Fun-loving Friday

This past weekend I introduced Berger cookies to my in-laws, and again, they were accepted with open arms.  No one can deny the power of the Bergers cookies.  And if you want a pie full of them, just get the Baltimore Bomb from Dangerously Delicious Pies, which recently opened on H Street NE.  It was Duff Goldman's guilty pleasure on a recent episode of Best Thing I Ever Ate.

I can't WAIT for this weekend! A lovely friend of ours will be in town this weekend, as well as a set of adorable grandparents.  Makes for quite the fabulous weekend.  But before we can get there, we need to talk about the week.  Let's get into the blogosphere!

I freakin' love these carrot cake whoopie pies (via State Dinner).  I could make them myself thanks to the recipe, but maybe I'll just go ahead and add them to my cart at Trader Joe's. 

Homemade Pop Tarts from Smitten Kitchen.  Sometimes when I'm hungry at work and out of snacks I get Pop Tarts from the vending machine.  Not super filling.

Grilled sandwiches.  Filled with cheese.  Seriously.  eNJoy! brings us to a place that Bobby Flay challenged to a grilled cheese Throwdown--the Pop Shop in Collingswood, NJ.

I'd like to make this cake for J for his birthday, but I'll probably screw it up.  Maybe I can buy it off someone.  Ahem.  (via Eat Run Read)

Loving Cara's photo of the egg dish here--check out the avocado.  Speaking of eggs, I've seen lots of 'em lately.  To be specific, both SK and Cara blogged about shakshouka within a few weeks of each other.  Maybe I should try it.

DCist on Ray's the Steaks at East River.  Sounds delicious (and affordable), but I can't help it--when you say East River, I think East River!

I RSVPed for the Food Blogger Happy Hour, and you should too.  Let's relive a little Restaurant 3, shall we?

Just to share my blog-reading philosophy, I just like to post here about what my friends and I send each other on Google Reader, Twitter, and e-mail.  Some weeks I read a lot of news; this week was NOT one of those weeks! (Although yes - slushies may make you run faster. Too bad I'm not a fan.  If only milkshakes had the same effect...)

NEXT week I'll talk to you about my recent amazingly delicious perfect falafel (and not just because I was positively starving), and some more macarons.  I can't stop.  Have an excellent weekend!  Happy May!!!

Studying

Valborg in Uppsala, and I'm starting the day with writing an internal assessment in economics. Hmm, it doesn't really go hand in hand many might say...^^

However for me it's OK, because the sooner I'm finished, the sooner I can feel free to enjoy the rest of the day with lovely friends. ♥

Pink is my color as you can see :D

I'm a smart girl...

I am so incredible amazing folks. I've had my new little baby netbook for three days, but still I've managed to mess something up and now internet is not working! Smart of me, huh? Gosh, I think I have to marry an IT expert so I don't have to feel so bad about my own extraordinary computer skills (in destroying the computer that is...)

But besides this "Sandra-clicking-on-a-random-button-before-realizing-her-mistake" incident, the day has been pretty good. The sun was shining almost the entire day, so I decided to have a coffee date/lunch with my precious sister at Café Linné Hörnan.

I had a brownie with vanilla ice-cream; it is really good...if you're in to chocolate that is! ^^

With that I had a BIG cup (almost too big) with hot chocolate topped with whipped cream.

As you can see, I enjoyed the chocolate. Haha...

The Morph-mobile

There are a lot of advantages to being a humor writer ... not the least that we can burp in public without too much of an eye roll ... because people expect it.

But better, we have freedom other writers don't have. We can screw up, and our editor will go, "did you mean to put a weasel in your underpants?"

I mean, for most people, that's a screw up, but for a humor writer not necessarily so. The editor has does some hand-wringing, thinking, "there must be something funny about this that I'm not getting."

How liberating, huh?

Case in point. With my first book, "The Adventures of Guy ... written by a guy (probably)," there's a point in which my characters jump in an SUV and go off to battle telemarketers. But later on, I described the same vehicle as a mini-van. Later, it was an SUV again.

So my editor sends me a hesitantly phrased email asking, "Was this an 'oops', or is this the incredible morphing vehicle?"

