Baxter Bark Twice

Do as I say, never as I do

Posts Tagged ‘BBT Recommends’

« Previous Entries
Next Entries »

Here. Read this.

Posted by AllieB on July 22, 2011

In lieu of putting forth any effort, I share with you a collection of interesting things I found on the interweb.

A not entirely inaccurate depiction of how the sexes handle break ups. Plus, I really like Leighton’s flat face. And I’m practicing my head toss – if I can get half as good as the girl in the last one, I’ll be doing okay. Now THAT is breezy.

The 50 most delicious foods in the world. Much to my surprise, I didn’t really have any opposition to this list. Some things are kind of broad – i.e., “tacos – Mexico” and they definitely phoned it in with “ice cream – United States” but Thai food gets the credit it deserves…WAIT I don’t think cheesesteaks are on there. I OBJECT.

These are particularly helpful to those of you who live in cities where you actually walk around in the city: how to deal with those pesky construction workers and their leering remarks. I like, LET ME TRY ON YOUR HAT!”

A Mother’s Prayer – by Tina Fey. Tina Fey is really funny all of the time. OMG which remiiiinds me – VH1 is constantly airing “Best of SNL” specials, and they have one about the time post 9/11 and what it was like to do the show and how they handled the sensitive subject matter…anyway, I watched it with Leila the other night and it’s awesome. I cannot find the name of the episode online, which suggests that the internet is broken, but you’ll know what I’m talking about when you see it. Record it.

Ok, this guy is batsh*t bonkers. (Credit: FM)

The only way to watch Inception…they make a good point.

This book makes me look forward to being a parent. Not because I love dropping the F bomb and hope my child’s first word is that word -I don’t think I’d actually read this to my child – but it tells it like it is. Like would you PLEASE JUST GO TO SLEEP…ok and this is even better – here is Samuel L. Jackson reading it.

Drinking whilst exercising! Exercising whilst drinking! Germany may not have gotten everything right, but they nailed this.

Lastly…do nothing for two minutes.

Happy WEEKEND!!!

Posted in Imparting Wisdom | Tagged: , , | 3 Comments »

Book List

Posted by AllieB on July 18, 2011

See below for my list of recommended reading. This is woefully incomplete but until I can share a non ridiculous excel sheet, there’s no point in getting too complicated. Also, just because I like it doesn’t mean you will…but I have given these all of these BBT’s Stamp of Approval, so that should count for something.

