Twice-Baked Potato Recipe

This is one of my favorite things in the world to make. It's really simple. Enjoy!

3 large baking potatoes
salt and pepper
1/2 stick of unsalted butter
3 tablespoons of sour cream
2 stalks of green onion, finely sliced
1 tablespoon adobo seasoning
1/3 cup heavy cream
1-16oz bag of shredded sharp cheddar cheese

This one is pretty easy. Bake the potatoes at 400 degrees for 30 to 45 minutes or until done. Once done baking, let them rest until close to room temperature. Next, cut them in half lengthwise and scoop out the insides. The thickness of what's left of the potatoes should be about 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick. In a mixing bowl, take the leftover potato insides and the rest of the above ingredients and mix them all together thoroughly, leaving half the cheese for the topping. The mixture should resemble a cheesy mashed potato. This is also where you could get creative by adding things like bacon bits, diced sweet onion, ranch dressing packets, french onion soup packets, etc. The possibilities are endless. Next, you'll scoop your mashed potato mixture back into the potato shells. You then top each potato half with the rest of the shredded cheddar cheese. Bake at 425 degrees until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Enjoy!

My Favorite Scenes From Some of My Favorite Movies

What's up everyone? I was thinking about some of my favorite movies. I couldn't find clips of some movies, but I was able to get a bunch of them.

Elf
This is my favorite Christmas movie ever. I love it. Some of what makes Will Ferrell so amazing is his commitment to the character he's playing.


Just Friends
This scene is awesome. From the weird hug/shake thing to the flipping out in the car, this to me, is one of the funniest parts of this whole movie.


Usual suspects
This is by far one of the best endings to any movie ever.


Princess Bride
This movie is filled with great scenes. This one is my favorite. I laugh everytime I see it.


V for Vendetta
Some of the best writing I've experienced to date. This is a wonderful use of alliteration.


Wedding Crashers
I love this speech. It's just a great summary of dating. Funny stuff!!


The Shawshank Redemption
This is the scene that makes all the lows worthwhile. This is not just about liberation but hope. I love movies that focus on hope through adversity.

My Sweet and Spicy Green Beans

1 lbs. fresh green beans
1/2 cup sugar
3 tablespoons olive oil
2 cloves garlic, finely minced
2 pinches crushed red pepper flakes
salt and pepper

Once the green beans have been washed and the tips removed, you'll want to get get a pot of water boiling. Salt the water. Once the water is at a rolling boil, throw your green beans in. It only takes about one or two minutes to blanch them. You'll notice they turn bright green. When they're done, strain them in a colander. Next, heat a skillet on medium heat. Add the olive oil. Once that's slightly heated, add the red pepper flakes. As the oil heats the rest of the way, you'll notice the red pepper flakes start to bleed out, making the oil extra spicy. Now add the minced garlic. Give that about 2 to 3 stirs. Add the green beans. You'll want to salt and pepper to taste, but don't go too crazy with the salt. The green beans should continue tossing the green beans, allowing them to saute. As the green beans start to get close to the doneness that you like, add the sugar and make sure to keep stirring. You don't want let the sugar sit because it will fall to the bottom and caramelize. You want the sugar to incorporate. If it ends up too hot, my suggestion is to add a little more sugar. To get a more Asian feel, you can add sesame oil to start (along with the olive oil) and also throw in a couple of splashes of soy sauce once the green beans are in. Enjoy!!

To My Adopted Florida Family

I miss all of you. Now that I've been up north for about 4 months, it's made me realize how precious you all are to me. I'm thankful for times we shared together. I'm thankful for all the laughter even through all the tough times. I'm thankful for helping me keep my head on straight when I so badly just wanted to give up. I'm thankful for forgiving me during those times that I did stray. I'm thankful for all the free meals you blessed me with. I'm thankful for the comfort and solace during and after my grandpa's passing. I'm thankful for you sharing your lives with me. I'm thankful for showing me what true friendship consists of. I'm thankful for allowing me to not only come to but be a part of your family traditions. I wanted to let you all know how much you have meant to me over the last 7 years or so of my life. I hope that our friendships will continue to grow. I love you all very much and can't wait to see you again.

Love,
Chris

Top Ten Favorite Childhood Toys

I really must be reminiscing a lot lately...

Here is my list of the toys I used to play with as a kid.

1. Legos
This was by far my favorite toy. It was so much fun creating different things. I was also never one of those kids that used to build the things on the packages.

2. Big Wheel

What I remember most vividly about the big wheel was when you'd have ridden it too much and it ended up getting that flat side of the big tire.

3. Voltron

I remember being 5 when I received my first Voltron. It was the coolest toy in the apartment building.

4. GI Joes
The thing I remember most about these is they had interchangeable parts. We used to unscrew the backs, take them apart, and fully customize our Joes. I used to put the big muscular arms on the ninja, Snake Eyes, to make him look even more bad ass.

5. Transformers
These are still some of the coolest toys on the market. Nowadays, you virtually need some kind of engineering degree to get it to transform. Ahhh...the good ole days.

6. Teddy Ruxpin
I never actually had this toy. It was my brothers. I just remember you used to be able to put in any audio tape and his mouth would move. Teddy used to be able to get down on some "Love In An Elevator".

7. Tonka Trucks
This is the quintessential little boy's toy. I don't know many boys who didn't have one. I remember having it up until I was in high school. Was I really that big of a nostalgic dork back then as well?

8. He Man
This was one of those toys that, had it not been for the cartoon, none of us would have owned one. It was like the masculine version of a barbie doll. I'm surprised more males aren't scarred from owning this very homo-erotic action figure.

9. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

When these came out, I was pumped. These have got to be the most randomly named toys ever. It's as if they took a hat, filled it with a bunch of preadolescently appealing key words and just drew these four words. So random...

10. Micro Machines
The marketing team behind these little stupid toys were geniuses. All of us were completely enthralled by the Micro Machine Man. He just talked so fast. Kudos to you, Micro Machine people.

My Top 10 Favorite Viral Videos

Well, I started thinking about some of my favorite internet videos yesterday and decided to post a list of my faves. Some of these are ridiculous and I apologize for my odd sense of humor. Click the title to see the video.

1. Aicha
I don't know what possessed this guy to make this video, but thank you.

2. Completely Uncalled For
This is the greatest knock-knock joke EVER!

3. Scissors In Arm
I think this guy is secretly a ninja.

4. Laughing Baby
This kid is just plain adorable.

5. Here It Goes Again
Greatest choreographed music video EVER! (I really like capitalizing that word.)

6. The Landlord
Will Ferrell's best work to date.

7. I Feel GREAT!!
My favorite commercial of all time.

8. Kick a Monster's @$$
This little girl talks a big talk, but can she really back it up?

9. Omazing Grace
I almost feel bad posting this one...almost.

10. Extra Steering Wheel
Another great commercial.

Funny stuff

Ninja Rehearsal from Will Ferrell