I love putting doubt in my editor like this!

Anyway, yeah, it was a screw up, so I'm glad I had a sharp-eyed editor.

So when you're off writing your gut wrenching love stories, or twisty-turnie mysteries or whatever it is you write other than humor, remember ...

... we humor writers are laughing at you.

Norm

Get yourself some Fang Face today! $2.99 on ebook! A bit more expensive on paper, but worth it. Just go to my website www.normcowie.com, and follow the instructions.

Bewinged Jungle Beasts

A vehicle is defined as "any device or contrivance for carrying or conveying persons or objects, esp. over land or in space." That gave me a lot to choose from as far as "awesome" vehicles. But then the space part caught my eye. Air is space right?

If so, then the most awesome vehicle would have to be a Curtiss P-40. This WWII fighter plane was instrumental in the operations of the Flying Tigers, an American volunteer group that defended China. In 7th grade my friend and I did a documentary on the Flying Tigers (my great-great uncle was one), and learned a lot about the P-40s in the meantime.

The reason I think the P-40s are so awesome is the fact that they were able to be awesome against a ton of odds. The P-40s couldn't match the maneuverability of the opposing aircraft and there was a severe lack of spare parts, so repairs had to be made constantly. Despite these and other issues, the P-40s were the pride of the Tigers-- they even painted Tiger mouths on their planes.

After spending a year researching and presenting about them, I definitely think P-40s are pretty awesome vehicles.

Kieryn www.kierynnicolas.com www.kierynnicolas.blogspot.com RAIN print preorders are available!

Bourbon Steak, Lounge

Fries cooked in duck fat.  The words alone could give you a cardiac arrest.  And yet I've eaten them here, here, and now at Bourbon Steak.  YUM.  This incarnation has three varieties--regular, Old Bay (of course), and white cheddar.  The flavors are subtle, and the accompanying dips are straight up ketchup, bbq sauce, and...the yellow-ish one that was fluffy and I loved it, but I have no idea what it was. Listen, the fries were one cocktail in on an empty stomach, and it was late.

Speaking of cocktails.  J enjoyed the Moscow Mule for the second time (second place, 4th Mule, really). He was only slightly disappointed that it didn't come in the traditional copper mug.  Ginger beer is so awesome.  I first enjoyed the Kerouac Cocktail, a pink (ahem, grapefruit) number that wasn't overly sweet, but just right.  Later I moved to the Pear Brandy Sidecar.  I liked both, but the sugar rim on the PBS was a bit too much for me.  Also, next time I have to try something with an egg white in it.  I love protein in unexpected places.   Oy, and the warm, spiced nuts.  They just kept comin'.

The burger was awesome.  Awesome awesome awesome.  Really juicy, a slight crunch on the outside, a great bun...can't go wrong.  I had the duck lettuce cups, it was my restraint--after all, I don't eat that much red meat, and two big burgers in 7 days is just not going to fly.  But J did share. The lettuce cups were nice, although they weren't what I had in mind--I was imagining shredded saucy duck, but it was cubed.  Loved the Thai flavors.  Very fresh, very delish.  And light--I had room for more cocktails, thank goodness.

Burger is a lil' fuzzy in the low light.

It was actually really cute, for some reason our server thought we were sharing the burger (nice idea!) and brought it split in half on metal skewers.  The guy next to us gasped and said, "That looks awesome."  He was an older guy, professional, wearing a suit.  But I guess that's the only way to describe the scene.
 
We were supposed to go to Bourbon Steak last year for J's birthday, but ended up canceling our reservation for a very good reason, then never rebooked.  The price tag is steep ($145 6 oz filet, anyone?), but we're suckers for anything Four Seasons-related, and damn do we love a good burger.  The lounge was PERFECT for us.  It's classy enough for a date (and not particularly crowded or loud), the food is awesome, the drinks are great, and you're eating for a fraction of the dining room price.    

Bourbon Steak
Four Seasons Hotel
2800 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Metro: Blue and Orange Lines to Foggy Bottom

A Big Beady-Eyed Bird

Another bird - this time one of Saundra Lane Galloway's ones from her visit to her local zoo.  You can see all her animals from her Surprise Day at the Zoo, here.

