Friday Things
1. Duke will be 10 weeks old tomorrow, and my what a difference a week makes! His face has matured, his legs have grown like weeds and his ears have even gotten longer… all in one week! He’s become much more playful and energetic, which means that our house has turned into a full-time circus when you throw Einstein into the mix.
2. I mentioned last week that I was going to see a hand specialist about my finger issues since I sliced it back in June. Well, the doctor believes there is some scar tissue issues and/or tendon damage and recommended surgery, which would consist of a recovery time of anywhere from one week with stitches to eight weeks in a full forearm splint. Can you say, “ugghhhh”?! I’m going to get a second opinion before I get sliced open, but, ughhh not good news.
3. As you know, I’ve been referring to my now-husband as my Chief Culinary Consultant since we began dating nearly five years ago. Since we’re married now, I thought I would take a little informal reader poll… Would you like me to continue referring to him as my Chief Culinary Consultant, or “my husband”? Feel free to cast a vote in the comments below :)
4. I have become completely enamored with Bobbi Brown makeup. I started buying it here and there a few years ago, and now 99% of my makeup bag consists of Bobbi Brown. Are any of you long-time users? Do you have any favorite product recommendations or suggestions for “looks” to put together?
5. A BEB reader, Lola, created a gluten-free version of the Snickers Cake that I created in April for my dad’s birthday. If you are on the hunt for gluten-free recipes, be sure to check out her modification!
6. The Essie Fall 2013 nail colors are out!
I picked up three of them last weekend – Twin Sweater Set (#1), The Lace Is On (#2) and After School Boy Blazer (#4). The “boy blazer” color is a rich blue-black color, which is pretty different from what I usually wear, but I decided to step outside my box. Any tips for wearing this color? Is it best with certain clothes of a certain shade?
7. I’ve just recently started reading about cooking bacon in the oven instead of in a skillet. I love skillet bacon, but it makes a huge mess and it takes quite awhile. When I’m lazy, I use the microwave, but that can get equally as greasy. Have any of you made bacon in the oven? Thumbs up? I think I’m going to give it a try this weekend. I’ll be sure to report back :)
8. I am more than ready to do some fall shoe shopping. I’m in desperate need of some nice brown boots, and I have my eye on this pair of Frye boots. I have a hard time getting over the price hurdle, though. If you have Frye boots, are they really long-lasting? If I’m going to spend that much, I want to be able to wear them for more than a couple of seasons!
9. Also on my fall shopping list is a new purse. I’m a big Coach fan, but I’m thinking of checking out some other brands this fall. Who are your favorite purse makers?
10. TGIF! All you need is love… ♥
Bacon in the oven. Best thing ever. We don’t cook it any other way now. DO IT! You won’t regret it. And, I’d say husband. It’s so much more fun that way too. :)
U should continue to call hubby the Culinary Consultant.
I have been roasting bacon for years, ever since I saw Ina Garten on Barefoot Contessa. So easy, little clean-up. Perfect bacon every time. I cook a pound st a time and freeze it cooked. Defrosts quickly. Re-crisps quickly.
Love your dogs! I have been a daily reader for a long time, i always start my day with your blog. Unfortunately, moved to another property, same company and that’s been a month ago that I am not complete without your blog. Love the weekend posts that recommends other website. CCC is my vote, sounds cute. Congrats on your marriage btw, see you were still single last time I read. I remember that cut finger, hope it gets better soon. I just got a Michael Kors bag+wallet combo for my birthday in 2 weeks! I love my husband!!!
p.s. I made a no bake cheesecake and told him I have cheesecake for dessert. When he tasted it, he asked what it was coz it’s not cheesecake that I usually make. I am proud of him , he knows the difference :-)
I’ve been doing bacon in the oven for well over 20 years now and the only way I do it anymore. Makes beautifully crisp bacon and I usually strain the renderings and keep a jar in the frig. Bake at 375-400 for 18 to 20 minutes. Have gotten so that I lay the sheet pan w/foil for easier cleanup. Enjoy!
I’d never heard of making bacon in the oven before my boyfriend made it for me, it’s the only way he makes it and it works fantastically!
I always, always, always bake my bacon. 385 for about 14 minutes in my oven produces perfect slightly chewy, somewhat crisp bacon. I just use a foil lined pan for easy clean up.
I think Chief Culinary Consultant is very unique and you should keep it :)
1. LOVE bacon in the oven. Sometimes I’ll add brown sugar and black pepper on it before I bake. Delicious.
2. Fossil, Michael Kors, and Cole Haan are fabulous purses.
3. Frye is a really great brand and they really do last a long time.
4. A lot have people have mentioned physical therapy, but I’d highly recommend that you make sure that pt or occupational therapist is a certified hand therapist. CHT’s have an extra 5 years in training related to hands and upper limbs; they really are experts.
5. Essie is my all time favorite nail polish. I also recently tried CND Vinylux and that stuff REALLY lasts a long time. Make sure to use the specific top coat with the lacquer.
I vote for husband as it is less confusing. I, too, thought that possibly your Culinary Consultant was a female and you two were a couple. I frequently make bacon in the oven and this method is much simpler and the clean-up much easier.
I vote for CCC. Just LOVE the pics of Duke and the one of him with Einstein is priceless!!
