 2 hours

Serve with cornbread and enjoy

* I've used only one style of bean, whichever I had on hand at the time. All measurements can be more or less*

     There is something about this book touched me, deeply. It made me reflective, melancholy, happy and sad. Even now, hours after finishing, I still have tears rolling down my face trying to write this review. It's not so much the book itself as it is parts of the story where you see yourself. You see the choices you've made. The life you've led. This book will make any romantic think about what is, what could have been, what should have been and what can be.
     I'm too drained for a full review. 5 stars for a beautiful love story that made me reflect on my own life and left me melancholy, optimistic and wishful. If everyone's life was perfect, there would be no such thing as regret, second chances or redemption.
     Every book in this series, the Burg, Chaos, Colorado Mountain and the Dream Man series will have a hard cover on my collection shelf as soon as they're available. She writes realistic hero's and heroines.  She writes her characters so well, you can see them as clearly as yourself in the mirror. I will never hesitate to buy one of her books. Not all are great but they are all good.

Shade by Jamie Begley

I read a lot of complaints that this book was simply a rehash of The Last Rider series without a  lot of new material. I disagree. A lot of it is but this book is entirely  from Shade's POV and I loved every chapter. If you've read the series, you know Shade was instrumental in every story. We all wanted to know what he was thinking while he quietly worked behind the scenes to help his friends and to show his devotion to Lily. We get that here. This is it. This tells that story and more. This book is not the companion to Shade's Fall from Shades POV. It's Shades POV throughout the entire series. If you liked Shade at all during those books, you will love this one. Also, full disclosure: I like the men in this series and Killyama more than I like any of the heroine's. But it's a series to be read for pleasure, not to be taken seriously. There is no way I could put myself in their positions. I'm not made that way.

     I don't even know where to start with my love for this book. I have bookshelves full of old classics, literary favs, Johanna Lindsey's,  Sherrilyn Kenyon's, a Kindle full of Kristen Ashley, Jamie Begley and more. This book solidified Shade as a top ten hero, book boyfriend, anti-hero, lover, friend, badass, alpha. Whatever label you want to put on him, Shade is it.
     He was so heavily played in some of the other books and all we knew was he was a military hero and sniper with no emotion but his love for Lily.  According to Viper he was also a mean motherf*cker.  He ended up having the biggest heart of them all.
     Shades love for Lily was a beautiful thing but there were issues.
-I want someone to slap the mess out of Bliss. My least favorite character that we're supposed to like.
-I need more Lucky.
-The sex club is my least favorite part of these books because it seems the women all give in to easily. The guy says "wait, watch, you'll like it" and they just do. The sex between the couples is fine but not realistic at all. Some I skipped over, some I didn't. Shade was more realistic in his wait for Lily than the sexual scenes in any of the books.
     If you like easy, motorcycle club reads, this is a good series. Not the best, not my favorite but a few of my favorite characters.

                                       Sleepy Hollow - 3x02 - Whispers in the Dark
     Episode 2 opened with a very domesticated Ichabod cleaning Abbie's house, hoping to repay her for giving him a place to live. He even does windows. It looks like the writers understand they went off the rails in S2 and are trying their best to make S3 better. It may be too little, too late but I appreciate the effort. I'm not sure I can forgive them for S2 but I can give them credit for trying.
     This episode had Pandora sending a wraith after a group of people with secrets. A random case of the week that shows it's going to be more of a procedural this season.
     The wraith was just the backstory to Ichabod and Abbie's secrets. Which turned out to not be bad at all. Ichabod was captured during the war and given a chance at freedom if he gave up Washington's spies. He didn't. His integrity remained intact. His big secret? He thought about it. You have to love his sense of honor. Abbie's big secret was she found her father. Alive and well, living in Saratoga. She hasn't seen him since she was six. I imagine that would be heartbreaking. She's basically started stalking him. Followiing him, taking pictures. We're sure to see a nice arc involving him this season.
     At the halfway point we started to get a lot of Jenny and Joe as they talk about his father and his legacy. I liked those scenes and hope he sticks around. He and Jenny could cause a lot of trouble together. At first they seemed out of place but as Joe talked, you could see where they're planning to go with this story. They're laying a season's worth of groundwork in these first few episodes.
     I like Pandora as the evil this season. She's not overwhelming and she's not a whiny villain. She's just evil. She isn't taking up a lot of screen time and the actress is very good. I'll be patient but at some point, we need to know why she is in Sleepy Hollow. There has to be more story to it. I like that they are letting us get used to her first but I do want to know what makes her tick. She's so calm.
     Abbie has a new boss and it turns out he is a friend from her FBI training days. It also turns out they had a rocky relationship. Evidently Ichabod picked up on those vibes because he was giving him the most wonderful side-eye.
     I really enjoyed this episode and the many facial expressions of Ichabod. He and Abbie are my favorite platonic m/f relationship and I hope it continues. She's patient with him and he's understanding of her. They balance. Now if they can just keep those roommate boundaries intact, I'll be happy.

