American Idol Review 2.17.09

I have an American Idol confession: I've not been watching as closely as I should have been. In fact, I haven't been watching at all. After the first audition in Phoenix, I set my DVR to record subsequent episodes and promptly ignored the whole thing. Last night, I decided to play catch up in preparation for tonight's big show down and I'm so glad I did. You may recall that one of my last reviews from Season 7 included a vehement request that Nigel Lythgoe remove himself from the AI franchise and that the production team take a long hard look at the series. I'm tickled that both of those things have occurred. Did I expect the strange amalgam of AI and The Bachelor? No, but I'm just glad the judges didn't give the 36 contestants roses along with the good news. And, really, how different can you make it? So on to tonight's first group of 12...remember, I promise only to share my own personal observations and while they may or may not be kind, they will almost surely be entertaining.

Jackie Tohn: Umm...I got chills all over not because of how great this was, but because of how terrible it was and how embarrassed I felt to be watching. Wow, what on earth was she wearing? Seriously, it was as if she was trying to channel Sandy from Grease, but in a strung out Studio 54 way. It was all bad.
Ricky Braddy: Who is this guy? Yes, I already admitted that I hadn't watched Hollywood week, but really...who is this guy? I love (love, love, love) the song choice, but will he move forward? I'm not sure I'll remember him at the end of tonight's show. Really, all I can think about is Elliot Yamin singing this same song how many seasons ago and blowing the roof off.
Alexis Grace: Mama loves Aretha Franklin and Alexis chose one of my all-time favorite Aretha songs. This tiny little girl has a big soulful voice inside. She sang the hell out of that song.
Brent Keith: Hmm, country. Underwhelming and utterly forgettable.
Stevie Wright: I was a little distracted thinking about the fact that Miss Stevie was nine years old when Idol began. Good thing, because this performance was bad...and all the synonyms for bad.
Anoop Desai: I had high hopes for Anoop Dogg. I think he's going to have a long, sleepless night trying to justify this song choice.
Casey Carlson: Wow. She makes bubble tea for a living and wears a fedora. And while she's super cute and has 'package' appeal for the judges and Circle 19, there is just no excuse for her to attack The Police like that. Maybe the Pussycat Dolls like Bubble Tea...she could be one of them and just never open her mouth to sing.
Michael Sarver: Okay, I like Michael. He just seems like a good guy. Did he work it out this week? No, but he's just so nice and the little ones at home...sigh. My snarky heart is overwhelmed even while my ears are slightly underwhelmed.
Anne Marie Boskovich: Oh, dear. No, no, no. Poor Carole King, her song just gets hammered over and over again. And the best part of this whole thing, was when she sat down in the red room after her performance and announced, "Wow, I just sat on the hard part!" I thought Seacrest's eyes were going to pop out of his head. You could see the dialog bubble just hovering over him, silently begging her to scoot his way just a little and check out his- oops! This is a family friendly show, right?
Stephen Fowler: Honestly, I don't think he should have been advanced to this round. He forgot the lyrics to every song he sang during Hollywood Week and had such a fit during his last performance that he got up and walked off stage. You just don't reward bad behavior like that. I was a little excited about the song choice until the first few measures, at which time I promptly tuned out. Next!
Tatiana Del Toro: Oh my, she is the most annoying contestant ever. And why was she so oddly composed tonight? I'm confused. I'm alarmed. I'm more alarmed that the judges kept saying how surprised they were that she didn't completely stink the place up...umm, you did put her through to this round, didn't you? Or did you....?
Danny Gokey: Have I mentioned that I may have a wee crush on Elvis Costello? I know, creepy, but Danny does remind me ever so slightly of my crush. I like this guy - liked him in auditions, like him singing Mimi's Hero, like his whole vibe...I'm going out on a limb here - I think he may go far in Season 8. Don't forget, I was a David Cook fan even before he got plugs and changed the part in his hair.


As always, your comments are welcomed and encouraged! Happy Idoling!

The Greatest Show on Earth!

