Today is Friday, and I have the day off from the library. That is enough of a reason to celebrate to me. It's time to dance!! Reenie shared the following video with me on her blog and it made me laugh. Thanks Reenie!
This was filmed on the USS Enterprise and is the Navy's answer to the Numa Numa dance. These fellows are letting off a bit of steam, getting a little crazy, and having some fun. Looks like a good stress buster to me. Happy weekend to you all!
Now come on, let's dance! If these guys can do it, so can you.
Friday, October 10, 2008
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Portuguese Chicken and Rice
I've been wanting to make some of my grandmother's Portuguese Chicken and Rice.
I searched on the Internet and although I didn't find a recipe that reminded me of hers, I did find one that sounded very good. You can find it here.
Full Bellies, Happy Kids looks like a great blog with lots of Portuguese dishes, and one that I'll be returning to often! Thanks, Sandra, for this delicious recipe!
I made a few changes to the original recipe along the way, taking into account our tastes. You can see my recipe here.
Put chicken pieces into a pot with bacon, onion and a bay leaf. (I used thighs, but you can use boneless breasts, or cut a whole chicken into pieces) Cook on medium heat until chicken is cooked.
Remove the cooked chicken, onion, bacon and bay leaf to a bowl and set aside.
Pour rice into the chicken broth and simmer for about 20 minutes, or until the rice is cooked.
This is the yummy part: mix butter, olive oil, paprika, garlic powder and Old Bay Seasoning.
Spread the cooked rice in the bottom of a 9x13 pan.
Roll each piece of chicken around in the butter mixture and place them on the rice. Add the onions and bacon around the chicken. Then pour the rest of the butter mixture over the entire casserole.
Bake at 425 for 30 minutes or until the chicken is browned and bacon is crispy.
This is a great dish... simple and delicious! Try it out and let me know how you like it!
Politics of Fashion: Celebrities and Fashion Designers Hearts Obama
Who said that fashion and politics don't mix? Well, he or she is wrong. Today, politics are evidently entering the world of fashion. We can see political phrases and slogans on some items of clothing that advertise specific candidates or political parties.
Sarah Palin is not the only politician who is setting fashion trends. Barack Obama is also becoming a fashion icon. After being featured in Andrew Christian's Obama ‘08 boxer briefs, he was also featured on the runways of Paris in the Jean-Charles de Castelbajac show. Obama's face can be seen on a sporty yellow sequined dress and was completed with a matching gloves that said YES and NO.
Some famous fashion designers including Zac Posen, Marc Jacobs, Rag & Bone and Derek Lam produce merchandise for Obama's official online store.
Moreover, Hollywood celebrities like Kim Kardashian, Madonna and Halle Berry said yes to Obama as they pledge their allegiance to him by regularly wearing Obama tee shirts.
In addition to the list, Drew Barrymore gets into the election season spirit on the cover of November's Harper's Bazaar. Like lots of other celebrities, she wants to encourage young people to vote while at the same time endorses Barack Obama.
Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4
Sarah Palin is not the only politician who is setting fashion trends. Barack Obama is also becoming a fashion icon. After being featured in Andrew Christian's Obama ‘08 boxer briefs, he was also featured on the runways of Paris in the Jean-Charles de Castelbajac show. Obama's face can be seen on a sporty yellow sequined dress and was completed with a matching gloves that said YES and NO.
Some famous fashion designers including Zac Posen, Marc Jacobs, Rag & Bone and Derek Lam produce merchandise for Obama's official online store.
Moreover, Hollywood celebrities like Kim Kardashian, Madonna and Halle Berry said yes to Obama as they pledge their allegiance to him by regularly wearing Obama tee shirts.
In addition to the list, Drew Barrymore gets into the election season spirit on the cover of November's Harper's Bazaar. Like lots of other celebrities, she wants to encourage young people to vote while at the same time endorses Barack Obama.
Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
The state of our stadiums
No good. Went early morning today to Chinnaswamy and no information was available on where to get tickets, when will the gates open and on whether were tickets still available. That I still thought this was better than Kotla should be a fairly honest reflection of the state of our stadiums of the most popular game in the second most populated nation of the world.