Quick Thoughts-
The CGI for the wraith was really good. Dean would say "That was scary,"
The return of Joe felt natural. Not a plot point.
I'm so shallow but it was not hard at all to look at Tom Mison doing housework.

Grade: B

                                          
Best Reason to Watch - Pandora is literally just going to visit a different evil to Sleepy Hollow every week. Which should give us a good, long season to look forward to. There are no limits to the evils in Pandora's box. This could get interesting.

Best Character - Joe Corbin. I was surprised at this but I really enjoyed his scenes with Jenny. The guy is very earnest in his need to know his father's secrets better. He wants to carry on his father's legacy and I felt his pain when he couldn't. His speech to Jenny was sad. He just wants to be close to something that meant so much to his dad. Jenny didn't want to share but after the kidnapping, she gave in. I'm glad. A son should know his father. Even if he has to learn the truths after his death.

Best Scene - The end scene between Abbie and Ichabod was really well done. Simple but honest and almost sweet.  Just a simple conversation between two friends on a country porch, sharing secrets and drinks. I grew up having conversations on porches like that and it filled me with nostalgia.

Best Action - Jenny attacking a man who is 3x her size while rescuing Joe. It wasn't a very physical scene but she was a firecracker who looked like Tinkerbell, attacking the Jolly Green Giant

Best Reaction -  Ichabod "manhandling" Abbie's unmentionables. His facial expressions are priceless.

Best Save - Ichabod refuses to give up the Archives. He petitions to have it declared a historical landmark.

Most Ridiculous - Jolly Green Giant kidnaps Joe by knocking him down with his car door. Somehow knocking him down around the knees, knocked him unconscious. SMH.

Best Change -  Ichabod and Abbie as roomates with boundaries. I'm surprisingly ok with this.

Best "You've Gotta Laugh" - Ichabod sings while doing housework

Least Surprising - Ichabod is not a traitor

Most Awkward - Ichabod giving the evil, suspicious eye to Abbie's new boss. I was side-eyeing him too Ichabod.

Most Bizarre -A random (huge) thief kidnaps Joe to get to Jenny. All for an artifact of his dad's that she has had for years. An out of nowhere plot but Joe is very likable to me.

Best Quotes:
Abbie - "If you can't stand the heat, use somebody else's kitchen. Take Out."
Ichabod - "Of course, having you by my side is the greatest boon."
Ichabod- "Leftenant. I sensed something between the two of you that seemed more than professional. " Abbie "Yeah? Mind your business."

The Best Thanksgiving Gravy

     One of my favorite must have's for Thanksgiving dinner is gravy for my turkey and dressing.


Turkey Gravy

1-2 Turkey Wings (or giblets from Turkey you are basting for dinner)
3-4 Cups of Turkey Broth
Salt and Pepper
1 tsp of Poultry Seasoning
2-3 TB of flour

1) Boil your wings in a large pot, keeping enough broth in to make at least 3 cups. Add water as needed.
2) After your wings are cooked to "fall off the bone" tenderness, set aside.
3) Pour your hot broth into a large bowl
4) Place in the freezer for at least one hour
5) Debone your turkey wings, set aside
6) After one hour remove the broth from the freezer
7) Skim the top layer of fat off and using 4-5 TB, add to a large skillet..skim the rest of the fat away and discard. You should have nothing left but clear turkey broth
8) Heat the fat until just sizzling
9) generously add flour, salt, pepper and 1 tsp of poultry seasoning
10) simmer until a golden brown, stirring the entire time to smooth out your gravy and dissolve the flour
11) Slowly stir in your broth, 1 cup at a time. For a thinner gravy, add more broth. For thicker gravy, less broth. Add in your shredded, deboned turkey. More or less to your taste.
12) mix well and simmer on lowest setting for 5 minutes.

