Exhibit A:

Exhibit B:

Looking at the evidence, we can deduct that Shannon may:

1.) Be stealing trash again to take pretty creepy pictures

2.) Be purchasing her lunch at the dollar store

3.) Be obsessed with the combination of string cheese and pretzels

4a.) Be so consumed by her hot love affair with pretzels and sting cheese, that she inhales them all before taking a photo

4b.) That upon realizing her mistake, she pulls the evidence from the trash in an attempt to create a witty lame post

5.) Be losing friends at work, as they cast judgement upon her taking photos of trash

6.) Be wishing she splurged and spent an extra two bucks to double her quantity of snackage

7.) Have stolen pieces from the trash in attempts to take sustainability to a whole new level and create urban artwork

8.) Be still hungry…

So which is it? I’ll give you a hint. About half of them are true.

Put your detective skills to work!

Have you ever head the pleasure of enjoying pumpkin cheesecake? Yeah, it’s kinda like that.

You should make these muffins just so you can enjoy this flavor combo. Now if only I still had some Cacao Bliss left, as I’m sure that would make a decadent treat, as well!

What is your favorite “muffin top”per?

I’m getting my hair cut tonight – gaaaahhhhh – it always makes me a little nervous! I don’t think I’ve ever recovered from the mullet my mom gave me when I was little.

You all know how high breakfast ranks on my list, and I always enjoy trying new places. So I convinced my family to go to Scrambler Marie’s, a fairly new place in town. Scrambler Marie’s has about 5 other locations, throughout Ohio.

From the restaurant’s website:

Scrambler Maries’ is a family owned restaurant concept open from 6:30am to 3:00pm every day. It was begun in 1990 by Shain and Phil Buerk of Toledo, Ohio at its original location which continues to operate today on Secor Road. Because it is a family business most of the Buerk family has been involved in the operation at some time. Even Phil’s wife and Shain’s Mom Deby Marie continues to hostess in the restaurants. The recipes for the original menu which remains relatively unchanged came from Phil’s background in the food service industry as a multiple unit Wendy’s franchisee; Shain’s experience in the breakfast business; and advice and suggestions from all of the family whose names the menu carries.

How cool is it that this place is TRULY family owned and operated? These types of places are always the best (in my experience), yet they rarely get the press and recognition. Let’s do somehting about that.

Please leave a comment telling me where you live and your favorite breakfast spot(s)! Now I’ll know where to go to breakfast when I’m traveling

Cleveland’s BEST: Original Pancake House, Lucky’s, First Watch (I know it’s a chain, but it’s a small one!), Chicago Deli, The Inn on Coventry and Scrambler Marie’s

Check out that delectable egg white omlette filled with spinach, mushrooms, tomatoes and swiss cheese. Served with SALSA, of course!

Well if foods went to Junior High (and who says they don’t?!), Miss Sweet Potato and Mr. Cottage (Cheese) would have a 100% compatibility rating.

After seeing this combination on a few web sites, I finally took the plunge last night (against all my hesitations) and made a baked sweet potato with cinnamon and Fiber One cottage cheese.

I fear that any description would only ruin it and not do this deliciousness the justice it deserves. You are going to have to take my word for it. I know it sounds odd — almost gag-worthy, no? Just trust me on this one.

Have you tried the combination? Are there any other “perfect match” foods that might seem odd, but taste delicious? SHARE!

Well for those of you who read Kath’s blog (and who doesn’t?) you’ll know that she recently mentioned a healthy, wholesome product that “tastes just like frosting.” Ummmmm what? This cannot be! You mean all those hydrogenated oils were for NAUGHT? You mean the sugar laden treats I stuff my face with can be healthier? Get outta town.

As much as I love Kath, I wasn’t about to “just take her word for it.”

I’ll pull a Quentin Tarantino and just tell you the moral of this story upfront (SPOILER ALERT): Kath is always right.

See, the folks at Artisana must have heard my belly aching (literally and figuratively!) and sent me a jar – along with some other delicious samples!

My word.

I think the photos speak for themselves.

With the wave of my magic wand, er, knife, a simple vitatop was quickly transformed into chocolate cake/brownie with buttercream frosting! This spread is so chocolatey, so decadent, so RICH. You would be doing yourself a disservice if you did not BUY IT NOW.  You bet your bottom dollar I’ve already ordered a replacement jar – heaven forbid I go one single day without this chocolatey goodness.

Have you tried Cacao Bliss yet? Do you know of any other healthy frosting alternatives (I doubt it, but figured I’d ask!)?

But Shannon! You are so sweet – who could argue with you?!

