Friday Things
1. I’m pretty sure Joseph will be able to figure out SnapChat before I do.
2. So much truth >> What Life is Like Before and After You Get a Dog
3. I’m working on new topics for my Baking Basics series… any requests?!
4. Approximately half of my Facebook friends seem to be at the beach this week, which is making me crave the sand and salty air like crazy. Hopefully next year!
5. THIS IS MY LIFE:
6. We’ve been making a ton of stovetop popcorn lately, and my stainless steel pot has taken a beating. Even after washing it and using Bar Keeper’s Friend (which gets EVERYTHING off of my pots), it still has an oily residue both inside AND out. Any tips on how to get that off??
7. Are high-waisted pants a thing now? I’m afraid of the answer because anytime I see someone significantly more fashion-forward than I am (which is, pretty much everyone), especially teens and 20-somethings, they are in high-waisted pants. I cannot do high-waisted pants. I repeat… I CANNOT DO IT. Please don’t let this be a thing.
8. Stories like this about how hot it is in Arizona are a prime example of why I could never make a permanent move south or west. I need my seasons and I just can’t stand the heat!
9. Did you watch any of the O.J.: Made in America documentary? We got sucked into the American Crime Story movie about him a couple of months ago, and always love the 30 for 30 documentaries, so we hunkered down for the seven-and-a-half hours, and it was worth every single second. Totally fascinating and extremely well-done. Totally recommend!
10. TGIF! Such big lugs!
For lots of cleaning problems I use the Mr. Clean Magic Erasers, love em; including my stovetop popcorn pan.
I would like to see a baking basic post on sour dough starter and additions posts on how you use it. Thanks
Baking basics I’d be interested in:
1) Differences between types and brands of baking yeast.
2) When & how to use lower-fat oil substitutes such as applesauce and yogurt.
3) When to use oil vs butter vs shortening (or a combination of these) in cookies, muffins, and quick breads.
Lol…..high waisted pants were never a good look! I’m a Birkenstock woman, so relaxed, easy, and probably flannel works best. Say, probably just the shadow -play on your little man, but it looks like he has some dark bruising on his little leg. Is he ok? He’s such a cutie and its great to see him as he grows! Congratulations on your new baby as well!
Hi Jenny, It’s just shadows (and probably the photo filter I used, ha!). No big bumps or bruises for him yet! Thank you :)
Hi Michelle. These copper sponges are amazing! Give them a try. I got mine at Sur La Table and while pricey, worth it I think. http://www.surlatable.com/product/PRO-876664/Burstenhaus+Redecker+Copper+Sponges. I’ve cleaned all my baking sheets!
Congrats on your Penguins Stanley Cup win btw. Was disappointed for my Sharks but it was a great series and happy for you :)
Joseph is too cute playing on his belly with whatever kind of electronic toy that is…lol…I’m just going to say it once…step away from anything with a high waist. The only people who look good in anything with a high waist are people who have almost stick like figures – everyone else looks ridiculous – and the shorts are the worst! As far as tutorials for the site or suggestions – I agree with the ladies who asked for the info on getting bars and cakes out of pans and looking good – my stuff never wants to come out of the pan – total cluster. I would go with the baking soda in boiling water for the pan and then following that up with a brillo pad followed up with your regular dish soap. That should clean it all…lol. Though I agree that a Whirlypop is a good idea. I too must have seasons – though I live in the St. Louis area and right now it’s like someone opened the door to the place that doesn’t freeze over and is sending all the hot air our way – I get really sick in high heat with humidity and that’s all we’ve had for 2 weeks – I’m in real fear of what August and September are going to be like here. Have a great week!
I find that the best way to get my stainless steel pan shiny again is to cook spaghetti sauce in it. The acid in the tomatoes wipes away any mark left inside. On the outside I’d try rubbing it with cream of tarter. I know that sounds weird but you know the brown stain sludge you get on the bottom of le creuset pans? Cream of tarter scrubbed (gently) with a damp sponge takes it ALL off, like brand new. You could give that a try.