This I did in watercolour,  a medium that I still battle with.  Only one in 4 or 5 of my attempts at watercolour am I satisfied with.  Note the word satisfied - not thrilled, over-the-moon or ecstatic about, just satisfied.

This Winter we have a number of workshops arranged and I am determined to take at least one on learning to use watercolours.  I wish I could visit all those wonderful watercolourists in India and the USA for lessons, but no can do, so have to find someone from our local awesomely talented artists.

In the meantime, meet the Beady Eyed Crane!

Brazilian Explicit Movies

Covers "Benedictine"

In London there are quite a stir since Pope Benedict XVI said that travels the country to present its new condom maca "Benedict", to "fuck it a heavenly experience" . Among other things during his visit to the island also intends to open a "Center of Abortion" with the slogan "illegal abortion out of this place." It also plans to bless a homosexual marriage, named "the first fucking in the church." After this last statement in the room where he gave his speech there was a general laugh, including the Supreme Pontiff, who later said: "Well, at least not in a clandestine manner. "
Today London was stunned by a wave of demonstrations, both for and against the visit of Pope Benedict. Banners like" No fucking, if pedophiles "or" Yes to free sex with papal liners "were papering the streets of the British city. placards were also some things interspersed with slogans such as" papal linings to fuck the aliens "or" I want to marry ET.

Looking For Big Breast Melina Velba Pictur

He said Asimov and Stephen said.

According to the scientist and British astrophysicist Stephen Hawking, the aliens "almost certainly exist." "We are to the hands," he added later. If aliens are like us, we are fried. If any encounter with an "Alien" run for your life, these guys are not good people ... According to Stephen
going to pass something similar to what happened with Columbus and Native Americans. "We will end up almost dead and with a leader who complains about GM food" says astrophysicist.
A Mexican daily, and is encouraging its readers to exclude all social gatherings of people named Ishmael, by carrying the name of "Mars" as the song of Molotov.
also being asked in the streets custody Sting as one of their songs says, "I'm an alien I'm a legal alien." To which the singer defended himself saying: "We, at least I can sing well and have sex for hours," which, contrary to his intentions, I reaffirm the hypothesis that "is from another planet."
short, an alien attack is imminent, if not already among us, so taking care of your ass, rectal examination is the first target.

Good morning

Good morning!

Usually I never blog this early, but since I am just wasting time doing nothing (!?) right now, I figured why not? Tonight I am working at Minnas kvällscafé as a volunteer, like I usually do every second Monday, so I'll probably won't be home until 8 pm....Hmm. ^^ Actually I have tonnes of stuff to do, but since I skipped the last time due to homework, I can't do it again. That would be too much, especially for me who always attends things I'm suppose to attend.

Woopsi, look at the time. I better get off to school!

An 80s fasion flashback

I am a child of the 80s.

I grew up watching MTV, with all the hair bands, skinny jeans, and wild accessories. Van Halen, Michael Jackson, Madonna, and Cyndi Lauper.

When people say that "history repeats itself," it's true.

Walking through some department stores the other day, I saw skinny jeans, patterned vests, and wild accessories. I saw a girl who looked like a carbon copy of Cyndi Lauper.

Pity MTV doesn't play music anymore.

~*~

Heather S. Ingemar has loved to play with words since she was little, and it wasn’t long until she started writing her own stories. Termed “a little odd” by her peers, she took great delight in exploring tales with a gothic flair, and to this day, Edgar Allan Poe continues to be her literary hero. To learn more, please visit: http://ingemarwrites.wordpress.com/ or follow her on Twitter: http://twitter.com/heatheringemar

Buy a story (or two or three): Heather Ingemar on Echelon Direct

Finally :D

Finally it has arrived. So if you excuze me, I am going to go and play a little with my new toy. ♥

I'll show you more of it later...

Svenska Hollywoodfruar

I just came up with the perfect idea for trying to extend my Saturday night...hihi. :)

An episode of Svenska Hollywoodfruar (Swedish Hollywood wives) is never wrong...