I think you should keep calling your husband your CCC – it’s fun and unique. I don’t use a lot of Bobbi Brown makeup but I love the Shimmer Bricks. They are the best! Have fun with your nail polish. I wear all different colors all the time, and now I wear two colors at the same time. I base it on my mood. Oh and purses. I really like Gucci. The price point isn’t too much higher than Coach for basic models. I really try to steer clear of made in China products like most of Coach. And good luck with your finger :)
CCC and husband are both great…so you should call him what you like (and i think he should have a say too, afterall he’s your consultant ;) ). You could change it up depending on what you’re talking about; baking, sports, etc.
Duke is darling! About the bacon — do it in the oven. I discovered this method last winter and it is a time and mess saver. The bacon is perfect every single time! Line your pan with tin foil and there is no mess to clean up, on the pan or in the oven.
I vote for husband. I think it reflects his new status in your life…and it’s more romantic (to me) than CCC.
Personally, I cook bacon on my George Foreman grill. I can get it as crispy as I want and it gets rid of all the liquid and fat. I have a George for two, so I do cut my slices of bacon in half – but I’m okay with that.
Einstein (and now Duke) are my favorite thing to look forward to in Friday’s email. So adorable!
Do get a 2nd (and 3rd) opinion on your hand. Know the risks and consequences of getting the surgery vs. not and determine what is best for you.
Best wishes!
Depending on how much you want to spend, I would recommend Marc by Marc Jacobs. They’re gorgeous leather bags with sturdy hardware. I love that they offer trendier designs and colors, along with more classic bag shapes and colors. They’re a bit pricey, but it’s worth it for the beautiful leather.
What a lovely puppy!
Chlef Culinary Consultant has a great ring to it! Keep it.
Those dogs are adorable, too!!
I just gave away a pair of Frye boots I have had since the early 90″s !! If you take care of them they last forever.
I vote for CCC.
Congrats on marriage. Good luck with your hand.
Bacon in the oven – easiest thing and clean up!
1) Line an edged cookie sheet with heavy duty foil (because it’s bigger than the every day variety, not because it takes a beating, and I want to use my largest pan to make as much bacon as possible),
2) Put as much bacon on there in a single layer as you can (if you’re going to make bacon this easily, you may as well make some extra – that way you can freeze any leftovers for a quick recharge in the microwave when needed) You can fit the slices in pretty close since it will shrink up
3) Bake at 350-375ish for 20 minutes or desired doneness – turn a time or two during the process.
4) I set the cooked slices on a paper towel for a minute or two, and wha-laa! A ton of crispy bacon without having to babysit it and here’s the best part…
5) Just let the now empty sheet pan sit for a few minutes to cool, fold up the foil and throw it away – you don’t even have to wash the pan!!!
Oh my gosh could Duke be any darn cuter??
Your pups are so cute! It’s amazing how quickly they grow up, isn’t it?!
I am considering purchasing a pair of Frye boots this fall too – I actually tried them on (the Melissa Button style) and LOVED them, but decided to think about it due to the very steep price tag. But they’re soooooo nice!
Love those nail polish colors too.
I vote for CCC… Duke is the cutest thing in the world! Real sorry about your finger,hope it gets better!
I vote for Culinary Consultant!
Love the picture of Einstein and Duke sleeping together ! Best buds!
We know him as CCC, so that has my vote! More pics of Einstein and Duke please!
I’ve broiled bacon. I tell myself it’s healthier. ;)
I guess I’m in the minority from my perusal, but I like Chief Culinary Consultant myself. Of course, the novelty of calling your significant other “my husband” when you’re a newlywed definitely can’t be understated!
Excuse me–overstated. Ha.
I have purchased handbags from this site for years and they wear like iron. I have given them as gift to my daughters and now my granddaughters too. Not cheap but last forever.
http://www.juliaduren.com/index.html
I’ve recently been using the Bobbi Brown skin care. They have great facial moisturizers and eye creams. A little pricey, but on my 4th month of each jar of the night cream and day moisturizer. So I’d say its worth it.
Hi Michelle,
How fun that you and your husband want to hear our opinions! Thanks for asking :-). My vote goes to HUSBAND! He got promoted in your life to the status of “husband” so he should here too – but then again, I’m traditional, and definitely think marriage does make a difference. (Husband just means SO much more than CCC.)
Or go to SCC: Spousal Culinary Consultant because “spouse” is also more than just a “chief.”
I really enjoy your blog and appreciate that you include a fun mix of cooking, baking, how-to tips, and the personal fun stuff. Many years of continued success in all of it!
Call him husband, he has earned it. Tumi makes great (long-lasting) purses. Have had one for three years. Expensive, but well worth it.
Do see a second opinion for your finger, every Doctor is different. If you can, sought out a Hand Surgeon who specializes only in the hand, ( increase change of a better outcome).
Even though he is your husband, it’s still fine to call him your CCC, its sweeter than I call my hubby the KING! Your pups are so sweet and loving. Have a wonderful weekend! xxoo Warmly, Anna and Liz
I love your dogs so much….makes me miss having a dog! I like CCC for your husband. I have been cooking bacon in my oven for years after I watched an episode of Barefoot Contessa….it turns out perfectly every time…who woulda thunk???
