Now you may feel like we hardly ever podcast anymore. But the truth of the matter is that we record plenty of podcasts, but we don’t necessarily post them because, well, they’re lame. Or the sound’s even worse than usual. Or we were interrupted 421 times by preschoolers who wanted juice or Goldfish or whathaveyou while we were trying to record.

This week, however, we’re actually posting the WHOLE ENTIRE THING. Even though the sound’s still sort of bad because Big Mama and FryDaddy couldn’t hear me, but I could hear them fine, so I had to turn up my sound output, only on the podcast I’m VERY, VERY LOUD and they’re not as loud, only I wasn’t trying to be loud, and IS THERE AN A/V PERSON IN THE HOUSE?

Also: we laugh a sort of obnoxious amount at things that probably aren’t particularly funny. However, we’re always happy to cast on the pod with our buddy FryDaddy, who has all sorts of great perspective about American Idol and also manages not to SCREAM HIS HEAD OFF when Big Mama and I go ON and ON and ON about a pair of fab wedge sandals.

We also talk about music we loved in high school, Christy Nockels (SHOCK. SURPRISE.), our favorite AI moments of years’ past and our NCAA tourney picks, despite the fact that I had a devil of a time locating my bracket online.

It is also worth noting that Big Mama and I managed to record an entire podcast without mentioning our hair. Clearly the Lord has done a special work in our hearts.

And seriously, thanks for your patience with our sound limitations. Big Mama and I would like to tell you that we’re diligently working on our sound ish-ahs behind the scenes, but the truth of the matter is that we’re pretty much flying by the seat of our pants. However, when we are flying by the seat of our pants, we try to wear pants that are sassy. Because that’s important to us when podcasting.

Click here to listen on the web. Or, you can go here and then click on the speaker next to Episode 11.

Subscribe via iTunes here.

Subscribe via RSS feed here.

And as always, we thank you for your patronage.

LOOK! A HANDY LIST FORMAT!

1. Big Mama’s blog has moved to a brand new location. And she has a mighty sassy new design courtesy of Jules. And I recognize that you probably know all of this already, but I always try to err on the side of redundancy.

(Attention! Big Mama’s blog has moved!)

(See what I mean?)

2. I have been doing a lot of cooking for the last couple of days, which is why you’ve had to look at the post about unfortunate bedtime smells for the last forty eight hours. But all the cooking has reminded me that this recipe? And this one? Gold.

3. I’ve also made a couple of batches of cheese grits. And as I made the cheese grits, I wondered how many of you have never eaten grits before. Because grits are a bit of a staple in these parts. So perhaps some kind of informal survey is in order. Oh thank you.

4. So I’ve tried to not talk too much about the basketball for the last couple of weeks because I know that many of you don’t enjoy it when I talk about the basketball. But the problem with that is that I really, really QUADRUPLE LOVE the basketball, especially when my beloved Bulldogs are in the NCAA tournament, and even moreso when my beloved Bulldogs win their first-round tournament game.

Up next? A little team called Memphis.

They are sort of good.

5. There’s a new podcast on the way.

I KNOW!

We probably won’t post it until Monday because, well, tomorrow is Easter, and somehow it seems wrong, all wrong to commemorate the day of Resurrection by asking you to listen to Big Mama, FryDaddy and me talk about American Idol.

So it’ll keep until Monday.

And we haven’t stopped recording podcasts, I promise – but the last two just have not been up to our lofty standards of mediocrity. Believe me when I tell you that our heart’s desire is to be the highest quality of all the low-quality podcasts (bonus points if you can name that reference), and we will settle for nothing less.

So be patient with us while we shoot for the shrubs.

6. I don’t really have a number six. But for some reason I do not want to end on an even number. Odd numbers are so much more interesting, don’t you think?

7. Happy Easter, everybody.

Dear Alex,

A little over five years ago a nurse placed you in my arms for the first time. I knew in that moment that my life would never be the same, and I was right. Having you here has made life more fun and wonderful and rich than you can even imagine. You are, quite simply, the greatest blessing that your daddy and I have ever known.

Since you came into our lives we’ve experienced all sorts of immeasurably wonderful moments, and last night was no exception. Because as we were snuggling just before bedtime, getting ready to read one of your favorite stories, you rubbed your hands over your sleepy, sweet blue eyes, inhaled deeply, and uttered words that are pure poetry to any mother’s ears:

“Mama? My two fingers smell like poot!”

Such a tender moment. What a precious treasure.

Love,
Mama

All righty, internets – it’s time to have us a good, old-fashioned Dave Barnes giveaway.

Though I cannot actually give away Dave Barnes.

Because his wife would probably be a little upset with me. Not to mention that you would have a terribly difficult time explaining to your families why a grown man you have never in fact met is coming to live with you.

So the CD, I’m afraid, will have to do.

And the CD will actually do JUST FINE, THANK YOU MA’AM, because it is in fact delightful.

