Turtle Power: Why I love Alicia Pahl

We were all sitting down watching the presidential debates last night, having some wine, eating some cookies. And as Andy makes a comment as to how weird John McCain's arms are (something about being joystick operated), Alicia says "he has baby hair." It's fucking true, John McCain's hair looks like the hair my 9 week old daughter's; thin, fine and forcefully combed to the side. Shortly following that brilliant observation, she remarked that he also resembles a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle. J followed this with an astute "have you noticed how many times this dude blinks." Real life humor, right here. I'm pretty sure he sets some kind of world record for most blinks per second in a Presidential Debate. I don't think I can take this man seriously. And I'd rather have a pizza fueled "hero in a halfshell" as a president than straight lipped, blinking Mr. Robotto. Just sayin'... . .. .

Fuck Disney, Who Wants to Grow Up?

So I am one of those people who believe children have a right to a childhood. And fuck Disney, Pixar and such for treating children like adults. Although sarcasm and humor has its place in life, I would much rather my daughter learn it from her family than from some computer generated image with doe eyes. Yes yes, I own a few Disney classics: Lady and the Tramp, Sleeping Beauty, Snow White. But believe it or not, I have some sexist beef with even those films. Always a woman as a villan, we've all heard it before.. . . .blah blah.

But this was supposed to be a post about how excited I am about molding my daughter's mind. For those of you who don't know, film was my concentration in college. I've been planning a viewing list for my children for over 5 years; I haven't even been married that long. I have to admit, I'm much more of an academic than a romantic so my excitement always came from disecting a film, rather than indulging in the audiences perception of it. Nonetheless, I am truly excited to treat little Mary Jane to the images of Buster Keaton, Charlie Chaplin and Shirley Temple.

Andy Shines in the Dark

When we arrived back home on Monday night (we thought for sure that the power would be on within 24-48 hours; we live in Louisville not Houston, right? ), we opted for a candle lit game of Scrabble. Andy kicked our asses.

Indianapolis Hard Core Refugees

Once the news hit that over 270,000 people in our county were without power, J, Andy, Mary Jane and I decided that we would rather eat well than fight for tea lights and ice bags at the only grocer in town with power. So we all packed up Sunday night and went to Indianapolis for dinner at Yats and breakfast at Taste. Not knowing what to do with ourselves and our spare time, we opted to play dress up.

Family Debris

So, the power was gone from Sunday thru Thursday. The Ohio looked like a swarming sea as we crossed the bridge back home. Butchertown didn't smell like the sweet mixture of meth, burnt bacon and bleach for quite a few days; We actually were able to open the windows!

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins

There is this lovely bakery in Indianapolis, Indiana called Rene's. Albert, the owner, is a great guy with some amazing desserts. I fell in love with his fruit tarts a few years ago and he gifted a few hundred of them to us for our wedding reception! They were perfect little treats tucked in between the large cupcake and orchid centerpieces....mmmmm. Well once I moved past the fruit tarts, I found that just about everything he makes is as delicious as the fruit tarts. But by far my favorite item in his kitchen are the Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins. I have never asked him for the recipe, but here is my own attempt.

Ingredients:
3/4 cup vegan cane sugar
1/4 cup organic canola oil
2 free range eggs
1 cup canned organic pumpkin
1/4 cup water
1 1/2 cups unbleached flour
3/4 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 - 1 tsp ground ginger
1 -2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 - 1 tsp fresh ground nutmeg
Pinch of salt
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
( I didn't have clove, but that might be a great addition 1/2 -1 tsp of ground clove)


Preheat the oven to 350. Grease large muffin tin. Whisk sugar, oil, eggs. Add pumpkin and water. In separate bowl whisk together the baking flour, baking soda, baking powder, spices and salt.. Add wet mixture to dry mixture (like you would when making Chocolate Chip Cookies). Do not over mix. Stir in chocolate chips. Fill large muffin cups 3/4 full with batter (should yeild 6 muffins). Bake in preheated oven for 35 to 45 minutes. Let cook for 15-20 minutes. Turn out and eat!

Bejeezus 12 Tease: Pac Man Ghost

Well, think I'm going to make this one with sugar crystals as decor instead of icing. The colors are right, but they look sloppy. I can bake but I'm not too great at the decorating part. MIght help if I had an icing kit.....hmmmm, something to add to the Christmas list. Oooo, I am proud to say that we did make our own cookie cutters. Overall, this is a cute idea but not an ideal cookie. Trying with colored sugar crystals soon.