Cooking bacon in the oven is the BOMB! I can cook an entire package at one time, which is great for BLT’s or when were having breakfast for dinner – I can cook bacon and pancakes at the same time.
As an added bonus I don’t have bacon grease splattered all over. It’s a win – win :)
As with a few others, it took me a LONG time to realize that your CCC meant more to you than just an assistant or close friend. Personally, I didn’t catch on to the relationship until the blog post where you decided to purchase a house together. Some may think that your blog should perhaps stay completely professional, but I LOVE the personalized stories about your family (LOVED what your grandmother did with your great-grandmothers recipes) and life. It really connects me to your blog on an emotional level and keeps me committed to reading daily. I don’t know anything about fashion, purses, or boots. Your recipes and brilliant writing have made yours the only blog I follow. I vote towards referring to your CCC husband as your CCC, but maybe with a touch more feeling. CCC can be very dry IMO. No matter what though, u will always follow and reference my catalog of BEB recipes. Thank you so much for your commitment to this, and I wish you the very best in life.
*I will always follow
I like Chief Culinary Consultant. I love the new Essie colors, I ordered mine online can’t wait till they arrive. I love Kate Spade and Michael Kors bags.
I love Essie’s For the twill of it. It changes colors depending upon the light
Chief Culinary Consultant..
Duke is AWESOME! We just got our 2nd Goldendoodle and she is a handful! Love the Retriever/ Poodle mix, they are so smart!
I like that you call your hubby your CCC. Since I started reading your blog a year or two ago, I’ve been wishing that I had a cute nickname for my hubby. Also, I’m a HUGE fan of cooking bacon in the oven. I love crispy bacon, and the oven does that way better than the skillet. Plus it’s great to get nearly a whole package cooked in less than 30 minutes without being splattered by hot grease. BTW, your doggies look so cute together!
When my schnauzer got to be an “old lady” we got a puppy. She sure perked up. It seemed that she got her youth back. As for hubby, Chief Culinary Consultant sounds good to me, but Hubby is a lot less letters.
1) Seeing Duke makes me want to press my hubby more for a family dog.
2) Making brownies and cupcakes from your site this weekend for birthdays
3) Glad you cleared the CCC up because I told my hubby I thought he was your husband. But I like CCC ( 1 vote)
4) I bought the entire Essie collection on Amazon for $31.00 and the colors are great!
5) I’m thinking of getting the Coach Legacy Turnlock. I like kiss-lock purses too.
6) I bought Arturo Chang boots during PiperLime sale. They have good sales.
7) I absolutely love your site! I talk about you like you’re a friend who’s giving me recipes.
Please stick with Chief Culinary Consultant…it’s perfect!
We cook bacon only in the oven now. It’s less messy and soooo easy. We line a baking sheet with tin foil, spray with pam and then lay out the bacon. 350 degrees for about 25 min or so and it’s perfect! It’s flat, not all crumpled up…perfect for BLTs or club sammies. good luck!
I vote for Kate Spade purses! My favorite brand and her lines are so simple and elegant. Also, check out the different brands that Littles in Squirrel Hill carries. Blondo and Ara (sp?) are so good and last forever, even through the salt and snow! Definitely worth the $200+ price tag.
I love CCC – so cute! Would still love to see pics of the wedding! :) Your babies are super cute too – I love that last pic of them together!
Always make bacon in the oven..it cooks more evenly. I still watch it and turn it on the tray, if necessary. Duke has changed and from the looks of it, he and EInstein are becoming buddies. I’m a two thumbs up for calling the husband, CCC.lets not ruin his image
1. Duke is adorable!
2. I like CCC
3. I’ve had my Frye boots – Melissa back zip in brown for 3 years now and they still look great. I buy a lot of my fall clothes based on whether they’ll go with my boots.
Duke is soooo cute!!
I’ll vote for Chief Culinary Consultant. “Husband” is rather generic. I doubt newbies will be confused. I’m a recent reader and I caught on right away.
Oven bacon for the win! I do mine with a broiler pan and it gets super crispy.
My vote: CCC….the only title he needs!! And YES, absolutely try bacon in the oven. I started this over the summer. It is soooo much easier to clean up. The bacon turns out great!
Just putting in my 2 cents in on the bacon. I LOVE cooking it in the oven. Just put foil down (I hate cooking on foil, but hate cleaning a greasy stove more) on a cookie sheet and follow the directions on the package. As long as you don’t overcook it, it is perfect and you don’t even have to flip it! It is the only way I cook it anymore.
Stick with CCC… Bacon in the oven as others say is awesome, follow what they say about foil on baking sheet etc.
I sliced my pinky finger years ago and it will not go straight anymore. It is permanently curved… Doesn’t bother me though. Although still freaks me out when I try to straighten or play with it. Lol
I liked “Chief Culinary Consultant.” I thought it was terribly clever the first time I saw it. It gives just enough of a respectful nod to someone who is not an assistant and not as involved as you are in the kitchen.
Keep up the great blog!!