Oh my goodness! Did you tune in tonight to the greatest show on earth? Yes, that's right, I'm referring to the season premier of American Idol! It's the 21st century version of the circus and it is delightful in every way. Come one, come all! There's something for each of you!
Many of you have inquired about my American Idol Reviews for the upcoming season and I have to say, thank you - I'm so flattered that you are looking forward to reading my humble observations. This season, I will be publishing my reviews exclusively here on Domestic Glam so be sure to make yourself a 'reader' at the bottom of this page and tune in frequently. Once we reach the Top 12, reviews will be published weekly on the evening of the performances. Until that point, I will post a review whenever I can. So, tonight, Phoenix...ahhh, where to begin?
Let's start at the very beginning, a very good place to start. Mr. Twan Nguyen with the massive afro and the tap shoes. May I just say, Wham's Careless Whisper has never been so poignant. Please, don't ever dance again my afro'd friend. Guilty feet have got no rhythm. Though it's easy to pretend, I know you're not a fool.
And on to the fully sleeved Cyndi Lauper wanna be who, quite frankly, gave me the chills when she sang. Rock on, Rainbow Brite. I'm excited to hear what you can do. Who else? The oil rig daddy with two little ones at home; the two adorable 16-year old girls who actually looked 16 and not 28; the strange young man who taught himself to sing like James Ingram in a mold-infested closet and should now spend a little more time singing in front of the mirror...unless he's going for the Bill the Cat-look; and, finally, the sight-impaired musical prodigy whose story and audition brought tears to my eyes. Didn't I tell you there was something for everyone on American Idol? Just wait, it's only going to get better.
Finally, one last observation on the glue that holds this circus of freaks together: the judges. I like the new judge, Kara DioGuardi. She seems balanced, and not inebriated in any way. You may have noticed that tonight our dear Ms. Paula also seemed coherent and alert. I'll let you in on a little secret: this may be one of my favorite parts of AI...watching the slow, yet steady decline of Paula into wackiness. There's something comforting about it, knowing that the crazy is out there, lurking, just waiting to show itself. Ahhhh...it's a freakshow, and I love it.

Welcome 2009!

Happy New Year, everyone! I sincerely hope that your holidays were magical and that the first 48 hours of 2009 have brought you peace and happiness. What can I say, Christmas here was a magical blur of decorating, gift exchanging, cuddles from my children, and a lot of snow. It was everything I hoped for and more. My children experienced their first White Christmas, as we received nearly two feet of snow over the course of Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. As it turns out, I overhead my four-year old explaining to his younger brother that this is what God and Santa want to happen on Christmas Day, so really it was not that big of a deal. Ahh, youth! Once they get another five years or so of Pacific Northwest Christmases under their belts, I'll remind them of that innocent, hopeful observation.
I've been thinking a great deal about new beginnings and resolutions for the new year. I don't typically make a New Year's Resolution...something about a well-acknowledged willpower issue, hmm. Last year however, around February first, I announced to my closest girlfriends that I had, in fact, resolved to be more "fierce." As I reflect back on 2008, I wonder if, in fact, I honored that commitment to myself?
I think that by "fierce" I meant to take greater, unconditional enjoyment in my life and my experiences...to emerge from my mousy shadow - confident and comfortable with the woman that I've become; to share my thoughts and ideas with greater conviction - out loud, not just in my own mind; to be my own best advocate and my childrens' as well. Did I accomplish these things? I think I've made a good start. So, while I don't plan to officially make a New Year's Resolution, I will commit to keep moving forward in my commitment to myself. And a newly acquired pair of fabulous tiger print peep-toe heels, can only aid in my journey!

Archive 1.2.08 - Delicious Drink of the Week

*Archived Recipe*
Candy Cane Martini

A slight change from previous Delicious Dish of the Week recipes, this one is for a holiday martini. Fabulous, yet powerful...please enjoy very responsibly.

Step 1: Crush a few candy canes to fine powder consistency in your food processor. Pour crushed canes onto a plate. Lightly rub the entire rim of your most fabulous martini glass with simple syrup and then gently press into candy cane powder. Set glass aside.
Step 2: In a cocktail shaker, combine 1 oz. vodka, 1/2 oz. white creme de cocoa, and 1/4 oz. Rumplemintz. Add ice and shake vigorously.
Step 3: Pour delicious libation into already prepared martini glass and make a toast to your friends and loved ones for a glorious holiday season. Enjoy slowly, this one's powerful.
Happy Holidays!