Using broth instead of water and flour for your gravy gives it a rich flavor that is perfect with your turkey.

Gun Control

     I'm not going on and on about this and I'm not posting statistics. We all know what they are. These mass shootings show that we are killing ourselves. That's it. We are allowing ourselves to be killed, one innocent person at a time.
     My heart breaks for all of the innocent children at Sandy Hook, the new couples who just wanted to enjoy a movie date at a movie theater, the scared but excited new college kids. These bright futures that were stolen from us could have included a doctor who cured cancer. A paramedic, the next POTUS, the next great American Mom, a teacher who changed the world of a child. It doesn't matter if they were going to be doctors, lawyers, parents, athletes, mentors, humanitarians. It matters that their right to live was decided upon by an insane person with a gun. In most cases, multiple guns.
     The NRA has half of the country enraged to the point of violence. They believe "gun control" equals "take away my right to bear arms." IT DOES NOT. They are being deliberately obtuse and that pisses me off.
     The point of gun control that I harp on the most, is the accessibility. Gun advocates crowning glory, go to statement "guns don't kill people, people kill people" irks me. We would never have known. <insert sarcasam> Does that mean we make it easy for these people to have those guns? Why is it so hard for the NRA and other gun advocates to understand that passing a bill that makes it hard for someone with a history of mental illness to get their hands on gun, does NOT mean the government is coming into YOUR law abiding home to take away your legally obtained weapons? Unless you have a violent past or history with mental illness.
     I won't name him, but the Sandy Hook terrorist is the only example I'll give. He had a history of mental illness. He was sick, disturbed, not trusted and people shied away from him because "he made you feel uncomfortable." He lived with a disturbed reality.  That same person was able to get his hands on several guns and murder all of those innocent children because his OWN MOTHER had assault rifles, hunting rifles and other weapons in her home. When even she was afraid of him at times.  Should she have been able to purchase these guns, with him in her home? No. Stricter gun laws would have prevented that. Stronger background checks.
     Then there are the people who say "criminals don't obey laws, he would have gotten his hands on a gun anyway." That's right. He would have. Does that mean we just lay down, roll over and give up? "Oh he would have found one somewhere, just let him have it." That is complete crap.
     As a young male with no ambitions and no money, he would not have been able to get his hands on the thousands of dollars worth of hardware that he used in Sandy Hook. He couldn't have bought the military grade assault rifles, various samurai swords and over 1400 rounds of ammunition found in his home after the killing. There is no way a person who had his history should have been able to live in a home with all of that, kill his own mother and attack a school of innocent children. All because his mother was a "gun enthusiast" who was either too scared of her son or completely blind to the picture he had of himself holding a gun to his head.
     We don't want your guns. We want to keep your guns out of the hands of mentally ill people. Domestic terrorists and criminally violent people. That's it. I believe in all of our right to bear arms.  I don't think our rights supersedes those of the hundreds of innocent people killed in this country simply for going to school or to work. Simply being in the wrong place at the wrong time. For having the audacity to wake up thinking they were going to have a normal day.
     Keep your guns. Protect your families. Hunt your wild game. Enjoy your sport. Please do so while keeping that gun out of the hands of a mentally ill person.

This is a favorite recipe of mine.