Of course, all this because Ticketpro itself in the first place proved to be a mess of a site with "unexpected errors" cropping up everytime you proceed to pay. Another friend got lucky on the 6th attempt.
Of course, all this because Ticketpro itself in the first place proved to be a mess of a site with "unexpected errors" cropping up everytime you proceed to pay. Another friend got lucky on the 6th attempt.
Pumpkin Nut Muffins
It's October in Havre, Montana. The wind has blown most of the leaves from the trees. The air is crisp. The geese fly overhead.
I guess I should make something with pumpkin. (You thought I was about to get all poetic and stuff, didn't you?)
These pumpkin muffins are the best! I make them every year, and have even made them for Thanksgiving dinner to serve instead of bread or rolls.
Here's what you'll need:
Oh, I want to tell you about these measuring spoons first. They were my Mom's. I bet they're 50 years old. I like using them when I bake.
Put the flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger in a sifter.
Oh, I want to tell you about my nutmeg first. About 20 years ago I found a little jar full of whole nutmegs and a tiny little grater. It was the cutest thing.
I bought it.
The grater is probably 2 inches long. I use this whenever a recipe calls for nutmeg. Freshly grated nutmeg smells so good!
(Oh, just so you know... I've long since used the nutmegs from the original jar and have replaced them with fresh nutmegs! I can hear some of you saying "Ewww, she's using 20 year old nutmegs???" "I'm not going to eat any of those muffins!")
Sift the dry ingredients.
Oh, I want to tell you about the raisins for this recipe first. I put them in a little bowl and add some sherry. Then I microwave them for one minute. It plumps up the raisins and adds a bit of flavor. So, do this before you start mixing everything up.
Put the eggs, milk, melted butter, Karo syrup, vanilla, sugar, and pumpkin into a bowl.
Whisk it until smooth.
Add the dry ingredients all at once.
Then, with a spatula, mix the dry ingredients into the wet... just until moistened.
The best spatulas in the world are from Pampered Chef. They're one piece, so the spatula never comes off the handle when you're using it, and it'll take a beating up to 80,534 degrees. (Actually, I think it's 600 degrees, but that's really hot, too). You can buy these spatulas by clicking right here.
Fresh out of the oven!
Here you go... don't they look great?! You can find the recipe for these delicious things by clicking right here.
I guess I should make something with pumpkin. (You thought I was about to get all poetic and stuff, didn't you?)
These pumpkin muffins are the best! I make them every year, and have even made them for Thanksgiving dinner to serve instead of bread or rolls.
Here's what you'll need:
Oh, I want to tell you about these measuring spoons first. They were my Mom's. I bet they're 50 years old. I like using them when I bake.
Put the flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger in a sifter. 
Oh, I want to tell you about my nutmeg first. About 20 years ago I found a little jar full of whole nutmegs and a tiny little grater. It was the cutest thing.I bought it.
The grater is probably 2 inches long. I use this whenever a recipe calls for nutmeg. Freshly grated nutmeg smells so good! (Oh, just so you know... I've long since used the nutmegs from the original jar and have replaced them with fresh nutmegs! I can hear some of you saying "Ewww, she's using 20 year old nutmegs???" "I'm not going to eat any of those muffins!")
Sift the dry ingredients.
Oh, I want to tell you about the raisins for this recipe first. I put them in a little bowl and add some sherry. Then I microwave them for one minute. It plumps up the raisins and adds a bit of flavor. So, do this before you start mixing everything up.
Put the eggs, milk, melted butter, Karo syrup, vanilla, sugar, and pumpkin into a bowl.
Whisk it until smooth.
Add the dry ingredients all at once.
Then, with a spatula, mix the dry ingredients into the wet... just until moistened.
The best spatulas in the world are from Pampered Chef. They're one piece, so the spatula never comes off the handle when you're using it, and it'll take a beating up to 80,534 degrees. (Actually, I think it's 600 degrees, but that's really hot, too). You can buy these spatulas by clicking right here.Now, mix in the raisins and walnuts.
Put them in muffin tins that you've sprayed with that cooking oil spray stuff. This recipe makes between 11 and 15 muffins, depending on how big your muffin tins are.
