Baxter Bark Twice

Do as I say, never as I do

Posts Tagged ‘tis the season’

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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 »

Make Someone Uncomfortable Day

Posted by AllieB on November 18, 2010

Fortunately, this is real. Tomorrow, November 19, is the 3rd Annual Make Someone Uncomfortable Day. I’m writing about it today so we all have time to prepare for what awkwardness we might inflict upon our nearest and dearest. There are many people I know whose sheer existence on the planet makes me uncomfortable, so they’re all set – for those of us with slightly more adroit social skillz, here are some ideas from the Facebook page devoted to this noteworthy occasion…(source: sf.funcheap.com, credit: Leila)

It seems that people are posting how they plan to celebrate MSUD on this FB page. The first one I saw distresses me greatly.

I’m going to breastfeed in public:-)

Unless it is Apocalypse Day, that is unacceptable.  Pardon my tirade, but BREAST FEEDING IN PUBLIC IS NOT, NOR WILL IT EVER BE, OKAY. I do not understand why people do not understand this. Sorry – next:

this is funny because tomorrow is also diversity day at our school

Ok, that made me feel uncomfortable….

when you go grocery shopping, instead of shopping from the shelves, start shopping from other peoples shopping carts while they are looking on the shelves. make sure you are in a busy aisle with people looking…

That’s actually kind of funny, and it also goes along nicely with my Grocery Store Shame.

If I had an extra $5k to drop, I would buy this large structured fur headdress because it obviously makes people uncomfortable – both wearer and viewer, apparently. I seriously have not stopped laughing since Bailey sent it to me earlier. What the WHAT is that thing!?

from: SSENSE.COM

ATTN: Mary Cath – given your low threshold for awkwardness, perhaps you should consider staying home. Pal – you could probably be the face of Make Someone Uncomfortable Day – I’ll see if I can nominate you or something. Buff – if you’re looking for an idea as to how you might make people feel awkward, consider doing a split in public; it worked like a charm last Saturday. Leila – it is fitting on many, many levels that you are the one who informed us of MSUD. Thank you for being you.

BOLO for bumbling, bungling encounters…!

Posted in Arbitrary, Really? | Tagged: , , , , , | 6 Comments »

Things I love: awkward & Sundays (but not awkward Sundays)

Posted by AllieB on November 8, 2010

There are few things I love more than a solid story of awkwardness. Fortunately, I surround myself with people who outdo themselves on a regular basis in this arena, so I am constantly entertained.

Take this classic story from Pal, for instance, one of my Favorite Friends, lover of ‘za, and resident of NYC (cut and pasted from her email):

Even though the escalator from the sub up to the street was broken today, and I have a phobia of walking up or down an escalator that is at a stand-still. It really is a problem for me, I can’t gauge the height of the stairs or something and I end up awkly walking up them like a dog with socks on. (Hilarious, only 16 seconds, do not need sound.)

I cannot tell you how happy it made me to picture her high-stepping her way up the stairs.

Another thing that makes me really happy is Sit-Around Sundays. Casa di Kayruh-Pants-YKenna is a great place for this activity, just as long as we avoid the DVR and stick strictly to OnDemand…their preferred television programs are abominable (like the snowman). A key component of these Sundays is the food – ie, the varietal of Pan-American cuisine we choose to eat. Last night we ordered delivery from Golden Buddha, and it was gooooood.

This is what $104 of Chinese food looks like.

The holiday season is upon us…! We watched Love Actually, which I will surely reference at least 15 more times before Christmas for it is my favorite film. We also watched The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, something I was heretofore totally against doing because I wanted to wait until the glossy US version featuring a very appealing Daniel Craig comes out in December 2k11, and it was awesome. Lisbeth Salander is a badass. Such a fun weekend: successful work partay, Chili Chomp & Stomp (or “Cabbagefest” according to JTomm), my lace-up Uggs…I don’t feel even a tinge of maniacal Monday’s.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, HILARY & NORAH!!! (a day late, sorry – I don’t blog on Sundays)

Posted in Arbitrary | Tagged: , , , , , | 4 Comments »

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