JPK Paris love their purses!! And the dogs are adorable
Oven bacon works great! My sister and I worked in food service and that’s how we made it in the cafeteria. We both still do it that way … one of very few cafeteria tricks worth adapting to home. I like the title CCC !! And re: the Frye boots. My experience is they last forever because they’re so hard to take on and off you’ll never wear ’em haha. The ones that were big enough to slide into easily were too big everywhere else … the ones that fit my feet are impossible to get on. So DO try ’em on and walk around in them lots before you decide!!! And I love Coach bags but lately have been colleting Kate Spade bags too. They just came out with their Spring (? 2014 Spring already?!) collection yesterday and there are great ones on there. Good sales and outlets too. :)
I love making bacon in the oven. What I tend to do though is that I put a rack on top of the cookie sheet so that the fat comes off of the bacon and cooks nice and crispy without all of the extra fat.
And I vote that he stay your CCC.
Def get a second opinion on your hand before getting sliced open. Good luck!!! :)
Chief Culinary Consultant. “Husband” is bland.
You have my best wishes on your hand surgery. I had mine done 1 year ago and it was all arthritis. They restrung the tendon to my thumb and have a 3″ scar at the wrist from that one. They removed a bone from the wrist on the underside that just is a spacer for your bones at your wrist. I couldn’t use my right hand to start my vehicle because of the pain. I have a new joint in my middle finger. I was told that it probably wouldn’t bend but I thought it might be better if it wasn’t fused out straight and unable to move at all. That is not the finger I want erect!
They tried to get it straighter but it’s still really bent because I had worn the bone down a lot. It can be used to hold things down but not much strength in the hand and still some pain and I still drop a lot of things. It is much better than it was. The middle finger was so crooked that when I tried to type on the computer, I hit the key next to what I wanted to hit. As I said, it has been a year but I reduced the pain by about 50%. It was worth it!!! Get a second opinion but don’t put it off because you will do more damage. Good luck.
Duke is adoreable. And the picture of him and Einstein is priceless. We just lost one of our two dogs a couple of months ago, so this one really warms my heart.
Chief Culinary Consultant…just more fun!! Love the pic of the two doggies!! So sweet :)
I’m in favor of CCC…marriage seems like granting him tenure in the CCC position. As for bacon in the oven….we love it in my house. Sometimes I use my broiler pan so the grease drips down away from the bacon too.
I guess because I’m older I’m also “old fashioned” & think husband is foremost. But I’m for whatever pleases him most…..Good luck with your hand….take care….
I am SO ready for another golden pup in my home. My 15 month old golden would love to have a little friend too. Bacon done in the oven is great! So much less mess to clean up after it’s done and while it’s in the oven, I am able to do other things to get breakfast on the table, so I say go for it. I am a huge Coach fan, but over the last year Fossil has hit my radar screen hard. Fossil bags are so classic & made with good thick leather that wears so nicely. As for input on the CCC vs husband, I say honor him with the appropriate title of “husband”. Really anyone can fill in at any moment as your CCC, but only he alone can be called your husband – that’s huge!
I’m fond of your CCC reference and vote to keep the title! Maybe once in a while for new readers, you could say “my husband aka my CCC” to make it clear to them.
Sorry about the surgery potential–and, yes, get a second opinion.
Your new puppy and old “puppy” are so sweet together!
Yes to keeping Chief Culinary Consultant.
I love Michael Kors bags, I love his style, but am a little partial because we were friends in high school. I love Stone Mountain for the soft leather. I love Tignanello for smaller, cross body and shoulder styles. I also like Sportsac for travel, because you can roll them up and stuff them in your carry on bag!
Frye boots last forever!! Use saddle soap to clean them and a good conditioner like Lexol.
I vote husband! Also I can’t wait for your wedding post. You puppies look super cute! Have a great weekend!
My vote is for CCC, but it might be nice to refer to him by his actual name. Your new puppy is adorable. Sure hope your finger issues don’t require surgery – a second opinion is wise.
I have cooked bacon in the oven and it’s great – just line a sheet pan with foil and lay the bacon on a cookie rack (I actually have an older one that I only use for cooking bacon in the oven).
Your furry family members are fantastic! Stick with the title of Chief Culinary Consultant. Sounds more official in the kitchen. Good luck with your second opinion. Since fall is in the air, I am heating up the oven to bake your date bars for the family and brownies for my teaching partners. Monday is Back To School Night and I know we’ll need a chocolate fix to power through the long evening.
Do away with CCC. His name or husband already!!! CCC sound a lil silly :(
Duke is precious. : )
And Frye boots are definitely worth the investment. However, eBay is a great place to check before buying from a department store. I recently bought a gently used pair for around $100!
I’ve been stalking your site for awesome recipes for over a year now and I have yet to make something that wasn’t an absolute hit. Thanks so much!!
Duke is adorable! I vote for Chief Culinary Consultant. Much more interesting than husband!
I’m guessing your husband probably liked being your Chief Culinary Consultant … so if he doesn’t mind, I’d hang onto it – always nice to have a ‘title’. Love your dogs … and yep, I’m a Bobbi Brown fan. You can’t go wrong with the beige/taupe/caramel/mink shades she’s famous for and I adore her pinks. Keep up posted on the puppy!
He is still your CCC, regardless of his ‘title’. We who have followed you for so long know him as CCC! Why change it now? Also, love the photos of your furry babies!!