Need longer Saturdays

How come time never seems to be enough? ^^

Today I've been studying economics with Maria and Jasmine (not that I got that much done though, I've realized that I study best at home), had my first outdoor fika (= the Swedish word for having coffee and cake), and last but not least, I've been out shopping. So, how come it feels like I have established much more less than I expected? :/

Haiiis, I suppose Sundays are just doomed to be the day when everything is being done in a panicking speed while wondering where the Saturday disappeared...

80's fashion is TOTALLY AWESOME

The 80s definitely boast “best in fashion.” I mean, what other time in history was it socially acceptable to crimp your hair, pull it back into a neon scrunchie and then tease your bangs six inches off your head with about half a can of Aquanet hairspray? True, after applying the product you could spend days trying to wash it out or just use it as a base for your next application.

Like most decades in the U.S., fashions were largely dictated by the music industry. From Madonna, to Michael Jackson, to the many “hair bands,” there was no shortage of fashion icons.

Madonna gave us lace fingerless gloves, headbands with large bows, and short tulle skirts over leggings.

Michael Jackson sported white socks, white suits and the infamous single white glove (before he became white).

The hair bands, meanwhile, gave us ... well, hair, along with every kind of outfit from ripped jeans to leather to animal print. These bands made having bed-head cool.

Last October some friends I went to Boogie Nights, one of our favorite nightclubs in Atlantic City that plays a great mix of 70’s and 80’s music. This time we decided to dress the part, too. I went all out, sporting a poofy dress, black lace-edged leggings, white socks and red pointy heels (see photo). I even crimped my hair. (Yes, I admit to still owning a crimping iron. You never know when you’re going to need it.)

We had a truly AWESOME time and everyone thought my shoes were really cool.

Katie Pasek is the author of “Sure-foot Sam in Jeopardy” and Junior’s New Home. For more information, visit www.katiepasek.com.

Supercloudy Saturday

At 9am-ish I saw blue sky and sun, but now it's overcast.  But that won't stop me from a belated Friday Favorites before I head out for some family fun.   P.S., I totally thought last weekend was Maryland day, but I was wrong.  It's today!  I knew all of those tents couldn't have been for the lacrosse game. 

On to the week's food-related news, etc:

You say tobacco, I say tomato: Durham is kicking that bad habit and turning into a place where "it would make more sense for [them] to list the things on the menu that aren’t local."

Great interview with Jamie Oliver about his Food Revolution in WaPo.  Not only is he boyishly adorable, but he really seems to want to change the world('s eating habits).  He ain't in it for the money.

I want pie (even if it's in Gowanus).  You know why.  

Lastly (in news), and this is a serious matter--a mother creates a documentary while grieving with the loss of her teenage daughter, who died from complications due to an eating disorder. This CDC site has important information and resources. 

In recipe news, Cara's Cravings: Adorable Tiny Spoons Aren't Just for Restaurants.  Enough said :) Also, CINNAMON BUNS!  (from Bakerella--I'm happy not only because I love cinnamon rolls, but because I'm kind of cake-popped out.) I'm gonna celebrate with a picture of some cinnamon buns from my past (that I bought...clearly). 

Locally, Tom loved Ethiopic, and I really want to go.  Currently convincing a friend who works near Union Station to meet me there.  Patios are opening left and right, and on a nice day there is no longer an excuse to stay indoors (via @welovedc).  Get some vitamin D, people!  My recommendation (which was supported my many others) did not bomb.  YAY!

Aaaaand last but certainly not least, Modern Domestic tells me that the next Food Blogger Happy Hour is at Restaurant 3 on May 5, 6-8.  Even though I'm a Marylander now, I know my way around the parking situation in Clarendon (which is 297234235 times better than downtown), and I may just get there before everybody leaves.  Also, I dig R3's happy hour. 

Sorry, I forgot!

I think I am seriously getting old (or maybe just losing a few brain cells for studying too much), but if my memory is right this time, I was on a cruise exactly two weeks ago, and it just struck me now that I promised to post pictures from it! So even though it was a while ago, here they are…tihi. ^^

Me with the birthday girl - or should I say lady?

