A leap into "Before You Leap"...

"...it's time to look inside yourself. I'm not talking about opening your mouth and saying "ahh" or craning your neck to peer deep into your ear, fun though that may be. I'm talking about the inner you, or, as we call it around the swamp, your inner tadpole."

In 2006, Kermit released a fun, green book of memoirs and wisdom. Dedicated to Jim Henson, "...who first held me up for the world to see...", the book Before You Leap is a frog's eye view of life's greatest lessons, edited and typed by Jim Lewis. The book leaps (before you do) from topic to topic, delving into the subjects of love, life, and lillypads. About midway (just after adulthood and before life crisis) Kermit pauses to discuss getting in touch with your inner tadpole. Here's a selection taken from there.

"What is your inner tadpole? There are many different definitions. Some call it your soul or spirit. Others call it your conscience. Others call it that annoying little voice that tells you to laugh even though the last joke that Fozzie told was really not at all funny. Whatever you decide to call it, your inner tadpole is what guides you through the calm streams and raging rapids of life. It is what keeps you afloat at low tide and goes skinny-dipping with you at high tide. It is the essence of you.

"Why would you want to get back in touch with your inner tadpole? There are three simple reasons:
1. You want to make the most of every day.
2. You want to have someone to talk to when no one else is around.
3. You want to have someone to talk to after you get picked up for talking around talking to yourself.

"Let's start by opening a line of conversation with your inner tadpole. This is as easy as having a conversation with a friend. Just say, "Hello, inner tadpole, are you there?" and wait for an answer:
If you get no answer, wait and ask again.
If you get voicemail, press "3" followed by the pound sign (#) to leave a message.
If you still get no answer after several tries, try text messaging.
If all else fails, the network may be busy, so call back later.
If you get an answer but don't recognise the voice, chances are that your inner tadpole has outsourced its services to a country with a better cost-per-call ratio.
If, however, you hear a little voice inside respond, "Yeah, what is it?" then congratulations, you've reconnected with your inner tadpole."

To read more of Kermit's advice, such as how to get comfortable ("Put on the fuzzy bunny slippers. Heck, get crazy and make some hot cocoa."), the definition of love ("...the most overwhelming feeling in the world."), and what best to eat for lunch ("Never eat anything that could eat you for dinner."), then head out to the Amazon (dot.com), put on those bunny slippers and settle down with your own copy of Before You Leap.

Bake moi a cake called 'Love'

This delicious recipe is cooked up from a little book known as "In the Kitchen With Miss Piggy -- Fabulous Recipes from My Famous Celebrity Friends" (It's possible that this book and "It's A Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie" were in competition for the longest title of a Muppet related product.)

Kermit's Favorite Grasshopper Pie

by Kermit

"Kermie, Kermie, Kermie -- my sweet little Kermie. There's no way I would ever eat anything called grasshopper pie." - Miss P.

For the Crust

1 1/2 cups crushed Oreos (about 16 cookies)

2 tablespoons melted butter

For the Filling

1/3 cup milk

1 package unflavored gelatin

1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk

1/3 creme de menthe

1/3 cup creme de cacao

1 1/4 cups heavy cream

Topping

1/2 cup heavy cream

chocolate curls or shavings

(pick the chocolate of your choice -- semisweet, bittersweet, or milk)

To make the crust:

In a small bowl, stir together the Oreos and butter. Press onto the bottom and sides of a 9-inch pie dish. Refrigerate until ready to use.

To make the filling:

1. Put the milk into a small heatproof bowl and sprinkle the gelatin over it. Set aside for 5 minutes. In a medium-size bowl, whisk together the condensed milk, creme de menthe, and creme to cacao. Set aside.

2. Set the bowl of milk and gelatin over a small pan of boiling water or use a double boiler and stir gently until smooth, about 4 minutes. Whisk into the condensed milk mixture. Refrigerate the filling, stirring often, until it begins to set, 30-40 minutes. Whip the 1 1/4 cups cream until stiff and fold into the filling. Spoon into the pie crust and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.

To serve:

Whip the 1/2 cup cream and decorate the top of the pie. Sprinkle with chocolate curls.

"I prefer mine sprinkled with a dozen caramelized crickets." - K.F.

"Note: For a tasty dessert topping, fill fire extinguisher with whipped cream, aim hose as your favorite dessert (or frog), spray, and enjoy!" - Miss P.