Here’s what you need to do if you’d like to win:

1. Click here to go to Dave Barnes’ website. If you’re on dial-up, go here instead. Because it will load a little faster. And you’ll be less likely to scream things like, “DADBLAMEIT, BOOMAMA WOMAN, DON’T YOU KNOW I’M ON DIAL-UP?!?!?!”

And the giveaway will be so much happier if there’s no screaming.

2. Listen to the song samples. Amazon’s song samples are super short (and, truth be told, somewhat random), so you’ll get a better idea of the Dave Barnes FLAVA (and I often use the word FLAVA in casual conversation, by the way – I think it suits me) if you listen to the songs on his website.

3. Come back here and tell me your favorite song in the comments. And if you already know your favorite song, then please click over to Dave Barnes’ website anyway, OH JUST HUMOR ME.

I’ll leave the giveaway open until Monday, March 24th – at which point I’ll use random.org to pick TEN LUCKY WINNERS!

(sidenote: I don’t really believe in luck, but it seemed somewhat odd to say TEN PROVIDENTIAL WINNERS, so we’ll just go with “lucky,” m’kay?)

Enjoy the Dave Barnes, my friends!

This giveaway is now closed.

Yay, Beatles. Again. For the second week in a row.

Yay. Woohooyay.

Don’t I sound enthusiastic?

Amanda Overmyer – “Back in the USSR” – I still think those pants from last week are rockin’. In case you were wondering. And does anybody remember Billy Joel’s version of this song? I haven’t thought about it in years, but I found myself wishing for it a little bit tonight. I think Amanda is great, and I’m officially a fan, but I think this was the wrong song for her – she seemed bored, almost. And I think she’s doing the same thing over and over each week. At this point it’s time to switch it up and surprise us just a little bit. I still don’t feel like I’ve really heard her sing.

Kristy Lee Cook – “You’ve Got To Hide Your Love Away” – Okay. This is tricky. Because she started off really, really well – to the point that I was thinking we had a comeback of gigantor proportions. But as soon as the band kicked in, she got a little off-pitch and seemed to lose her footing. It was better at the end, though – and even with the rough parts, it was leaps and bounds better than last week.

David Archuleta – “The Long And Winding Road” – So that? Was GREAT.

Michael Johns – “A Day In The Life” – I don’t think there’s ever been an Idol contestant I’ve wanted to enjoy more than I want to enjoy Michael Johns. But y’all? Week after week I feel like he’s just a little bit short of being really memorable. And tonight was the same sort of deal. I wanted him to just BREAK OUT and wow us, but it felt like both he and the song were sort of scattered. And that makes me a little bit sad.

Brooke White – “Here Comes The Sun” – For what it’s worth – and it’s no reflection on Brooke – I think that this song is really, excruciatingly boring. And Brooke seemed just a wee bit uncomfortable without having a guitar or a piano or anything in between her and the audience. But still. I love her voice. And furthermore, I thought that her dress was absolutely adorable.

David Cook – “Daytripper” – I could have done without the Roger & Zapp-like voice box action, but I thought this performance was pretty memorable. However, I think he has to be careful not to look like he’s doing his very best Daughtry impersonation week after week. I think he’s going to have to mix it up a little bit next week and show us that he can do something different.

Carly Smithson – “Blackbird” – This is actually one of my favorite Beatles songs – thanks to Sarah Mclachlan’s cover of it back in the early 90′s. And while I liked this performance, I didn’t love it. I don’t even know if I can explain why. I think that she’s super-talented, but she didn’t do anything tonight that blew me away.

Jason Castro – “Michelle” – I’m worried before he even starts because I think it’s dangerous to sing a song that has different languages in it when you don’t in fact speak those languages. And like “Here Comes The Sun,” this song is just a little boring to me. And because it’s a little boring, I don’t think Jason’s personality came through. I would have loved for him to do a crazy new take on it – really rock it out – but as it stands, it was just a’ight for me.

Syesha Mercado – “Yesterday” – I think this was her best performance so far. Hands down.

Chikezie – “I’ve Just Seen A Face” – So the arrangement was a little strange and surprising – to say the least – but hey, I wasn’t bored. Which is more than I’ve been able to say the rest of the night. And in the end, I really liked it.

Ramiele Malubay – “I Should’ve Known Better” – Hey y’all? I totally think that Paula picked out her outfit. I really do. And as for the singing, she still doesn’t seem entirely comfortable on the stage. She did better this week, but I felt like she got lost in the song.

Should go – Ramiele

Will go – Ramiele

Best of the night – In all honesty, y’all – IN CASE YOU DIDN’T NOTICE – I was bored out of my mind tonight. And it felt like the contestants were in the same boat that I was. But if I have to pick the best, I’d say David Archuleta.

Here’s to hoping that next week is better.

And if you want to link to your specific post about tonight’s Idol, just add the URL for your specific post to the Mr. Linky below. Thanks, y’all!