I wonder the very same thing my friends! How could people not see things MY WAY?! But this is serious stuff! Almost as serious as Jacob vs. Edward.

Now I have your attention, don’t I?

People, I have been looking forward to tonight ALL YEAR. Yes, tonight is the return of LOST. Don’t watch the show? Then you are not welcome on my blog. GET OFF NOW. just kidding – but that was kinda fun. Even though you are missing out on the best TV show EVER, there is still good news — because you can still participate in my poll.

Just know that our friendship hangs on the answer to the following question:

Are you Team Jack or Team Sawyer?

Jack

Sawyer

So you can imagine my delight when I came across this bad boy at The Nutcracker:

Can someone say buttercream? ugfsdugfusidgfsdugfuasdksnv oops. Excuse me as I drool all over the keyboard.

Two of these might have been consumed. And yes, they are as big as they look. Hey! What else do you expect me to do as I’m watching the Sugar Plum Fairy?

Some other photo highlights — because is there really anything else to say at this point?

Lobby of the theater

The stage!

ceiling of the lobby

The theater

The Mister and I are headed to yet ANOTHER HOLIDAY ADVENTURE!! Yes, yes we are quite festive

Must not have been too bad, because I did it again!

The Mister was hard at work winning more than $2,000 at a poker tournament (yes, you read that right, one of his many talents!) all Saturday afternoon, so I set out for a ‘Shannon’ day.

This consisted of hours in the bookstore, window shopping, ACTUAL xmas shopping at TJMaxx, hanging out at a coffee shop working on a *special project* and of course, a visit to Whole Foods. I happened to be at Whole Foods during the dinner hour (actually more like 7:30-8:30 pm, but close enough ), so I decided to take advantage of their amazing dine-in service, Osteria.

I ordered one of my favorites, the Vegetaranio Misto, which consists of roasted garlic, grilled vegetables & olives with sun-dried tomato pesto. Of course I ordered this dish SANS OLIVES (gag!).

Sorry for the blurry iPhone pic, but I figured it was better than nothing!

This sundried tomato pesto is out-of-this-world-AMAZING. As I type this I’m considering abandoning my cooking dinner and making a run for Osteria to get my fix.

I suppose that wouldn’t be very fair to the Mister though, huh? (especially since he’s already agreed to take me to NEW MOON this weekend! I told him that he’s going to have little tiny-boppers swooning over his resemblance of the dreamy Edward Cullen

See the resemblance?

Have a glorious evening!

Why, you ask?

Because, I went all ‘80-year-old’ on you and am just finishing up a glass of steamed milk. This isn’t just any mug of steamed milk though! It has a shot of sugar free caramel syrup in it! Why did I not see this item on the menu until now?! It’s the perfect treat to enjoy when I don’t need the caffeine that’s overflowing in my favorite lattes.

Unfortunately I don’t have my camera with me (bad blogger!), but thanks to Goggle image, I am able to give you an accurate depiction.

I’m finishing up getting through my inbox at one of my favorite coffee shops, Phoenix — if you are in the Cleveland, be sure to check out one of their locations — so delish! And I love the laid-back, eclectic ambiance.

Cheers!

Just a few weeks ago, a new smoothie shop/cafe opened just a short walk from my house.

Liquid Planet, exclusive to the Cleveland area, serves up salads, pitas, soups, smoothies and juices daily. The cafe uses organic and local ingredients, whenever possible.

Confession: The Mister and I have eaten here (and when I say ‘eaten here, I mean take out ) more 5 than times over the past two weeks. — Oh come on, stop raising your eyebrows at me! Jury duty has been keeping me later than usual and I haven’t had the time (or energy!) to whip up tasty dishes.

I always determine the ‘amazingness’ (yes, it’s a word) of a smoothie joint AFTER I try the peanut butter and banana smoothie (and they don’t even make it past the consideration point if they don’t offer one!). I figure that even if it is sub-par, it’s still PB and banana, how could you go wrong!? Well after trying Liquid Planet’s rendition, the Elvis Chill, I was certain I found a new favorite.

It was DELICIOUS! Made with non-fat frozen yogurt, it was the perfect consistency, with just the right peanut butter and banana ratio

After the Liquid Planet passed my pb/banana test, I figured I could give something else a try. Next up – pumpkin spice smoothie.

OMG.

Honestly, I told the Mister to watch me carefully because I am THIS CLOSE to buying 100 gallons of ice cream and pumpkin to make a bath of this heavenly concoction.

Do you have a favorite smoothie joint? What is your favorite concoction?