In response to #3 3. I’m working on new topics for my Baking Basics series… any requests?!: I would like to make a request that you somehow help your community understand more gluten free baking (specifically which gluten free flours to use for what). there are rice flours, brown rice flours, almond flours, oat flours, quinoa flour, etc… I want to know which are the best to have in stock based on my baking and cooking needs… that would be phenomenal! Happy Weekend! and I am stuck in town as well (in Arizona no less) while many of my friends are beaching it! you are in good company! enjoy the AC and time to do things you may not have (all those tv shows, organizing that closet, and by all means, plant some flowers!!!)
I use simple green on my popcorn pan. After I get all the gunk off I wash really good with hot water and dish soap.
Here’s an idea for your baking series. How about a tutorial on how to get bars, cakes, etc. out of the pan and how to cut them to look professional. I have tried all sorts of knives, bench scrapers, etc. and they never come out nice and sharp and clean edged. They are always somewhat mashed down on the edges. I never know if I should use a serrated knife, thin blade knife, or whatever. I want my pieces to look as good as yours. Thanks. FYI, no political ads show up for me – just advertising.
I agree with Jan about bars/squares looking professional when you cut them. I would also like information on taking a full size recipe and making it mini. Ex: cheesecake to individual cheesecakes, cupcakes to mini, etc. Do cook times and oven temps stay the same?
Thanks for a great site! I reference often and share your recipes. I especially like homemade versions of store bought items.
I can’t do high-waisted pants either. We’ll be unfashionably fashionable together. ??
don’t give in to fashion on this one! high waisted pants are not attractive! They never were!
Get yourself a Whirlypop for making popcorn! Inexpensive, makes best ever popcorn, quickly and no scrubbing. You will thank me.
Love that piece about dogs! Their worth it all!!
Joseph is getting cuter everyday! Love that you share pictures
of him and your beautiful dogs! Have a great weekend!
Hi Michelle,
I love your blog. I’ve never commented before but when I saw this post I had to. I’m the shortest-waisted person on the planet, so when I tried on the new high-waisted shorts they came up WAAAAAAY closer to my boobs than I would have ever guessed. I’m talking way above my belly button. I looked like Steve Urkel (<–can you tell how old I am? lol!) Giant fail!!! I am doomed to be unfashionable until this trend is over.
Where I am – south florida – the high waisted shorts always come with a very, very, very short inseam. Apparently, if your belly button is covered, it is OK for the bottoms of your butt cheeks to hang out. God, I feel old. I will say this: the cute crop tops which are also super in-style don't look good with anything but high-waisted bottoms. I've tried a crop top with a high-waisted skirt, which solves the butt-cheek issue and looks nice and stylish (although feels super weird). So maybe try that, if you want to meet the trend halfway? xo Mel
PS 100% agree with whomever commented that the highwaisted denim shorts look like denim granny panties. They are trendy but don't do ANYTHING for the butts of the majority of their wearers.
I am super short waisted too, so happy to hear this! Well, kind of… I’ll probably be in maternity clothes until after the New Year, so hopefully by next summer it’ll all be over lol.
I second the request for Vegan recipes, a good friend of ours is a Vegan and I want to make awesome food for her but the struggle is real… Also major major raves on your NY style cheesecake. We went strawberry picking this weekend so we needed something to do with all those berries!
If your pot is all stainless with metal handles, you could place it in your oven on the clean cycle. Something I saw on Pinterest that I am going to try on my aluminum pans is a paste of Hydrogen Peroxide and baking soda. I have used a citrus degreaser that you can find at Lowes or Home Depot I use a dishcloth or paper towels to keep it wet after spraying so that it soaks and it comes off really
well .
My first attempt to clean my stainless is baking soda but when that fails, I use the Pfaltzgraff stone and porcelain cleaner. Wipe some on (it’s a liquid), leave it for awhile and then scrub it off (I use a crocheted nylon net scrubbie). I think it’s on sale right now. http://www.pfaltzgraff.com/18-ounce-bottle-pfaltzgraff-cleaner/5116113.html#start=2. I use it on my porcelain sink and gas cook top, anything that is stubborn. One word of caution, I left a scrubbie with some on it on my laminate countertop and it left a dull spot.