Put them in muffin tins that you've sprayed with that cooking oil spray stuff. This recipe makes between 11 and 15 muffins, depending on how big your muffin tins are. 
Fresh out of the oven!
Here you go... don't they look great?! You can find the recipe for these delicious things by clicking right here.
Crowds
Here's a little video of Alison Krauss singing "Down in the River...". it gives you an idea of what the crowds were like on Friday evening, the least busy day of the festival. Sorry about the jerky-cam and poor quality sound.
Hardly Strictly Moshpit
Went to the HSB fest in Golden Gate Park this weekend, and it was by far the best yet. As a travelling crew, we've finally got it down so it's minimal stress and maximal fun. And the music this year was Hot! Pictures here are a little small, I need a telephoto next year.
Gogol Bordello was the biggest highlight. I had high expectations and they did not disappoint. They sound great and the live show is blindingly awesome.
Alison Krauss and Robert Plant were pretty amazing as well. He has definitely still go it and let's all pray she never loses it.
Heavy Trash is a band to watch for, if you like rockabilly. They started with a song calling out "Peter Cushing", "Hammer Horror" and so on, so they got a plus in my book. They look damn slick too.
We also saw Jerry Jeff, Iron and Wine (barely), the Gourds, Peter Rowan, Richard Thompson (I could see his beret with my binoculars), Bad Livers, Odetta, and Elvis Costello. Damn! And I feel like we missed so much.
I read that there were 40,000 people Saturday and 100,000 people Sunday. So it got to be a little hard to move around, but was well worth and we'll see you there next year.
Gogol Bordello was the biggest highlight. I had high expectations and they did not disappoint. They sound great and the live show is blindingly awesome.
Alison Krauss and Robert Plant were pretty amazing as well. He has definitely still go it and let's all pray she never loses it.
Heavy Trash is a band to watch for, if you like rockabilly. They started with a song calling out "Peter Cushing", "Hammer Horror" and so on, so they got a plus in my book. They look damn slick too.
We also saw Jerry Jeff, Iron and Wine (barely), the Gourds, Peter Rowan, Richard Thompson (I could see his beret with my binoculars), Bad Livers, Odetta, and Elvis Costello. Damn! And I feel like we missed so much.
I read that there were 40,000 people Saturday and 100,000 people Sunday. So it got to be a little hard to move around, but was well worth and we'll see you there next year.
Fashion Alert: Sweaters Made From Dog's Wool
Erwan Fichou has a photography series entitled “Dog Wool”. The series captures the portraits of people posing with their pets and wearing coats or sweaters that resembles the fur of their pets.
In fact, the sweaters are made from the fur of their own pet dogs. The hair, once recovered after brushing, is carefully preserved until the necessary amount for knitting is collected. The hair is spun into balls of 50 grams by a specialist, before returning the fabric via mail to the owner. The hair is then used to construct the garment.
If you want to be in with this fashion trend and wear your dog's fur, you can contact Doumé Jalat-Dehen to make a sweater for you.
Source
In fact, the sweaters are made from the fur of their own pet dogs. The hair, once recovered after brushing, is carefully preserved until the necessary amount for knitting is collected. The hair is spun into balls of 50 grams by a specialist, before returning the fabric via mail to the owner. The hair is then used to construct the garment.
If you want to be in with this fashion trend and wear your dog's fur, you can contact Doumé Jalat-Dehen to make a sweater for you.
Source
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Three things sell this newspaper: Tragedy, sex, & Superman. These people have had enough tragedy, & we all know you can't write worth a damn about sex
No 496 - Superman Returns
Director - Bryan Singer
I have decided to view this film separately from the Richard Donner original, which does appear later on in the poll. My reasoning for this is that this film had a sizable gap between it and the originals, it has a new director and a whole new cast. Although Bryan Singer viewed it to be a sequel for Superman 2 (ignoring 3 & 4 in the original series) it is detached enough for me to view it as a separate film. So i have done so.