Archive 12.20.08 - Delicious Dish of the Week

*Archived Recipe*
Crustless Chicken Pot Pie

This delicious dish is perfect for a stormy evening in. Best made while attired in your most comfortable jammies...

Step 1: Lightly drizzle boneless skinless chicken thighs with olive oil. Season with generous portions of dried rosemary and thyme, pepper, and a dash of sea salt. Bake at 350 until juices run clear. Shred into hearty-sized portions and set aside.
Step 2: Slice prepared loaf of basil and garlic seasoned polenta into 1/8" slices (found in your local grocer's refrigerated section). Line the bottom of your favorite stoneware casserole dish with single layer of polenta slices.
Step 3: Saute diced sweet onion, rustically chopped cremini mushrooms, and two cloves of minced garlic in 2 T. of butter over medium high heat until onions are transparent and mushrooms are tender. When nearly complete, add 1/4 c. cooking sherry and reduce. If desired (and we always desire!), add more dried rosemary and thyme while sauteing to enhance flavor.
Step 4: Add one bag of frozen peas and carrots to onion and mushroom mixture. Gently toss to evenly circulate heat and thaw the newest additions.
Step 5: In measuring bowl, combine 1 1/4 c. chicken stock, 3/4 c. milk, and 2 T. flour. Add all at once to vegetable mixture and cook over medium high heat, stirring frequently, until thickened. If necessary, add cornstarch/water mixture to thicken to desired consistency. Fold in shredded chicken and mix completely. At this point, you may want to add salt and pepper to taste. For a non-traditional twist, you could also add shredded parmesan reggiano to the mixture.
Step 6: Transfer vegetable and chicken filling to polenta lined casserole dish. Using remaining polenta slices, place them along the perimeter of the casserole in an overlapping pattern. Lightly brush polenta slices with olive oil. Heat in oven at 350 until heated through and polenta turns slightly crisp and beautifully golden.

Rejoice in the fact that you made a crustless pot pie and enjoy this delicious dish with a loaf of crusty peasant bread, small green salad, and a bottle of Guinness.

Christmas Magic

I'm back! I bet you're wondering if I've jetted off to some exotic locale for an extended vacation. Or, if I finally gave up and just moved into my local Target in the hopes of furthering my research on the strange phenomenon surrounding their check out lines. No, no. I assure you that neither of those is the real reason for my e-absence. I have, in fact, been busy decorating for Christmas.