Even though it was the first time I hung out with jie jie's friends, they were so cute and friendly. ;)


Pretty god damn gorgeous is the right word for my love. ♥

Noshin' Around NYC

Obviously, I can't get enough of New York.  When you grow up living close to NY there is a lot you take for granted, most notably pizza and bagels (although I'll swear up and down that the best bagels are actually in NJ at several establishments).  And even though we've got old favorites, ya gotta try something new every now and again.

So we've gone over and over my love of eggs.  You know the drill by now.  Also: Burgers...or really, one burger in particular.  What do you get when you put an egg ON a burger? 

Pure joy.  This is the very juicy Brunch Burger at Five Napkin Burger in Hell's Kitchen (there's another on the UWS).  I got mine cooked medium, and there were some nice juices running out of it when I cut it.  Juices + egg yolk, and I'm in heaven.

Above and below are some action shots of a very worthy subject--the lamb kofta burger, topped with some awesome tahini sauce and tomato/cucumber/pepper/onion salad.

This burger (and its toppings) was pretty delicious, but we both agreed that the Zola one was better.  But for nearby & a reasonable price, 5NB is a great fit.  AND the fries are hot and crispy.

It's cool that you can make a reservation, especially because this place gets PACKED at night.  Very convenient to the theaters.  Service was great.

Five Napkin Burger
630 9th Avenue @ 45th Street

You can't go to a Broadway show without a snack for intermission.  The chocolate chunk cookie and chocolate macaron from Bouchon Bakery fit the bill perfectly.  We meant to eat breakfast at Bouchon in Las Vegas, but the pasta tasting menu the night before made that unwise.  This Time Warner Center outlet is quite convenient, and ladies let me tell you, the TWC has one of the nicest public bathrooms in Manhattan.  The cookie is top notch.  You can taste the buttery brown sugaryness of it.  It has depth.  Not as in many inches of depth, but flavor depth.  The (big) macaron is divine.   The delicate cookie is light and crisp on the outside, but soft and ganache-y on the inside.  Oh man.  (My love of macarons is well documented.)

Besides delicious pastries of all stripes, you can grab sandwiches like fluffer nutter or grilled cheese (w/tomato soup of course) to go, for one of the free-for-all tables hanging around, OR you can go to the cafe, which has table service!  I was all about the counter service.  I'm on the move, people.  Also, at some point, TWC is super nice and Bouchon is delicious and fancy, but we're in a mall.  Glorified mall, but still.

Extra props to L for saving my arse with some photos when my phone froze for the first (and hopefully last) time.

Bouchon Bakery
10 Columbus Circle, 3d Floor

What in the world is that?  That's what you are thinking.  It's a chocolate cream filled cupcake from Kitchenette.  I thought of it less as a cupcake and more of a Hostess cake.  We also had one filled with peanut butter (that looked almost identical, but the filling was...peanut buttery).  I didn't sink my teeth into either of these until two days after they were purchased.  I'm sure fresh off the rack the cake would have been more moist, but the inside was still quite good.  We ate them out of the fridge, but I would have LOVED if they'd been in the freezer.  Because that's how I am.

At Kitchenette, J enjoyed the Tex-Mex, scrambled eggs, chili, sour cream, and grilled cornbread.  He said the cornbread was the highlight, it was really fluffy.  And he wished for more chili.   [Ed note: he just sent me a photo of the breakfast, and how he did not mention earlier that the eggs and chili were neatly piled atop the cornbread, I have no idea.  ART!]  But the peach iced tea was superb (and served in a mason jar).

Kitchenette Restaurant
156 Chambers Street

 

There you go.  More places to eat in NY.  And I wasn't the only one spending the weekend away!
  
This week flew by waaay too fast, so I think I'll have to Round Up on Saturday instead of Friday!

A joke?