As far as living in Arizona at this time of year, I consider this my winter. I go from an air conditioned house, to an air conditioned car, to an air conditioned store… you get the picture. AND I don’t have to shovel the heat. AND September through May are generally gorgeous.
Since I”m all about non-toxic cleaners, the suggestions above wouldn’t be OK with me. I had an All-Clad stainless steel pan with stuck on coconut oil. It would not come off. The trick I used:
1. Boil water in the pan and put a good amount of baking soda in the pan to boil.
2. After boiling for a few minutes, dump out and scrub with a non-scratch steel pad.
3. Use Mrs. Meyer’s powder to continue scrubbing.
3. Repeat as needed until everything is clean.
It took a couple of times, but my pan looks brand new and there was nothing toxic used in the process.
High waisted jeans . . . I’m conflicted . . . sometimes I think “yes, I could wear those” and other times I’m a committed “sits at the waist” pants gal – not too high, not too low. The life-before-dogs story struck a chord with me . . . especially life with a Golden and my car. I need to get one of those seat covers I see in various catalogs. Einstein & Duke look like the heat is not their friend either, liking it sprawled out on the cool floor.
Also, just an FYI, I do not get political ads on your bog . . . I get ads from places I shop online (which is fine by me). I really enjoy your blog; it’s the only one I read every day. Have a great weekend!
1. I don’t do snapchat but of course my kids do… Just like selfies, just not my thing, my daughter always looks like the cover of vogue, I look like a mug shot.
2. Can’t remember life without at least 2 dogs, now it is 5. Not the crazy cat lady, but dog lady.
3. Substitutions for things you don’t have on hand; Self Rise flour, buttermilk, cake flour, eggs, oil… etc. Thank goodness for Google, I am forever looking up a substitution. I live in Texas and it is a 20 min trip to get to the store, purchase and a 20 minute trip home, at least an hour for 1 item that I’m out of.. That is only if I don’t get distracted or side tracked
4. Some evil bacteria running rampant on the Texas Coast, so beach for me…
5. My Life TOTALLY…
6.Popcorn, can’t eat… But I will try the Oven Cleaner trick on my Jelly Roll Pans that look AWFUL.
7.I want “Waist” Not High, Not Low Rise.
8.As I said previous, I am in Texas, so we do have Summer 9 months of the year… But winter only a day or 2 at a time… God Bless William Carrier for inventing the A/C.
9. I Totally was sucked into the O.J. Made in America. There was so much on there that I either missed at the time or was never really on the news or publicized … Of course there was no Face Book, & Social Media spreading all gory details. I had no idea how many times she had called the police on him! I missed the “American Crime Story” on FX, the one with Cuba Gooding, John Travolta etc.
Thanks for all you do include in your blog… I love it and have enjoyed watching that little adorable boy & his dog…
Have a Blessed weekend!
Thanks for #5. It’s my goal in life. My 2 yo great-nephew loves his mom’s ipad. I think it’s amazing how smart kids are.
As for anything OJ, I refuse to watch. I became physically ill when he was acquitted – had to leave work. One of America’s greatest tragedies.
love stove popped popcorn….I have a Whirley popper….many places sell them, Target, Bed Bath and Beyond and Cracker Barrel just to name afew….saves the cooking pots from that old oil….not sure how to get that out…just keep scrubbing
I always use baking soda on my pans and it does pretty well. Some have a little discoloration but I use them all the time so that’s to be expected I suppose.
If you don’t like high waisted pants, don’t wear them. I can’t believe how many trends I’ve avoided because they don’t look good on me or I simply don’t like them.
Oh and yessssss to that OJ documentary.
Try using the kitchen strength CLR in your pan.
If I lived closer I would give you a crash course in snapchat! I love it!! I am with you on the high waisted jeans…I hope they are short lived. I wasn’t really a fan of the low waisted either, can’t we just stick with the mid????