I too vote for Chief Culinary Consultant. My preferred bacon method is stove-top, but in water at first (just covering) that then boils off – it doesn’t splatter as badly as just a straight skillet and it shrinks less too. I think I learned that method from Cooks Illustrated or ATK somehow. Enjoy your weekend, and good luck with the hand. If you have surgery – make sure you get very good PT afterwards. I have a pinky that doesn’t straighten all the way because we did that part of the PT exercises too late. Thankfully it does still grasp, so no big deal.
well, if ‘husband’ doesn’t make it, can you just refer to him as ccc in the future…chief culinary consultant is sooooo long, and probably a drag to type! lol…..also, try sprinking some brown sugar over the bacon when you bake it…it’s completely awesome!
Vote is for husband!!!!!
Thank you for sharing puctures of Duke, gahhhhh!
Him an Einsteine are adorable!!!!
Love your site. Your dogs are sooooooo cute keep those pictures coming! I like the CCC title instead of “my husband”. In terms of cooking bacon in the oven its easier and less mess but pan fry tastes the best.
I vote for “husband”. If you stick with CCC, though, maybe you can add a pic of you two on your “About” page and explain that you call your husband CCC. If you are mentioning him as CCC, then don’t make him so mysterious!
I always cook bacon in my oven on a pan lined with foil. Easy cleanup and it’s perfectly crispy every time
Because of the nature of your blog, I like CCC (similarly I like how Ree Drummond refers to her husband as Marlboro Man)
Good luck with your hand.
Wish little Duke could remain a puppy. He is so darn cute and happy to hear Einstein is loving his little brother. Our daughter has a golden that I just fell in love with too.
When I first starting following your blog and I wasn’t sure if you were married to your chief culinary consultant or not until after becoming a regular. I like it and nick names show a real connection between the husband and wife. It’s an innate bonding you formed before marriage. Your husband is the one who really should make the call and I would guess he likes CCC.
: – ( about your finger, but love you!
6pm.com has a big sale on Frye boots right now.
1- CCC is great to me but it’s up to you. I like that you gave him a nickname. 2- Bacon in the oven is fantastic. I do it on parchement so as to make cleanup easier. I typically cook 5 pounds and then store them in the freezer to nuke for 10 seconds when needed. 5 pounds fits into quite a small container once cooked.
Chief Culinary Consultant, definitely!!! :)
Love CCC, ppl will catch on :)
My purses that are not Coach are Fossil too
1 – you make me want a golden even more. We had Great Pyrenees/golden mix a few years ago & he was the very best dog. Thank you for always sharing pics of your furry guys.
2 – always cook bacon the oven – less messy & so delicious!
3 – I vote for “my husband”…you’re newlyweds and should be all lovey dovey. You could even alternate between husband & CCC, but enjoy the mushiness :)
Your dogs are the cutest ever! I love to see any animal sleeping, they look so peaceful, content and beautiful!!
Bacon in the oven is the only way I’ll do it, as I hate the grease splatter and mess it makes on the stove top. I have a large non-stick griddle that I use, and I don’t even line it or use a rack. 350 degrees until the desired doneness is achieved. I drain it really well on paper towels and that takes care of the excess grease. (I pour the leftover grease from the griddle into a jar for many uses later. Sinful I know, but it imparts great flavor into many other dishes.)
As far as purses go, I love a Dooney and Bourke. They are beautiful, good quality and offer a huge selection. If you register it, they have a great repair / replace policy if need be.
As far as CCC? No thoughts, your choice:-)
Your puppy is adorable! Culinary Consultant. Love the boots and now know what I will ask for as a birthday gift this year. And I love my Fossil bag.
Once you try bacon in the oven, you’ll never go back! Stick with CCC.
Try bacon on the BBQ…I take a super old cookie sheet (that’s now only used for this purpose) and I put the bacon on the cookie sheet and essentially “fry” it over the BBQ. I’m going to try to line the cookie sheet w/ aluminum foil to see if that makes clean-up easier, but I love that I get the same results as frying on a skillet and I don’t care how much it splatters!
Late to the party but we definitely bake bacon in our house. No splattering oil, no standing over a skillet constantly and you can definitely cook more bacon at a time and it still comes out crispy and delicious. It’s still oily though so you definitely have to put the cooked slices on a sheet of paper towel to remove excess oil.
I only have 1 coach purse, and honestly it isn’t my favorite, especially for the price. I honestly love Jessica Simpson purses (and shoes), and they aren’t too pricey so you could get more than one for the price of 1 Coach or Michael Kors! The more the merrier when it comes to shoes & purses!
Looooove the puppy pics – omgoodness!
Bacon in the oven is supposed to be divine – especially with maple syrup and brown sugar! I’ve always microwaved mine with the vent fan on to pull the smell out of the house – love bacon, hate the smell & greasy feeling on my skin after cooking on the stove!
I vote for husband too! That makes him sound less like an employee and for those who haven’t been following you for while like us will know for sure how important he is in your life! Definitely get a second opinion on that finger!
Oh my gosh, I am so sorry to hear about your finger! My husband had a bad work accident 2 years ago that resulted in many, many stitches and tendon damage. I hope that everything works out for the best.
Also, your puppy is killing me with cuteness.