Jewel Denyle торрент

"WHY ARE ALL PUTOS EAT CHICKEN" Chicks Dig

The current president of Bolivia Evo Morales, said that "men are increasingly eating chicks fucking because female hormones "adding that" the Across the pond because they eat are all stripped away, we will morochos, but we look at the hair! "to which the present responded in unison" What Pelaz !!!". These statements, although somewhat humorous, show that to the advances of technology, nothing seems to be in place. Not only are we destroying the planet with pollution of rivers and destroyed, the further we are destroying ourselves with bad food the only good they do is for the pockets of own production companies.
Another product was criticized by the president of Coca Cola. "Yes, every now and then sent me a coca leaves ... say Coca Cola. "and then added" here in Bolivia, plumbers, used to unclog the toilets "imagine the amount of rubbish that has ...
Finally, I leave you with another Evo phrase that portrays all of the above:" Planet or Death! "Joaquin M. Molinari

(correspondent in Bolivia)


PS: The quotes are not literal, any similarity with reality is purely coincidental.

The 70's - The Decade of Fashion Disasters!

The 70's wasn't such a bad decade. Some of the music was pretty good. The Eagles, the Doobie Brothers, Kansas, Jim Croce (my personal fav), Bob Dylan (still going strong!) and, ahem...cough, The Bee Gees. Okay, so most people hate the Disco Era! I probably wouldn't have given the Brothers Gibb a second though either, except Barry was so darn good-looking!! And, I still like songs such as Nights On Broadway, How Deep Is Your Love, To Love Somebody, etc. So, give me a break.

Oh, but the clothes!! I gag just thinking of polyester! Does anyone out there remember leisure suits? If not, you're in for a treat. Yep. This is how we dressed in the early 70's. Enough to gag a maggot...right?

When the 70's fashion look began creeping its way back a year or two ago, I just shook my head. No way, no how. I would NOT be a party to such awful clothes. Been there-done that. Not again. NEVER! Okay, so shoot me. I did break down and buy a couple pairs of flared-leg pants and jeans, but only because they guaranteed to make me look taller! Just don't get me near polyester! That ship has sailed.


Mary Cunningham is the author of the award-winning, 'Tween Fantasy/time-travel series, "Cynthia's Attic," women's humor book, "WOOF: Women Only Over Fifty," and several short stories.

Mary Cunningham Books
Amazon
Kindle
Fictionwise
Quake/Echelon Press

TODAY SHOW'S "Top Dog Contest"

My granddaughters and I take Gypsy, my Jack Russell terrier, to nursing homes to entertain the residents. She does a routine of tricks. I just sent a video of her tricks to the Top Dog Contest being held on the TODAY SHOW. Winner gets a trip to NY and gets to perform on the show. If you'd like to see her tricks, click on this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQUu3LC9Y_U

Red Rash On Skin Spreading

Smarts

If you can't make it to Java Green for lunch, then go for dinner.

Recently my frequent dinnermates and I had a strange situation--we could not find any Friday or Saturday night for our monthly gathering.  Even a weekend morning brunch was out--everybody was traveling at all the wrong times.  So we settled on weekday happy hour, which obviously turned into a trip to Java Green.  Speaking of Java Green, Cafe Green recently opened, and it already has some raves (and rants) on Yelp. 

Back to our dinner.

Here was my line of thinking:  You can't go wrong with an old favorite.  I had the rice and beyond.  The new, updated menu renamed the orange chicken to be "sweet and sour," but I assure you, it's the same.  E was with me on this.  The best part of R&B (not that R&B) is that you get so many different items and (most importantly) textures!  Smooth, rough, gummy, crunchy, sweet, spicy, and I could go on.  It's all there.

Mmmm, "chicken" sandwich.  M's choice.  She seemed to like it, but I was suspicious about the ratio of bread to guts. 

 B had a lot of the same contents as rice and beyond, but also some bulgogi.  And no potsticker/dumpling guy (which I think was missed).  Otherwise, yum yum contents!

C's ramen was pretty good.  It was ramen--it didn't knock my socks off, but it was hot and noodley, and full of veggies.  If that's what you need, it'll deliver. But I'd prefer pho.

Ready for the bummer part?  If it's a nice day, maybe you want to take a little walk for some dessert.  Guess what?  Hello Cupcake closes at 7 Mon-Thurs.  Don't worry, I can bring cupcakes into any conversation.

Java Green
1020 18th St NW
Metro: Orange and Blue Lines to Foggy Bottom or Farragut West; Red Line to Farragut North