Baxter Bark Twice

Do as I say, never as I do

There are stupid questions

Posted by AllieB on December 2, 2010

This doesn’t make me sound super cool, but I have an unquenchable thirst for knowledge. I like to know things, and if I don’t know something about which I am curious I like to research until I can figure it out. Google is my favorite invention, ever. I say that quite literally – I thought about it, and of all the things I make use of on a day to day basis I appreciate Google most. I’m clearly not counting cars and food and wine, etc. I especially adore Google Image – the results to the query “puppies hugging” make me really happy.

MASH!

I get that looking stuff up online can be tedious and often it’s just easier to send a quick chat or email to a friend asking a quick Q, but there are limits. To those who send gchats asking, “how late is Trader Joe’s open?” or, “where is the concert tonight?” or, “what is a salad spinner?” – allow me.

First, I go to www.lmgtfy.com and am presented with the following screen, at which point I type in whatever idiotic question with which I’ve been burdened:

Per the instructions, I click a button – Google Search. The site generates a link, which I then share with the half-wit who has asked me about the salad spinner, whereupon they are firmly put in their place and probably feel like a dunce.

The link: http://lmgtfy.com/?q=what+is+a+salad+spinner

It’s hard not to feel foolish watching the process unfold – the first time it happened to me I think I actually blushed. You sit there, helpless, as the mouse scans over the screen, clicks in the search box and types out the question, then sends you to the actual Google results with a shame-inducing, “was that so hard?”

People don’t always laugh upon receiving this link, but it serves its purpose. Sister suggested that I become a comedienne, and I do not think she was being sincere. Lacy got so sick of it that she actually started looking things up herself. Me, I find it enormously entertaining.

Now, what should I goog…?

Posted in Imparting Wisdom | Tagged: , , , , , | 2 Comments »

Help me help you

Posted by AllieB on December 1, 2010

It’s almost too easy.*

*In your defense – it’s a bad angle, but might I suggest a scarf and the color black.

Posted in Celebs, Really? | Tagged: , , , | 3 Comments »

If I had a million dollars…

Posted by AllieB on November 29, 2010

First, I’m so glad that the days of the Barenaked Ladies are days of yore.

Second, by “a million dollars” I mean “a hundred dollars” and, as it were, I do! I spent Saturday evening in Newnan, The City of Homes – or, according to Skin, The City of Magic (?) – and it was lovely. In addition to the company, setting, and food, the evening was made even better by the truly unprecedented event of me winning a raffle/bet/pool situation when I happened to have chosen the right square in a grid of 100, winning me one hundred dollars…a C-Note…a Benjamin…etc.

An extra $100 is also an extremely uncommon happening in my life, and I’ve been deciding what to do with this unexpected windfall…I have several arrears that need to be relieved, but that’s no fun and is what normal payday is for, so no – and same goes for savings. I’m going to buy something fun for moi:

The Short List:

  1. Christmas tree for my casa – this is a definite
  2. A wreath – also a non-option
  3. Lights for decorating tree and windows – thanks for sharing, Mom and Dad (read: free)
  4. Christmas presents
  5. I’m pretty sure I’ve run out of money…

Sigh. $100 really doesn’t go all that far, does it? No, it does not.

In addition to this excitement, I did three things this past weekend that I would highly recommend.

  • I saw Harry Potter and found it to be the best one yet; I cannot wait for the second installment. Dobby….!!!!
  • Enjoyed lunch at Horseradish Grill. The Baxter Fam has been enjoying meals there since before it was even there – it used to be The Red Barn Inn. It was a red barn that served steak. Anyway, we’ve continued our faithful patronage through the years and it’s one of my favorite spots. Lunch on Friday was no exception. I ordered the Turkey Club on HF sourdough with a side of grits, but I was having extreme order anxiety about all the things that I wasn’t getting to have, so I encouraged to Jordan to get onion rings, Stanton got the She-Crab Soup, and I assembled a delicious and rather substantial doggy-bag using everyone’s leftovers: shrimp and grits, mac n cheese…so, at the end of the day, I wound up with a nice sampling of the whole menu. Mission: accomplished.
  • The Dali Exhibit at the High. Go, but don’t go on the Friday following a major national holiday when most people do not work and are trying to think of ways to entertain their out of town visitors. The body odor, frankly, is what I remember most about the experience. I think my favorite part was holing up in the gift shop with a book entitled Paintings That Changed the World. I am, after all, an art historian…the exhibit itself was expansive and provided a very comprehensive look at the life and art of Dali – I hope to return on a less crowded, less pungent day.

Merry Mehday!

Posted in Arbitrary | Tagged: , , , , | 3 Comments »

Turkey Dizzle

Posted by AllieB on November 23, 2010

I think I’m pretty much maxed out in the arena of giving thanks – at least re: the blogosphere, so instead of going on and on about perspective and how lucky we are and blah blah, I’m going to talk about something else.

Let’s see…

After much research and consideration about what to contribute to the Baxter Fam T-Giving feast, I’ve decided to stick to the age-old adage KISS and will be serving the following hors d’oeuvre. It’s beyond delicious (credit: Paula Deen by way of Boss Lady) and so super healthy….

Sugar and Nut Glazed Brie

Ingredients

1/4 cup packed brown sugar

1/4 cup chopped macadamia nuts or pecans

1 tablespoon brandy

1 (14-ounce) round brie

Apple wedges, for serving

Pear wedges, for serving

2 to 3 tablespoons lemon juice

Crackers, for serving

Directions

In a small bowl stir together the sugar, nuts, and brandy. Cover and chill for at least 24 hours or up to 1 week.

Preheat oven to 500 degrees F.

Place the brie on an ovenproof platter or pie plate. Bake for 4 or 5 minutes or until the brie is slightly softened. Spread the sugar mixture in an even layer on top of the warm brie and bake for 2 to 3 minutes longer, or until the sugar melts. Brush the fruit wedges with lemon juice and arrange them around 1 side of the brie. Place crackers around the other side.

I feel confident I can handle this. Two years ago I managed to ruin microwave green beans, and last year I spent approximately five hours slaving over a dish that was allegedly “easy” and only took “30 mins prep time.” Psssh. Holy crap that looks really tasty.

For how much I go on about it in real life, I feel I don’t give Trader Joe’s enough credit on this thing. From the wine to the produce to the veggie chips to the AMAZING Parmesan Pastry Puffs, there is nothing I don’t love about TJ’s. Last night I made my thrice-weekly sojourn to my local market, and I would just like to say thank you to the gentleman who checked me out: “Alexandra,” he said, as he looked at my I.D., “you’re doing okay for yourself – you still look like you’re about 17.” It may or may not have had something to do with my message tee and side-pony braid, but whatevs – I’ll take what I can get. (Note: PEARL! Sorry I’m not sorry.)

ha. hahaha.

Posted in Food & Drink | Tagged: , , , , | 4 Comments »

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