Spicy Chicken and Rice Soup

1 whole chicken*
1-2 jalapeno peppers
2 large green peppers
2 large sweet onions
2 TB of vegetable oil
1 can of tomato sauce
Salt and Pepper to taste
1 cup of rice*
1/2 cup of water

1) Boil the chicken whole until it starts to fall from the bone
2) take the chicken from the bone and set aside
     reserve 1 cup of chicken broth
3) wash and dice your peppers and onions
4) In large stew pot or dutch oven, add 2 TB of oil and 2 TB of chicken broth
5) Add your peppers and onions and saute until tender
6) Add your shredded chicken to the peppers and 1/2 - 1 cup of chicken broth, salt and pepper
7) simmer 15-20 minutes - taste test the "hotness" of your peppers. If they're not hot enough to suit your taste, add more jalapeno. If too hot, add another 1/2 cup of chicken broth.
8) Add one can of tomato sauce and 1/2 cup of water
9) Mix well, turn to low and simmer for one hour
10) Cook your rice according to directions
11) After your soup has simmered for one hour, serve over hot rice and enjoy.

*I love this recipe for the hot and sweet flavor but also because you can substitute beef and have an entirely different meal. Substitute with beef tips or cooked and shredded london broil. You can also substitute pasta for the rice.*

Greg Hardy

     This week one of the most controversial NFL players is back in the game of football. His suspension is ended and he will suit up for Sunday's Cowboys vs Patriots game.
     Greg Hardy was found guilty of domestic violence, during a bench trial in NC. With our wonderful judicial system, he was able to appeal that conviction and remained free. He was suspended by the NFL, WITH PAY, while the court proceedings worked themselves out.
After the appeal was filed, court date set and the DA ready to move forward, the victim in the case disappeared. Holder, Greg Hardy's girlfriend, was found to have taken a settlement of undisclosed monies from Hardy and left town. The DA was unable to proceed with the appeal. Case was dropped.  It would violate his civil rights to proceed without a willing witness and the DA would have no case without her testimony. Thank you Nicole, on behalf of all domestic violence victims everywhere.
     Here is a small bit of testimony from the trial from the Charlotte Observer: 

"Hardy, Holder said, flung her from the bed, threw her into a bathtub, then tossed her on a futon covered with rifles. Holder said Hardy ripped a necklace he had given her off her neck, threw it into a toilet and slammed the lid on her arm when she tried to fish it out.
The 6-foot-4, 265-pound Hardy dragged her by the hair room to room, she said, before putting his hands around her throat.
“He looked me in my eyes and he told me he was going to kill me,” said Holder, 24, who said she used to live with Hardy.
“I was so scared I wanted to die. When he loosened his grip slightly, I said, ‘Just do it. Kill me.’ ”

     This man is free to make millions, play football, say anything and come and go as he pleases.
Today that man chose to make his first media appearance with the Cowboys. His statement on facing Tom Brady and the Patriots?
"I love seeing Tom Brady. Have you seen his wife? I hope she comes to the game. I hope her sister comes to the game..."  
     Not an ounce of remorse for his conviction, not an ounce of humility to be playing a game "he loves" nothing but a passive aggressive, very creepy dig at Tom Brady's family. This man, when proven guilty by a judge, said he didn't do anything wrong. Evidently the police and hospital reports mean nothing. She choked herself. This wasn't the first offense. This was just the one he was finally arrested for.
     These statements had no business whatsoever in a game press conference. They had no business coming out of his mouth at all. He has shown he is a narcissist with a complex. I think he may be a borderline sociopath. These words were a direct hit at Brady, trying to get into his head before Sunday. Hardy should know, after 14 years, what a justifiably pissed of Brady is capable of.  People wonder why Brady has a chip on his shoulder. They call him arrogant. They call him a liar, a cheater and many other things. Tom Brady is a man out to prove anyone wrong who ever doubted him and his integrity. He isn't a coward to resort to subtle innuendo's to try to frustrated an opponent.
     I have no clue how that game is going to go Sunday but I know who I am hoping does not play.
Add to Hardy's comments, Cowboy fans are hoping he "breaks both Tom's legs" and I clearly have a favorite Sunday. I'll be rooting for the guy with a chip on his shoulder who doesn't kiss NFL ass vs the guy with a gun in one hand, while the other is wrapped around his girlfriend's throat.