Now, this film suffers from the fact that I have never been able to take it all in. I have tried to watch it twice and both times there have been external forces plotting against me... The first time was on a yacht where I was sufficiently distracted from giving it my full attention (no further information needed methinks). The second time was tonight where I tried to watch it in a capacity where I could write a decent essay about it but my blasted flatmate would not shut the fuck up!
So, I'm still not 100% sure what actually happens, but I will paraphrase what I understand, and then base my discussion around what I have pieced together.
I also sat through the film listening to Elliot lust after Kate Bosworth's Lois whereas I saw myself leaning much more towards Kitty, Played by Parker Posey (although, in the picture I put up of Kate Bosworth - she looks gorgeous). However, at points like this it is important to note that I am very shallow, so this whole preference could have come solely out of the fact that Kitty has far better outfits. Interestingly, I don't fancy Lex, but he has some excellent suits as well, including a very tasteful brown corduroy number. I particularly want the white trench coat he is wearing for the final few scenes.
However, my main grievance with the film is that besides the excellent portrayal of the villains, I have very little to say about it.
PS - No I don't know why the first half of this post is underlined - I can't make it stop....
Director - Bryan Singer
I have decided to view this film separately from the Richard Donner original, which does appear later on in the poll. My reasoning for this is that this film had a sizable gap between it and the originals, it has a new director and a whole new cast. Although Bryan Singer viewed it to be a sequel for Superman 2 (ignoring 3 & 4 in the original series) it is detached enough for me to view it as a separate film. So i have done so.
Now, this film suffers from the fact that I have never been able to take it all in. I have tried to watch it twice and both times there have been external forces plotting against me... The first time was on a yacht where I was sufficiently distracted from giving it my full attention (no further information needed methinks). The second time was tonight where I tried to watch it in a capacity where I could write a decent essay about it but my blasted flatmate would not shut the fuck up!
So, I'm still not 100% sure what actually happens, but I will paraphrase what I understand, and then base my discussion around what I have pieced together.
- Superman has been away on Krypton for a while - which subsequently explodes bringing him back to Earth in a convenient meteor
- Lois Lane is all totally "Oh I don't need Superman, he is a douche bag" and is engaged and has a kid.
- Lex Luther is doing something with crystals from the fortress of solitude which ends with him creating a Kryptonite based magical continent to live in.
I also sat through the film listening to Elliot lust after Kate Bosworth's Lois whereas I saw myself leaning much more towards Kitty, Played by Parker Posey (although, in the picture I put up of Kate Bosworth - she looks gorgeous). However, at points like this it is important to note that I am very shallow, so this whole preference could have come solely out of the fact that Kitty has far better outfits. Interestingly, I don't fancy Lex, but he has some excellent suits as well, including a very tasteful brown corduroy number. I particularly want the white trench coat he is wearing for the final few scenes.
However, my main grievance with the film is that besides the excellent portrayal of the villains, I have very little to say about it.
- The new advancements in special effects mean that the 'Man of Steel' elements of the film look impressive, with rescues and flights looking amazin and creating a real sense of scale or drama. My particular favourite is when Supes gets shot in the eye and the bullet crumples on impact.
- The retro continuity is an excellent touch. The original theme and original style title credits help create a sense of continuity as does clever use of existing Brando footage and the casting of Brandon Routh, who really does look like Christopher Reeves (especially as Clark Kent)
PS - No I don't know why the first half of this post is underlined - I can't make it stop....
Ten oughta do it, don't you think? You think we need one more? You think we need one more. All right, we'll get one more.
Film 500 - Ocean's 11
Director - Steven Soderbergh
At last! We can begin with film 500.... Today for this blog I am joined by none other than Mr Elliot Kenneth Biddle. Who will occasionally add his excellent wisdom and quips to the film.
The reputation of this film has been tarnished by the subsequent sequels which have leant slightly too far towards "isn't it fun watching the beautiful people pissing about in a film" - This film has the advantage of being somewhat intelligent in plot and stuff.
This is a remake of a film that I haven't seen - however it does star the rat pack (the original one does), this makes it intrinsically cool. However it means that I can't knock up any serious comparisons. Or silly comparisons. In fact no comparisons at all can be drawn because I haven't seen one.... But I'm repeating myself. I am reliably informed that while this version of the film is smoother & suaver than the original it is not quite as quick & funny. Neither is the ending as comedically tragic.