Book Genre Blurb
The Girl in the Spider’s Web Mystery The fourth in the “Millennium” series, better known as Girl w Dragon Tattoo series; different author same everything else
Where They Found Her Mystery same author as “Reconstructing Amelia” – I liked it better. Keeps you guessing!
How to Start a Fire Female Fiction TheSkimm recommended this and I LOVED it. One of my fave books of the year; sounds like some sappy chick lit nonsense but is actually v smart and quirky
Luckiest Girl Alive Female Fiction I didn’t expect to like this as much as I did, couldn’t put it down once I started. People compare to Gone Girl and Girl on the Train and I guess similar but this more modern, takes place in NYC
Girl at War Historical Fiction College student in Manhattan tells story of growing up in Croatia during the Croatian/Serbian War; I really liked this
The Nightingale Historical Fiction This will be one of the best books you’ve read – takes place during WWII
What Alice Forgot Female Fiction you can’t miss with Lianne Moriarty
Natchez Burning Southern Mystery First of a trilogy – darker read, per Amazon: Rich in Southern atmosphere and electrifying plot turns, Natchez Burning marks the brilliant return of a genuine American master of suspense. Tense and disturbing, it is the most explosive, exciting, sexy, and ambitious story Greg Iles has written yet.
The Century Trilogy by Ken Follet Historical Fiction I cannot say enough good things. The third book comes out in Sept and I’m counting the days. The books start in early 1900’s and finish in late 80’s, with intertwining stories from Russia to California. These are for guys and girls and, while long, will suck you in immediately
I Am Pilgrim by Terry Hayes Mystery this just came out and is getting lots of buzz – “This astonishing debut espionage thriller depicts the collision course between two geniuses, one a tortured hero and one a determined terrorist, in a breakneck story reminiscent of John le Carré and Robert Ludlum at their finest.”
Three Wishes by Lianne Moriarty Female Fiction triplet sisters all at varying stages of 33 yrs old in Australia…funny/happy
This Is Where I Leave You by Jonathan Tropper Literature About to become a movie with Jasone Bateman, Tina Fey, Timothy Olyphant – “a riotously funny, emotionally raw novel about love, marriage, divorce, family, and the ties that bind-whether we like it or not.”
ALL ELIN HILDERBRAND Female Fiction She’s just my favorite – esp for beach/vacation
You Should Have Known by Jane Hanff Korelitz Mystery appreciate it for the character development, not the mystery
Night Film by Marisa Pessl  Mystery a long-awaited second novel that delivers. Critics loved it, and so does the Average Joe/Jane. Check it out.
Sycamore Row by John Grisham  Mystery I loved A Time to Kill and this novel features our beloved Jake Brigance.
One Summer: America, 1927 by Bill Bryson  Non Fiction who knew the summer of 1927  could be so interesting? Bill Bryson is one of my top 5 favorite authors of any genre
Rena’s Promise: A Story of Sisters in Auschwitz  Non Fiction one of the most amazing firsthand accounts from the Holocaust I have ever read
Wave by Sonali Deraniyagala  Non Fiction this woman lost literally everything in the 2004 Tsunami
Incendiary: A Novel by Chris Cleave  Literature this is my favorite of his. He doesn’t use punctuation which is normally a total dealbreaker, but it works – especially in this format (a letter to Osama bin Laden. You really should read this book.)
New York by Edward Rutherford Historical Fiction one of those multi-generational sagas about intertwining characters living in New York, starting in the 1600’s and going thru early 2000’s. Easy but still quality reading with the added bonus of some knowledge.
The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion  Contemporary Fiction this reminded me of Where’d You Go, Bernadette, and I’m constantly trying to find books that remind me of WYG, B. Set in Australia and narrated by a quirky scientist who’s searching for the perfect wife, it’s a fun/funny read.
 Methland by Nick Reding.  Non Fiction This nonfiction book is not for the faint of heart. I learned a whole lot about the crazy stuff people do while high on “crank” and sometimes it was a little too much information, but it was also interesting to read about the chain of events that spurned the epidemic…pretty fascinating, actually. Some parts made me queasy, and sometimes I got a little bored with the government stuff, but – and ask anyone with whom I’ve spoken in last month – I couldn’t stop talking about it

EMAIL ME with recommendations! Also, I’m on Goodreads if you want to check out a more thorough list.

Posted in | Tagged: , , | 7 Comments »

That’s that

Posted by AllieB on July 18, 2011

Suffice it to say, it was an emotional Sunday. I subjected myself to unnecessary grief by watching the series finale of Friday Night Lights and then sitting through the last installment of the Harry Potter films. I am reminded of Sping 2k4 – cut to: the night before my last exam when I was studying at a friend’s apartment, enduring the series finale of Friends, my favorite television program, alone. He walked in midway through to find me on the couch, my books spread around me, bawling freely….he quietly excused himself and retreated quickly back across the courtyard.

Look, sorry I’m not sorry I allow myself to be engaged by quality tv and cinema presentations.

Friday Night Lights has been sensational this entire last season. It’s already out on DVD, so I highly recommend queuing up your Netflix. AND both Coach Taylor and Tami Taylor were nominated for Emmy’s again, as was the program on a whole. Talk about deserving winners…Coach Taylor could tell me throw myself in front of a bus and I’d say, “can I throw myself in front of two?” I love that guy.

Harry Potter was a-MAH-zing. They jump right in where they left off with the first installment, and it’s a non-stop thrill ride til the very end. Actually, no, the very end is a little awkward, but up until there are 5 minutes left – heart-pounding thrill ride. Why do movie critics always say “thrill ride?” I have never used that phrase before, ever, and how strange that it’s used re: a decidedly stationary activity. Just saying. Also – I thoroughly enjoyed this “Best of” retrospective covering all of the Harry Potter movies on NYMag.

BBT HIGHLY recommends both. Doooo it.

Meet and greet: BP’s new PUPPY PIPPA!!!! Can you tell which one is Pippa the Pup, and which one is Pippa Middleton made entirely out of crumpets? (I know, so weird.)

I LOVE PIPPA THE PUP!!! (She’s on the left)

Here’s Tex’s Tacos schedule for the week.

Here’s your weekly horoscope.

Here’s how to VOTE FOR BBT!!!!!!!!!

Guess who turns ONE this Thursday…? Hint: it’s not a mammal; it’s a blog which you may or may not be reading at this very moment.

