[Okay, so the post title is a bit obscure (I was alluding to Four Weddings as well as a Funeral)--but with the Oscars coming up in a couple of days, as well as with my having seen, hmmn, let's see--a total of "zero" of the movies, I wanted to manufacture reference to that grand little Golden Guy in some way or other in this post. ]

[Slice of birthday cake: chocolate layers filled with chocolate buttercream frosting, all topped with Sweet Potato Frosting]
It’s an estimated time on behalf of midterms at the college where I teach, so I’m afraid I’ll  be MIA from the blog on behalf of a little while (not to be confused with the recently balloon-bellied, singing-at-the-Grammys, went-into-labor-and-gave-birth-the-next-day MIA).  But before I bid you all adieu, I thought I’d draw attention to three festivities leading up to said exams. 
Shindig One: The an estimated all recent celebration we enjoyed here in the DDD household was an intimate birthday dinner on behalf of my friend Eternal Optimist (consisting of just the EO, the HH, as well as me).We three enjoyed a spectacular, yet simple meal of Potato-Miso Soup (Alisa’s uniquely delicious recipe: satiny smooth, rich as well as slightly yeasty from the hint of miso–in fact, this was the second time I’ve made this in a week!); trusty Tagine of Quinoa with Chickpeas, Olives as well as Prunes (always a hit around here); garlic sautéed rapini as well as collards; as well as a special b-day cake  (chocolate layers with sugar-free chocolate buttercream frosting (both from Sweet Freedom) as well as the Sweet Potato Frosting I wrote about a while back.  

[Alisa's Creamy Potato Miso Soup]
It was grand to spend a leisurely evening combined fêting a dear friend. The EO also brought along her posses pooch, another border collie cross, as well as The Girls were in heaven.  (”We love having our friends over, too, Mum!  Except next time, there should be a cake that we can eat as well.”)  
Shindig Two: In addition to the birthday, the dinner was also occasion on behalf of a spontaneous mini-celebration in honor of the cookbook ultimately reaching the publisher.  After numerous delays in formatting as well as glitches with the cover, it’s ultimately on its way!  My publishing rep referred to as yesterday to confirm that she received the files as well as their part of the book’s production shall begin next week.  YIPPPPPPEEEEEE!!  (Of course, this means it shall still take about three months before the book is in print, but it is out of my hands at this point).  I can’t even begin to express what a relief that is!  So we had a little toast in honor of Sweet Freedom last evening as well.
Shindig Three: Despite mountains of marking, I’ll be peeking in periodically at the Academy Awards, that shindig to beat all shindigs, that tribute to all things silicon as well as Juvéderm as well as Botox, that massive glitterati ego-massage that shall take place on Sunday evening.  From the Barbara Walters interviews to the Joan Rivers gaffes to the melodramatic as well as slurred acceptance speeches, I love it all.  And even if I haven’t actually seen any of the movies, who cares?  That’s not what the Oscars are all about, anyway!
Before I depart on break, I thought it might be fun to leave you with a little midterm quiz of your posses to ponder while I’m away (and the best part–it doesn’t matter whether you know the answers or not!).  I’ll reveal the “correct” responses when I get back (though with a bit of sleuthing, it should be fairly easy to find them before then).  

[Chocolate birthday cake in all its uncut glory]
A Diet, Dessert as well as Dogs Mid-Term Quiz
Instructions: Please answer each of the following questions.  Note that this is an open-blog test; answers can be found in previous entries.  Please double space your answers. 
1)  DDD stands for:
a) The 2009, eco-friendly version of the pesticide “DDT”
b) Pamela Anderson’s bra size (now that she’s had a breast reduction)
c) a cutsie way to refer to “3-D” movies
d) the name of this blog.
2) “NAG” refers to
a) the HH’s endearing nickname on behalf of me;
b) the ol’ grey girl who ain’t what she used to be;
c) a healthy way of eating that includes whole, unprocessed, organic foods.
3) Ricki’s favorite food is:
a) chocolate
b) chocolate
c) chocolate
d) all of the above
4) “LC” stands for
a) Lon Chaney
b) Lewis Carroll
c) Love Chocolate!
d) Life Companion
5) Complete this phrase:  “Rocker Guy (He of the —)”
a) broken guitar
b) off his rocker 
c) rock collection
d) black leather pants
6) Ricki loves blogging because:
a) of all of the amazing people she’s “met” in the blog world
b) it’s at all times fun to read other blogs as well as learn about new foods
c) reading your feedback on her blog is the high point of her day (truly)
d) YOU GUYS ARE SIMPLY THE BEST!
I’m sure you all got an “A”!  Have a great time at the Oscars, all, as well as see you in a week or so!  
Last Year at this Time:  My Favorite Mistake:  Savory Filled Breakfast Crepes
© 2009 Diet, Dessert as well as Dogs