So let's talk about what is good about this film.
1) ELLIOTT GOULD!
He is cool. 'Nuff said really. When I am a rich old man I hope I can wear enormous glasses and swan about in smoking jackets with cigars in a cigar holder. Yes he is that pimp. He has a holder. For his cigars. This a whole new level of pimp and must be respected. And Elliott Gould is always cool in everything. He even made Friends good.
I mean, I already own smoking jackets, but that is but the first step. Mr Biddle would like it known that his name really is Elliot & he already smokes cigars & is thus further ahead in the 'Gould Rush' than I. Bastard.
2) George Clooney is an American who can do subtle comedy! And (ooh controversial - starting a sentence with an And) he is pretty good at self deprecation. These are rare qualities and it is what makes old Mr Clooney such an admirable leading man. This also spills out into the relationships with other characters. Whilst the sequels do somewhat milk the relationships, the '11' of Mr Ocean are an easy going and have an effortlessly cool rapport. It shows that Clooney and Pitt are friends outside of the film and that they have let the same playful banter show in the film. They're not even trying to hide it.
And the third and final main point is:
3) Don Cheadle - His character might not be all that but he does have the greatest Cockney accent since Dick Van Dyke and that surely deserves a wee mention.
I suppose, much like Saw, this film has suffered from its sequels - which have taken what was successful and different from the first film, and milked it to the extreme.
However Steven Soderburgh is a cool director and has a naturally breezy jazzy style to his mainstream films and an easy relationship with George Clooney (we'll explore this further with Out of Sight, later on) - which means that the film is VERY easy to watch. The pay off at the end of the film is excellent - the heist is perfectly calculated and very clever. The problem is that it is easy to drift into conversation as the film builds up to that point. I watched this film with a group of friends and the laid back nature of the film meant we ended up chatting over 2/3rds of it.
This doesn't mean the film isn't enjoyable... just that it is complete vacuous popcorn cinema.
And (yes, I did it again) special mention to Bernie Mac who is excellent in this film... and sadly dead now.
My only real problem with this film is that the only female in it is Julia Roberts. As this blog shows I do somewhat enjoy my eye candy.... and she doesn't quite float mon boat. As the French say....
Director - Steven Soderbergh
At last! We can begin with film 500.... Today for this blog I am joined by none other than Mr Elliot Kenneth Biddle. Who will occasionally add his excellent wisdom and quips to the film.
The reputation of this film has been tarnished by the subsequent sequels which have leant slightly too far towards "isn't it fun watching the beautiful people pissing about in a film" - This film has the advantage of being somewhat intelligent in plot and stuff.
This is a remake of a film that I haven't seen - however it does star the rat pack (the original one does), this makes it intrinsically cool. However it means that I can't knock up any serious comparisons. Or silly comparisons. In fact no comparisons at all can be drawn because I haven't seen one.... But I'm repeating myself. I am reliably informed that while this version of the film is smoother & suaver than the original it is not quite as quick & funny. Neither is the ending as comedically tragic.
So let's talk about what is good about this film.
1) ELLIOTT GOULD!
He is cool. 'Nuff said really. When I am a rich old man I hope I can wear enormous glasses and swan about in smoking jackets with cigars in a cigar holder. Yes he is that pimp. He has a holder. For his cigars. This a whole new level of pimp and must be respected. And Elliott Gould is always cool in everything. He even made Friends good.
I mean, I already own smoking jackets, but that is but the first step. Mr Biddle would like it known that his name really is Elliot & he already smokes cigars & is thus further ahead in the 'Gould Rush' than I. Bastard.
2) George Clooney is an American who can do subtle comedy! And (ooh controversial - starting a sentence with an And) he is pretty good at self deprecation. These are rare qualities and it is what makes old Mr Clooney such an admirable leading man. This also spills out into the relationships with other characters. Whilst the sequels do somewhat milk the relationships, the '11' of Mr Ocean are an easy going and have an effortlessly cool rapport. It shows that Clooney and Pitt are friends outside of the film and that they have let the same playful banter show in the film. They're not even trying to hide it.