Chief Culinary Consultant gets my vote also. Even though he is now your husband, he will still be your CCC. Any chance we’ll get to see your wedding photos soon? I love your blog and the stories & pictures of Einstein and Duke are so adorable. Good luck on your second opinion – hope he has better news for you.
bacon in the oven = the way to go. I use this method but also place foil under the parchment and cook for a bit longer (I like my bacon super-crispy). http://www.marthastewart.com/264476/less-mess-bacon
I think you can call him both! Call him CCC when you are talking food – call him your hubby when you are talking about all other things. And I love your sweet sleeping dogs picture! Precious!!!
I agree with this – if you still want to call him CCC (see, even we don’t want to bother typing it out) when he is in that role, then that makes sense. But, when you are talking about going on a trip with him or to a game, or whatever, I think you should refer to him as your husband. But, is his name an option too? Gee, we know you are Michelle, and we know Einstein and Duke, can’t we know your husband’s name? Even Carrie Bradshaw revealed Big’s name when she got married. (Ok, actually before, but when they committed to each other :-)
I think he deserved being elevated to Hubs or some variation.
I vote for his name!! Would be so much more personal :) Dog is adorable!
I vote husband. Not to be rude, but CCC has always been quite odd to me- especially once I figured out he was the person you were dating! Once you got married, I thought, good she’ll refer to him as husband now!
Awww, Duke is still so fuzzy! They are both so cute.
I’m really sorry about your hand.
I vote for “my husband”.
I vote for whatever makes you happy! But I do like chief culinary consultant. And I’ve been baking bacon for years. It’s extra crispy and no mess.
Hi and Happy Friday!!
I vote you call your SO your husband on the blog. CCC is too long to read and grating after a while. The term was confusing to me at first.
I liked Coach purses but have been disappointed in the quality lately. Check out Kate Spade – I absolutely love my new bag.
Oven bacon is the best! I just pop it in a jelly roll pan and let it do its thing. You can even throw it in frozen and after 10 minutes or so, the pieces should be thawed
enough to use tongs to separate and lay flat.
Very sorry to hear your hand is still giving you trouble :(
Duke is such a cutie!!!
I love Frye boots! I just think some boots look weird on me because of my freakishly short legs LOL
My vote goes to Chief Culinary Consultant, it is fun and much more unique than the generic “husband”. I cannot really help with purses as I am my self a big Coach fan… Boots however I always go for Born, they are SUPER comfy, gorgeous, great quality leather and last forever, I have some that are on their 4th season.
Oh my gosh. I am so in love with Duke. I think I’m going to come steal him from you. Also, I think its hilarious and awesome that you call your husband your chief culinary consultant. Also, I have made bacon in the oven, it still gets crispy and is delicious.
Oh, yes to oven bacon. It’s my go-to method now if I need more than 1-2 pieces. The trick is to put it in a cold oven, turn the oven on to 400, and then check it after about 15 minutes. Mine usually needs 22 minutes, which almost coincides with how long my oven takes to reach 400. It’s usually done 2-3 minutes after it reaches full temp, but ymmv. It’s magic!
That puppy is too cute! I think Chief Culinary Consultant is also very cute! I would love to know if you can get bacon crispy in the oven! Thanks for your posts they are always very enjoyable!
you can’t go wrong with a Michael Kors purse — so many styles & colors to choose from! i’ve been wanting to try bacon in the oven too. love the idea of cooking large batches & freezing it. never thought about doing that.
Michelle, First of all, Einstein and Duke are so adorable. Not sure how my 4 year old German Shepherd would adjust to a new puppy. We sometimes make bacon in the oven. Doesn’t turn out as crispy as I like. I prefer frying. Take care Michelle , I always enjoy starting out my day with your blog.
Oh goodness those Duke and Einstein are so precious snuggling together when they are sleeping. I just love that photo.
As for your husband….call him whatever makes you feel comfortable….just don’t call him late for dinner!
Hi, I vote for calling him your husband. That is a title to be proud of and nobody else can call him that except you, he is all yours. Like many others I found it strange to hear about CCC as if it were a classmate or book. Maybe you can use both names but please refer to him as what he is in your life, hopefully “the love of your life”. :-) ♥
Please keep CCC. It’s endlessly amusing and obnoxious at the same time.
1. Love CCC rather than husband
2. Only tried BB gloss and found it too sticky….maybe should give another try?
3. Have cooked bacon in the oven and my only complaint is trying to clean the rack that you cook it on…..a big pain. And if you cook it on foil, you defeat the whole purpose I think.
Have a great weekend!
Hand injuries are a pain…
Hand trouble still… bummer !!!
I cut the tendon of my pinky on my right (main) hand while putting away glasses 2 years ago, had a splint for almost 2 months and I can only say : physical therapy ! My hand was stuck in place, just not moving at all, when I took the splint off but man ! the therapy really helped! It helps you regain strength with movement you would’nt think of doing. Also I had sessions whilst I had the splint on to have the swelling reduced thanks to massages and to stop adhesion of the scar tissue on the tendons…
It is a very French thing maybe, but I guess you can have access to post op services like that this in the US… it might help you without having to go through surgery again !
I vote for CCC! I think it’s unique/quirky :P I guess for people who might be confused who that is, you could say he’s your husband in the FAQ section?
