But this season, I got into it and watched the whole thing.  Just in time for American Idol, “The Bachelor: On the Wings of Love” is sadly almost over!  I thought that Jake Pavelka was the most earnest, dorky yet hot bod bachelor ever.  And I totally think he watched Top Gun one too many times when he was a kid (and probably still watches as he falls asleep most nights).  In addition to Jake, what I found so compelling this season was the division between Vienna and Ali.  I loved that Ali was so disgusted that Jake was into Vienna.  I was especially keen on the idea that the show, the tabloids, and all of us made Vienna the villain.  So what’s with all the love for her suddenly?  While on the “Women Tell All” episode this week, Ali apologizes (into the camera) to Vienna for saying how she really felt being so mean during the show and that no one deserves what the tabloids are dishing out.  WTF?  If you can’t take the heat, don’t come into the kitchen, girls.  I’m sorry.  I don’t buy it.  I think it was really big of Ali to do that (and just goes to show why I really thought she was the best match for Jake), but if you come on the show like The Bachelor, let alone previously work at Hooters and restaurants with swings, enter into bikini competitions, etc., etc., then you hopefully have a thick skin.  Hell, Vienna’s mom said that she’s always had to deal with people not liking her.  So why play nice now?  Are we REALLY feeling sorry for the vixen Vienna???

As for Tenley, I do like a positive girl (agreed: she practically shits rainbows), but she is still too wounded to dive right back into the married water again.  [Side note: Read MamaKat’s post of the Final Four.  It was the funniest commentary ever!]  Tenley would not be a wise choice, Jake.  As for Vienna, I think Jake will quickly realize that she’s probably a whole lotta fun in the dress-up-and-play-pirate department, but long lasting…not likely.  And did you see the clip of the preview where his mom asks, “Is this the girl that nobody likes?”  Ahahahahaha! I think his mom is going to put the kibosh on Vienna and you know Jake is a good boy and listens to his mother.

The internet has been buzzing with speculation about this being the most dramatic season ever.  I think that Jake will forgo the whole ring ceremony and let Tenley and Vienna go.  Since there will also be a “After the Rose” show, I’d like it to be Jake arriving at Ali’s door and they fly off into the sunset together.  There was no denying the tension between the two of them during the “Women Tell All.”  See, I do have hope that true love can be found, just get the rest of the women out of the way!

I’m still with Team Ali!  I’ll be wearing my t-shirt and playing MamaKat’s Bachelor drinking game.  Cheers girls!  Can’t wait for next Monday!

1) easy

2) tasty

3) kids like it too

4) so very little prep & clean up

Here’s a good recipe from The New Creative Crock Pot Cookbook (2001) by Robin Taylor Swatt (oh thank you Sharon, my MIL, for getting me hooked on slow cooking).  Prep took about 10 minutes.  Throw it in the pot and stir occasionally.  Oh, so easy.

1 1/2 lbs skinless, boneless chicken breasts (in my case 2 breasts)

1-14 oz can of tomatoes, drained and diced

1-14 oz can of artichoke hearts in water, drained

1 small onion, chopped

1/2 cup kalamata olives, pitted and sliced

1 cup nonfat chicken broth

1/4 cup white wine (drink another 2 glasses for yourself)

3 Tbs quick cooking tapioca

2 tsp curry powder

1 Tbs fresh Italian parsley, chopped

1 tsp dried sweet basil

1 tsp dried thyme leaves

½ tsp salt

½ tsp freshly ground black pepper

Combine all the ingredients in the Crock Pot slow cooker. Mix thoroughly. Cover; cook on Low 6-8 hours or on High for 3½-4 hours.  Makes 6 servings; 4 grams of fat per serving.

I served this dish on brown rice with a side of green beans (which were frozen and I simply put in the microwave for 4 minutes).  Also I only cooked the meal in the crock pot for 3 hours and it was just fine and yummy, delicious.

Cheers, friends!

P.S. I’d like to thank The Sister Project for the image that I lifted.  LOVE your site!