Posted in Arbitrary, Imparting Wisdom | Tagged: , , , , | 7 Comments »

How to be domestic, kind of

Posted by AllieB on June 2, 2011

Whenever I think about cooking something, I usually go buy it. However, in the rare occasion that I do mention a recipe, you really ought to pay attention because it means that whatever I am talking about is both really, really delicious and retardedly easy – like, so simple that even Domestic Allie can handle it.

So there we are: Tybee Island, GA. We had an awesome day of fishing on Nelson’s boat, and we even caught some stuff! Well, Yancey, Sis, and Pal did – I wrangled a horseshoe crab then body-slammed it back into the water. They almost called PETA on me and rightly so – I don’t know what came over me. Anyway, after our day on the boat, we decided to cook out at Yancey’s Mom’s house – this the view from the marsh dock; it’s pretty nice.

We had flounder, blueflish, whitefish…I think that’s it…and apps and a salad, but no dessert. The Baxter Fam used to spend summers at Pawley’s Island, and I have vague memories of Key Lime pie being a part of these trips, so that’s what came to mind. We had neither the time nor the interest in making our own pie, so we picked one up from Publix (totally acceptable under the circumstances, maybe like a 6.5 on a scale of 1 – 10).

If you plan ahead just a couple hours and have ten extra minutes on your hands, make the pie below. It is seriously better than any Key Lime pie I’ve ever had, anywhere. And if you’re like, “hey, I already have a recipe and it calls for Jell-O,” tear it up and try this one (Credit: Char).

Nellie & Joe’s Key Lime Pie

  • 9″ graham cracker pie crust (reduced fat works just fine)
  • 14 oz. can of sweetened condensed milk*
  • 3 egg yolks (whites not used)
  • ½ cup Nellie & Joe’s Key West Lime Juice
  • Whipped cream (I like CoolWhip Lite)

Combine milk, egg yolks and lime juice. Blend until smooth. Pour filling into pie crust and bake at 350º for 15 minutes. Allow to stand 20 minutes and then refrigerate for a couple of hours. If you’re pressed for time you can maybe get away with freezing it for 15-25 minutes. It’s edible immediately, but if you’re serving it to guests be sure to chill it. Just before serving, top with freshly whipped cream, or meringue, and garnish with lime slices.

*Charlotte, my older sister and expert baker, always makes me these pies when I go to visit her in SoFLA. She recently discovered that if you switch out regular condensed milk with a can from the Ethnic Foods Aisle, Hispanic Section, it’s even better.

It’s not every day that BBT shares not only a recipe, but a TOP SECRET INGREDIENT. You’re welcome.

Speaking of limes and things that are delicious, here’s Esquire Magazine’s recipe for a Moscow Mule (I almost used Oprah’s, but when it comes to booze I think Esquire is the more trustworthy source.). I like these spritzy beverages all year round, but they’re perfect for the furnace that is Atlanta’s summer. YUM I want one right now…it looks so refreshing…

 

 

Posted in Food & Drink, Imparting Wisdom | Tagged: , , , , , | 3 Comments »

Struggle

Posted by AllieB on May 16, 2011

Are you watching Parks & Recreation? If you’re not, start right now, immed. If you’re a Comcast subscriber, you are mostly unlucky, but happily lucky in that they are showing the last four episodes OnDemand so you can catch up that way, or watch them online. It’s a really funny show. I don’t even have a cast favorite, because every episode I have a new favorite. Everyone is reliably entertaining, and the story lines are obscure yet totally plausible. The gentleman on the right is Ron Swanson – you want to get to know Ron Swanson. Just watch it. BBT says: do it.

Ok, so this guy Alan Sailer is an engineer who takes pictures of things exploding: veggies, ornaments filled with gelatin, crayons…. to make the items explodes, he shoots them with a gun – this raspberry didn’t stand a chance: (source: Supanet.com)

Here’s his Flickr page. I’ve never seen anything like this before, and if you do one thing today that is purely for your own gratuitous entertainment, go to there. These are some sick pictures.

Did you notice the pink and blue flat face icon on the Baxter Bark Twice tab of your browser!? I’m so proud of it. That’s what I spent Friday doing. Flat.Face.

In other news: I saw Bridesmaids. It’s funny and worth the 10 bones. Tommy Hansen was out on Saturday night…I did not prefer his attitude. Last but definitely not least, HAPPY BIRTHDAY to STANTON!! Without you, I’m not sure there would even be a BBT, and then where would we be….XOXO

Good day.

Posted in Arbitrary | Tagged: , , , , | 5 Comments »

« Previous Entries
Next Entries »