I agree, mid is where it’s at!
Regarding baking ideas, I would love to see some vegan and/or healthier (reduced oil etc) recipes.
Also, I know that your site has to be supported by advertising but the mean spirited political ads need to go. They do not represent what I think I have come to know about you.
Hi Sue Ellen – I don’t get political ads of any kind on BEB’s site. Most of my ads relate to websites I’ve been to. As I type this, I’m looking at ads from REI, Sur la Table, Cholula and a couple that seem to be geared toward my age demographic.
Same as what Marla said. I get mostly Anthropologie and ModCloth ads.
W/r/t the oily residue on the pots, one thing I can recommend from personal experience is Dawn Power Dissolver. It has a light scent that won’t make you want to open doors and windows to air the house out, which is a *huge* plus here, since we have parrots in the house. It’s fairly inexpensive, so it won’t break the bank in the event that it doesn’t work. NAYY, just have been in love with this stuff ever since I first tried it several years ago and discovered it got crud off a pan that *nothing* else worked on! One recommendation is to leave it on for longer than recommended – I found it works better on difficult residue if I left it on for 30 to 45 minutes, rather than the recommended (IIRC) 20 minutes. JME, YMMV.
For those who wear high-waisted jeans – God Speed to you. I’ll be sticking with my own low-waisters. And as for those high-waisted short shorts, they look like denim granny underwear.
For the popcorn, I just have a dedicated pot for my ‘corn.
Also, I think you meant ‘crave’ for the first ‘crazy’ in #4? Hope you can hit some kind of sand this summer!
Yeah, no way I’m jumping on the high waisted bandwagon. We can be unfashionable together. And totally agree about the high waisted short shorts – saw a lot of those at the mall last week and couldn’t believe what I was seeing!
to #6…I recently saw someone using spray-on oven cleaner on her 20 year old enameled pots. Once upon a time they sold brush-on oven cleaner. Not sure if they still do. Gloves and a mask. Worth a try. I think Scrubbing Bubbles is the bathroom equivalent (not as toxic) to oven cleaner.
Pretty predictable that just when I clean out drawers and closets, the clothes I tossed will be “in”. Sorry, I think I caused the high-waisted thing – however, I’m so old, I’m only doing the stretchy waisted thing. Try soaking that pan over night with a dryer sheet. Works for baked on gunk. Not 100% certain it will work for grease, but it won’t hurt if it doesn’t work.
Linda Jean is right about the dryer sheet. Fill pot w/hot soapy water + dryer sheet and leave overnight. Use dryer sheet to scrub any leftover residue. If it’s really bad, you might need to repeat, but it will even loosen black, crusty stuff if you accidentally burn food in a pan or casserole.
Yes, high-waisted pants are back in, even straight-up Mom Jeans. (Sorry, even SNL can’t make those okay.) Also back are jean jackets, acid washed jeans with rips, jelly bracelets, construction boots, and super-dark, super-matte berry lipstick. It’s like a bizarre, Kurt Cobain in a Whitesnake video, 80’s/90’s fashion mashup. A few weeks ago, I was scolded by my 13 yr old niece for not saving my clothes for her. Apparently, the kids get some kind of bonus points on the coolness score sheet if their clothes are actually from the 80’s and 90’s. I’m waiting for the Golden Girls fashion line. Picture it: H&M, 2016. ;-)
Yeah, I feel like I don’t need to re-live my late elementary and middle school years in fashion. But I’ll watch Golden Girls reruns til the cows come home!
Hi Michelle, Unfortunately Jessica is right, high-waisted pants and jeans have been around for some time now and totally in. You should try them, at first i wasnt too sure about them but love them now! They are GREAT!
Well, it’ll probably be at least six months before I’m back in regular clothes anyway… maybe this trend will die a fiery death before then. Here’s hoping!
I’m sorry to break it to you but high-waisted pants have been a thing for a few years now! Majorly in fashion! :D