Read more here: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/crime/article9140591.html#storylink=cpy

Hearty Beef Stew

For the fall loving Foodies

Hearty Beef Stew

Ingredients 
2-4 lbs of stew beef
1 large vidalia (sweet) onion  (any onion of your choice is fine)
4-6 large potatoes  (I like to use small baking potatoes for flavor)
3 carrots  (canned carrots work well too)
1 celery stalk  (optional)
1/4 cup of butter
2 cans of chicken broth or stock  (I like to save my broth from any chicken recipes to use for this or other soups) 
1 Cup of water (some have substituted with beer and it is good as well)
2 Tbsp of flour
Seasonings of your preference. 
I use -
1 tsp of garlic powder
1-1/2 tsp of seasoning salt
salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1- In large dutch oven or stew pot, saute and sear your beef tips in 1/4 butter, garlic powder and seasoning salt until a good glaze forms on all sides and the bottom of your pan. This glaze gives a wonderful seared flavor, seals the flavor into the beef and gives your broth/gravy a rich color.  It takes 5-10 mins. 3-5 minutes on each side should do fine.
2- Once the beef is seared (not burnt)  scrape the bottom of your pan to loosen the glaze.
3- Stir in 1-1/2 cans of chicken broth, 1 Cup of water and salt and pepper
4- Bring the beef to a hard boil. Lower heat and simmer for one hour (add broth or water as needed if it boils down)
5- Dice your potatoes, carrots, and onions
6- After the beef has simmered for one hour to one and a half hours. Add your diced vegetables, cook for 30-45 minutes (until onions are translucent)
7-Take the 2 Tbsp of flour and mix with 1/2-1 can of chicken broth until smooth
8- Add it to your beef and vegetables and allow to simmer for 15-30 minutes. The gravy will thicken as it simmers. Continue to stir.

Total cooking time should be 3 to 3 and a half hours. Prep time combined is 30 minutes.

Serve with fresh biscuits and enjoy your dinner.

Short, Fun Q&A

Who is your hero? - Mama
If you could live anywhere, where would it be? - Mountains
What is your favorite family vacation? - Anywhere in the mountains 
What would you change about yourself if you could? - Procrastination
What really makes you angry? - Injustice
What is your favorite book to read? - Paranormal Romance
What makes you laugh the most? - Baby animals
What is your favorite game or sport to watch and play? - Football
What would you sing at Karaoke night? - Paradise by the Dashboard Light, Meatloaf
If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be? - Steak and Baked Potato
Who is your favorite author? - Sherrilyn Kenyon
If you were a super-hero, what powers would you have? - Time Travel
What's your favorite zoo animal? Pandas/Gorillas
If you could share a meal with any 4 individuals, living or dead, who would they be? My dad and grandparents.
Favorite Season? Fall/Winter
Favorite Song? - Chasing Cars, Have You Ever Seen the Rain
What's your favorite fast food chain? - Chick-Fil-A
What three items would you take with you on a deserted island? - Books, Batteries, Radio
If you had a warning label, what would yours say?- Beware, today is a no filter day.

Some Sports Fans Have No Soul

Just some quick thoughts from last night's game-

I watched the Denver and Chiefs game last night but had to turn it off during the first half. There are some very cruel sports writers and fans out there.

Peyton Manning is not 26 anymore. His age does not take away the man or the player he is.  He is still one of the greatest to have ever played.
 I understand he's not the player he once was but he's still a good player, doing what he can to help his team win. For him to be so completely disrespected by the media and twitter trolls pisses me off. You don't disrespect someone with the heart and passion he has. You don't disrespect what they brought to this game. You don't disrespect him as a human being because you don't like the way he plays.  
You disrespect the people who have turned this game into a joke. I'm looking directly at you Pacman Jones, Roger Goodell, Mike Kensil, 49er fans, Colts front office and dozens more. You know who you are. 
Where I come from, you don't hate people for just being. You hate them because they did something to you, hurt you in some way. You don't hate them for using their God given talents to entertain us on Sunday's.  <----This goes for Tom Brady too.

Snow Patrol - Chasing Cars

"If I lay here, if I just lay here, would you lie with me and just forget the world?" - Chasing Cars


"Yesterday and days before, sun is cold and rain is hard. I know, it's been coming for some time." - Have You Ever Seen the Rain


Sometimes when you can't find the words to say what you need, song lyrics can do
it for you. Today is one of those days that I'll let music talk for me. 



This is still one of my very favorite songs.