The fun began the Sunday before Thanksgiving, with the goal being completion prior to turkey dinner. (And yes, I did prepare the traditional meal this year.) So that meant the placement and decoration of five trees ranging in height from 5' to 9.5', the arranging of the Christmas Village, placement of the snowman collection, the fireplace mantel tableau, the guest room (fully decorated with its very own tree), the playroom (remember my little garland?), the dining room, an art project I dreamed up at the last minute, and the placement of all the other miscellaneous decor that was lurking in my attic. I did not mention the outside display, which my tireless husband plans and executes to perfection each year, but this was also finished by the time the turkey hit the table.
Then, a little part of my design dreams came true. A girlfriend phoned to ask if I would be willing to purchase decor and then decorate her family's home for a holiday party! Heaven! It was a little window into my dream of becoming a full-time designer, and I loved every minute of it. Thank you, dear friend, for entrusting me with that. I could go on and on and bore you to tears with all the other planned and unexpected things that have come up between my last post and now, but the fact is - why? It's the holidays and we are all busier than usual. I am certainly not more busy than anyone else. The plain fact of the matter is: I'm a perfectionist.
As I sit here and look around at the home I am so blessed to call mine, at the beautiful and bountiful Christmas decorations that I am clearly (perhaps freakishly) obsessed with, I think, "I can't post pictures of this, it's just not quite right. If I only I had something else here or a little something else there, then it would be right...maybe." I took pictures a week or so ago in preparation for a new blog entry but was so disturbed that the photographs (and my photography skills) were not good enough to post. They made my home and my decorations look, alright. Nothing special. Certainly not like the design magazines and catalogs I pour over every chance I get. I can't post those. There is nothing 'glam' about them. It gave me pause to consider what I was really trying to achieve with my holiday decorating.
When I was little, Christmas felt like a magical time in my house. Somehow, my parents always found the most perfectly shaped Noble Fir. My mom would spend hours stringing the lights to such perfection that you couldn't see the wires, and then she would open the cedar chest and bring out the ornaments. They weren't particularly fancy, nothing crystal or silver, but they were dear - they were ornaments that were meaningful to a little set of eyes and to the memories that my parents worked hard to create for me. There were other decorations tucked away in the cedar chest: a collection of Santas; special red stained glass candle holders; a book of carols; our Christmas stockings; orange and lemon pomanders that my mom would make at night while we watched hockey on the television. And along with the decorations, there was the scent of Christmas...spicy, fresh, comforting. I've never been a morning person, but I remember those December mornings when my mom would usher me out of bed a little earlier than usual, wrap me up in a big quilt and sit me down on the sofa with a mug of cocoa - the house dark except for the lights on our tree. To me, it was beautiful, magical, and very special. And I think about what our home must look like to our little boys this time of year. Is it special for them? Because as much as my husband and I love Christmas and have always loved putting extra effort into preparing our home for the holidays, it's not just the two of us any longer. We're creating this wonderland for our children, too; so that they will also love and appreciate the magic of the season. Will they love it any more because we have five Christmas trees? No, I don't think so. And this very point could not have been made more clearly to me than it was this past Saturday evening.
After returning home from a holiday party, my in-laws explained to my husband and I that our oldest son, who is four, spent the majority of the evening decorating the Christmas tree in the guest room. My immediate reaction was panic. The rules are very clear in our house: children do not touch Christmas decorations! But, not wanting to completely lose my cool in front of my mother- and father-in-law, I stared dumbstruck as they explained just what had happened upstairs. I'm not even sure I heard their words as all I could think was, "How did this happen? He should know better!" Their last words to me were something about how Lincoln Logs might want to see a picture and use it in next year's ad campaign. After they left I ventured upstairs to survey the damage. What I saw when I turned the corner brought tears to my eyes.


There was his masterpiece. Photographs do not do it justice. I cannot possibly capture the scope and detail involved in the placement of my son's 'ornaments' with my paltry photography skills. He used every piece in his brother's new set of Lincoln Logs, including the yellow plastic windows, doors, and roofs. The black fishnet head wrap and plastic sword from his beloved pirate costume. A painted wooden spoon from last summer's music camp that was originally used as a drumstick. The stethoscope from his doctor's kit. A plastic screwdriver from last Christmas's tool bench. A wooden drumstick and box of pasta from the kitchen he and his brother received two Christmases ago. And lastly, the handmade mitten and tree garland I completed only a few days before Thanksgiving. Every item perfectly positioned, tenderly arranged. He used as ornaments things that are dear to him, toys that are beloved, the things that memories are made from. The next morning as he scampered into the guest room to look at his creation, I heard his daddy remind him that we don't touch decorations once they've been put on the tree. His tree has remained pristine for the past two days, and I occasionally catch he and his little brother sitting on the floor in front of it, clutching their blankets, gazing up at the lights. This is the stuff Christmas magic is made of and I am grateful to my little boy for reminding me of that.

Life in the Slow Lane

Is it just me, or do you too always pick the slowest line at Target? It is a phenomenon that, when contemplated calmly and logically, does not seem possible, and yet while I have no idea how it happens, it does - every single time. It's as if I walk through the automatic doors and enter some strange wrinkle in the space/time continuum. Even when I try to be thoughtful about which check out line I select, I inevitably end up behind some poor soul who would like to pay in Canadian pennies, or has actually been 'saving a spot' for their extended family of 12. I've experienced this so many times that I've decided to now base my exit strategy on selecting the most competent looking Target employee and hopping into that person's lane. I'll let you know how it goes.