And the third and final main point is:
3) Don Cheadle - His character might not be all that but he does have the greatest Cockney accent since Dick Van Dyke and that surely deserves a wee mention.
I suppose, much like Saw, this film has suffered from its sequels - which have taken what was successful and different from the first film, and milked it to the extreme.
However Steven Soderburgh is a cool director and has a naturally breezy jazzy style to his mainstream films and an easy relationship with George Clooney (we'll explore this further with Out of Sight, later on) - which means that the film is VERY easy to watch. The pay off at the end of the film is excellent - the heist is perfectly calculated and very clever. The problem is that it is easy to drift into conversation as the film builds up to that point. I watched this film with a group of friends and the laid back nature of the film meant we ended up chatting over 2/3rds of it.
This doesn't mean the film isn't enjoyable... just that it is complete vacuous popcorn cinema.
And (yes, I did it again) special mention to Bernie Mac who is excellent in this film... and sadly dead now.
My only real problem with this film is that the only female in it is Julia Roberts. As this blog shows I do somewhat enjoy my eye candy.... and she doesn't quite float mon boat. As the French say....
Little Children Know How To Dance
Gabcast! Dancing With Daisy #36 - Little Children Know How To Dance
Click the play button to hear me read this poem.
Click the play button to hear me read this poem.
Little Children Know How To Dance
Little children know how to dance.
They're not afraid to take a chance.
They just get up and move, by the seat of their pants.
There's no need for lessons or to know all the steps.
They are not dancing to be noticed or to make others impressed.
They're just filled with joy, moving to the beat.
Dancing is just happiness overflowing through their feet.
With a wiggle and a giggle and a hop and a jump,
They'll dance till they're breathless doing the be-bop-de-bump.
They have their own style. They have their own rhythm.
They make you smile so much----like you're dancing there with them.
Little children know how to dance.
They're not afraid to take a chance.
They just get up and move, by the seat of their pants.
There's no need for lessons or to know all the steps.
They are not dancing to be noticed or to make others impressed.
They're just filled with joy, moving to the beat.
Dancing is just happiness overflowing through their feet.
With a wiggle and a giggle and a hop and a jump,
They'll dance till they're breathless doing the be-bop-de-bump.
They have their own style. They have their own rhythm.
They make you smile so much----like you're dancing there with them.
Monday, October 6, 2008
Agyness Deyn is Feeling Falling for Pop Magazine
Maybe UK model Agyness Deyn was feeling high so she jumped from five stories of a building and landed on a giant crash mat. Let's thank photographer, Ryan McGinley for capturing that falling moment. The photographs will be published in the fall issue of POP magazine, which is entitled “Feeling Falling”.
To view the full gallery, visit fashionologie.
To view the full gallery, visit fashionologie.
Reborn Fashion with Harvey Nichols
Watching almost every ad campaign as they unfold right in front of our own eyes, we can say that a great ad campaign is one that captures the interest and curiosity of the viewers without resorting to needless sex, violence, blood or aimless shock-advertising.
Their latest ads by Concept, Turkey shows shoppers as newborns with the delivery doctor holding them upsidedown. The ads use the tagline, "Are you ready to be reborn?" The ads relays a message that experiencing the Harvey Nichols fashion line is unlike any other fashion experience you’ve had before. Once you put the clothes on, it’ll be as if you were reborn.
Nowadays, we can rarely see ads that are genuinely clever and witty and Harvey Nichols belong to one of the few brands who create ads with essence. I can still remember my first post about their Fashion Statements ads, the models are with big balloons that knocked down all the people around them.
Photo Source
Their latest ads by Concept, Turkey shows shoppers as newborns with the delivery doctor holding them upsidedown. The ads use the tagline, "Are you ready to be reborn?" The ads relays a message that experiencing the Harvey Nichols fashion line is unlike any other fashion experience you’ve had before. Once you put the clothes on, it’ll be as if you were reborn.
Nowadays, we can rarely see ads that are genuinely clever and witty and Harvey Nichols belong to one of the few brands who create ads with essence. I can still remember my first post about their Fashion Statements ads, the models are with big balloons that knocked down all the people around them.