P.S. I’ve been reading your blog since posted Peanut Butter Cup Rice Krispies Treats (which are AWESOME by the way) but don’t think I’ve ever commented…anyway, just wanted to say that your blog makes me really happy :)
CCC is a super title for your husband — it took me a little to figure it out but I think it is a fun reference. Love the Duke/Einstein photos. Please just one wedding photo? Definitely get a second opinion on your hand. Good Luck! Your blog makes my day.
That picture of Duke and Einstein sleeping together MELTS. MY. HEART. So cute!
I vote for CCC. Your loyal followers know who he is!
I’ve always liked the ring of “Chief Culinary Consultant”! I suppose you could throw in a ‘husband’ from time to time, such as, “My husband, the CCC,” etc. I refer to my fellow as the Culinary Enthusiast on my blog, and occasionally call him by his first name. Whatever feels natural!
I vote Chief Culinary Consultant stay, it’s cute and fun and anyone can have a husband, but yours is something more special than just that. But I know it is fun to be able to call him husband, so whatever you think is best for you is what you should go with.
As for Bobbi Brown, I adore her lip products especially. For eye shadows, I am a complete MAC devotee. Their colors are spectacular and the stay on for a long time. For mascara, the best is L’Oreal voluminous false fiber lashes. I swear my eyelashes are longer and fuller since I started using it, it’s amazing. Goes on easy, no clumping, my lashes look natural. Adore.
For purses, I was always a Coach girl too, but then got tired of everyone else having their bags too. I love my Kate Spade purses that I own, you can usually get pretty good deals at either an outlet or sign up for their newsletter. They often have really good sales for newsletter subscribers or facebook followers. The purses are fun, functional and well made.
Check out Roots for bags. I have the Venetian Village Tribe bag and love all of the compartments. It keeps me organized.
http://usa.roots.com/leather/handbags-purses-hobos-shoulder-bags/leatherViewAllWomensBags,default,sc.html?pageSize=1000
My daughter-in-law referred me to your site for the chocolate cupcake with peanut butter frosting recipe. I made a double batch last night to bring to work for my birthday TODAY and they are FABULOUS!!!
We have a nearly 3 yr old Golden names Riley. He has been the best possible gift my husband and I could have ever given ourselves. I look forward to following your posts about your beautiful Goldens!
I’d say stick with CCC – and I recommend Michael Kors bags!
I cook bacon in the oven all the time! I line my baking sheets with foil so it’s less of a mess. Also, if I don’t want to have the bacon cooking in all the fat, I lay the bacon across cookie cooling racks that I sit in the baking sheet. Then you can just throw the baking racks in the dishwasher and throw the foil away.
Your dogs are so cute together!
I am a relatively new reader, and I assumed, until you started posting about your wedding, that Chief Culinary Consultant was your husband. I thought that it was a very clever name with the right hint of endearment. If you don’t believe that other readers will put the two together and figure out that he is you husband, then call him your husband. Otherwise, keep the clever name that makes his role in your kitchen/blog so noteworthy and unique! On the Frye boots, I have a short pair of brown ones that I got at the Zappos outlet south of Louisville, KY. I got them at a deep discount; I had been eyeing them for months and really wanted them. They are very comfortable and sturdy and worth at least what I paid for them. I say that if you cannot take your eye off of them until you try a pair, then you should go for it. If you don’t feel that strongly and just want some comfortable and long lasting boots, then I would suugest that you go online to Country Outfitter. I recently discovered them, and they have the cutest, reliable brand name boots. They have Fryes, but they also have boots that look a lot like Fryes for a lot less. Hope this helped!
Frye boots are amazing. I’ve had a pair of Melissa tall lace up boots that have lasted me 5 years and look even better now than they did when I first got them. Not to mention they’re so comfortable- I hiked the grand canyon in them! Totally worth the price.
Duke is adorable! And Chief Culinary Consultant is more fun and cute sounding. :)
I love your new puppy Duke he is adorable! Makes me want to get a puppy. I vote with CCC as well. My daughter and I are fans of Essie nail polish. My favoritebpurse brand is Louis Vuitton, but beware they are very expensive.
ohmygoshYES to husband! It seems I’m in the minority though.
Good luck with your hand/finger. Surgery with a long recovery seems a little excessive. I hope it all turns out well!
Love that navy nail color. At least if one finger is out of commission for a bit, the other nine will look pretty!
For the boots check out justfab.com, below is the link. Good quality for only
$39.95 or you can pay a tad bit more ($50-60) for the Lux Line ;)
http://www.justfab.com/invite/BeStunning/
I like CCC, however you should maybe elevate that even further. Just a thought.
Puppies sure grow fast, specially golden retrievers! It’s almost like you need to take a daily picture so you don’t miss a thing!
I’d say your “CCC” title is very original, I have not seen anyone else use it, so I’d vote for you to keep it. ;)
The picture of Duke and Einstein is so cute, it just made my heart melt! Now I’d like for my dog to have a brother! Happy Friday!
First, sorry to hear about your hand. I would get a second and third opinion before a surgery decision…there are never any guarentees…stuff can happen… so you want to be as informed as possible.
I love the Duke/Einstein updates. I think you should post a new picture of Duke each Friday next to the one from the prior week so we can all follow his growth progress…just a selfish suggestion as I have severe puppy envy.
Your puppies are adorable! I love how you now have a buddy for Einstein . As for your hand, most definitely get a second and maybe a third opinion . Check with friends for recommendations. There are too many doctors eager too cut. Just saying, better safe than sorry.