Photo Source
Chocolate Chip Cookie FAIL
My Dad is a very interesting man. He's done many different things in his life. Here's a few of the many things he has accomplished:
He has raised turkeys, raised sheep, raised Christmas trees, raised three girls. Owned and ran a sawmill, owned an ice cream parlor, owned and flew an airplane. Was a flight instructor, was manager of a hardware store, was a silversmith. Is a master craftsman with wood, is an early riser, is the best Dad ever!
And, shoot... I haven't even skimmed the surface of all the things he's done!
So, it didn't surprise us one little bit when some years ago, (even though he wasn't a 'regular' in the kitchen) he decided to make chocolate chip cookies.
Today's my birthday, so I'm taking life easy. No work for me today! My gardener fixed me a breakfast burrito this morning, and I've just been hanging out on the computer most of the day. (Oh, wait... I do that even when it's not my birthday!)
We're going out to dinner tonite (my gardener and I and the Havre Relatives), but this afternoon I decided it'd be fun (and you're supposed to have fun on your birthday) to make some chocolate chip cookies.
So I got out Dad's recipe, which makes a friggin' 100 cookies! Well, my gardener and I couldn't eat that many cookies, (or at least we shouldn't) so I cut the recipe in half.
Cream the butter.
Add the eggs and vanilla.
Add flour and baking powder, then add the chocolate chips and walnuts. A half-recipe called for 12 oz of chocolate chips, but by the time I added them, there was probably, oh, maybe 10 ounces (or nine).
So, you end up with a dough that looks yummy like this.
Who wants to lick this beater? I know one baby girl that is goin' "Awww, Mom... I wish I was there to lick that beater!" "Could you just make some dough and mail it to me?"
I like to use my Pampered Chef Medium Scoop for cookies. It's item #2540 and you can buy one from the best Pampered Chef Consultant ever!
So I scooped the beautiful chocolate chip cookie dough onto my Silpat liner and put them in the oven at 350 for 10-12 minutes. (Isn't that a pretty picture?)
Oops.
He has raised turkeys, raised sheep, raised Christmas trees, raised three girls. Owned and ran a sawmill, owned an ice cream parlor, owned and flew an airplane. Was a flight instructor, was manager of a hardware store, was a silversmith. Is a master craftsman with wood, is an early riser, is the best Dad ever!
And, shoot... I haven't even skimmed the surface of all the things he's done!
So, it didn't surprise us one little bit when some years ago, (even though he wasn't a 'regular' in the kitchen) he decided to make chocolate chip cookies.
Today's my birthday, so I'm taking life easy. No work for me today! My gardener fixed me a breakfast burrito this morning, and I've just been hanging out on the computer most of the day. (Oh, wait... I do that even when it's not my birthday!)
We're going out to dinner tonite (my gardener and I and the Havre Relatives), but this afternoon I decided it'd be fun (and you're supposed to have fun on your birthday) to make some chocolate chip cookies.
So I got out Dad's recipe, which makes a friggin' 100 cookies! Well, my gardener and I couldn't eat that many cookies, (or at least we shouldn't) so I cut the recipe in half.
Cream the butter.
Add the eggs and vanilla.
Add flour and baking powder, then add the chocolate chips and walnuts. A half-recipe called for 12 oz of chocolate chips, but by the time I added them, there was probably, oh, maybe 10 ounces (or nine).
So, you end up with a dough that looks yummy like this.
Who wants to lick this beater? I know one baby girl that is goin' "Awww, Mom... I wish I was there to lick that beater!" "Could you just make some dough and mail it to me?"
I like to use my Pampered Chef Medium Scoop for cookies. It's item #2540 and you can buy one from the best Pampered Chef Consultant ever!
So I scooped the beautiful chocolate chip cookie dough onto my Silpat liner and put them in the oven at 350 for 10-12 minutes. (Isn't that a pretty picture?)
Oops. Uh-oh.
What the hey?
Hmm.
Looks like I made chocolate chip pancakes.
Maybe you just can't cut some recipes in half.