I vote for husband. He has earned that title, it’s shorter and less confusing. When I first started reading your blog I though the CCC was your assistant, than I thought there was a little but “more” than that, then I thought you were having a fling with your kitchen assistant and were a lesbian (not that there;s anything worng with that). Just feel husband would be less confusing to newbies to your blog…..
“I thought you were having a fling with your kitchen assistant and were a lesbian”
WTF.
I vote to call him your hubs! Duke is such a cutie – love those golden retrievers! I cook bacon in the oven more often than not – I place the bacon on a cooling rack that’s placed on top of a cookie sheet at 400 degrees for 15-20 minutes. Comes out nice and crispy!
I love oven bacon! If you love bacon at buffets or brunches, you will love oven bacon as many restaurants lay bacon out on sheet pans and bake it. And when it’s done you can lay it out on paper towels and then easily drain the grease from the pan. PS – Your dogs are gorgeous!
Your puppy is so….cute! I make bacon in the oven all the time! Parchment paper lined baking pan and its easy cleanup whether you save the grease or toss it! Cooks evenly, no turning and a lot quicker than in a skillet. I am impatient when I smell bacon cooking so quick is awesome!
Definitely Chief Culinary Consultant. Just like I call my husband, who takes care of so much of our cooking, cleaning and other chores, my Domestic Engineer! ;)
1. Oh those pups are adorable!
2. My vote is to continue the CCC title!
3. Bacon in the oven is the only way to go for me, but I love the idea of twisting them first. Thanks to whoever posted that tip!
4. I’m in a Coach purse rut and am liking all the suggestions.
I like Chief Culinary Consultant, or CCC. Gives him bit of prestige!
I cook my bacon in the oven all the time. I do several pounds at a time in batches. I line 2 of my large cookie sheets with parchment paper and bake both sheets at once on the 2 racks in my oven. I turn on the timer for 25 minutes and then switch the trays on the racks for another 20-25 mins. I reuse the greasy parchment lined sheets, which allows each additional batch to cook in the previous batches grease which speeds up the process for each batch, so you’ll have to check on them more often. Once cooked and cooled, I reline my cleaned cookie sheets with clean parchment and lay the cooked bacon on them in layers (parchment between layers) and stick it in the freezer. Once frozen, I bag the bacon in Ziploc bags and can easily grab as many pieces as I need, ie: 3 for a toasted bacon and tomato sandwich. Just pop it in the microwave for a few seconds on a paper towel lined plate and voila! This works great for camping too! No fuss, no muss!
I think bacon in the oven is the way to go! I usually use a Pampered Chef stone to cook it. I think we have grown to like chief culinary consultant! I hope you have a speedy recovery if you have to have surgery!!
I like cooking bacon in the oven. I do the whole package and freeze what I do not need to use right away. I just take out what I need and microwave for about a minute. Helps since I am cooking just for myself and only smell up the house once.
I purchased a pair of Frye Jane boots a few years back in an antique brown and I love them! They take awhile to break in, so be prepared for that, but long lasting they are! I lotion mine about once a year and then polish them too (all with Frye products!). Good luck in your quest. They can be hefty on the pocketbook, but are SO worth it. I haven’t had to purchase another pair of boots in years.
And that Duke is adorable! I’m glad to hear he and Einstein are getting along nicely. That’s great!
Enjoy the weekend!
Bacon in the oven is the only way to go. The key is putting it in a cold oven. I pretty much do it the same way as Emily, us ‘burgers must stick together.
Frye boots are amazing. I have 2 pairs. Paige Tall Riding in grey and Lindsey Plate in Burnt Red. Love them both. The Paige I got at Macy’s during one of their F&F sales.
As for purses, love Marc by Marc Jacobs, Kate Spade, and Banana Republic.
Love the doggie love!
I vote for CCC! It’s too cute. I frequently refer to my boyfriend my “#1 taste tester”, though, so I might be biased towards endearing nicknames. However, I mostly commented to tell you to make some oven bacon, like, yesterday. I grew up eating microwaved bacon exclusively (I know…) so that might damage my credibility a bit, but not only is it so much cleaner and easier than stovetop bacon, it tastes so, so good. You can even line the tray with foil for extra easy clean-up. Like any bacon method, though, you do have to keep an eye on it or you can go a little too far. Plus, Ina Garten does it that way, so it must be good! Also, thank you for sharing pictures of Duke and Einstein–I’m a little obsessed with dogs and they are such handsome boys!
Your husband should be called you husband! As for bacon in the oven, no other way. Line your cookie sheet with foil, then with a piece of parchment. Lay your bacon out, close together because it will shrink. High temp oven , I turn mine once half way through. The best part is the clean up – awesome!
I like CCC…it’s cute but respectful, as opposed to some of the references by other bloggers…Wendy’s suggestion of CCA is a good one as well.
Love Bobbi Brown’s lip gloss in tangerine.
1) I vote for “husband”
2) Yes you will love you Frye boots and wear them forever and ever.
3) The picture of the two pups sleeping is the most adorable thing!
That last picture of the dogs sleeping together is so cute! I love Bobbi Brown makeup – I’ve used it for years. They always have the perfect colors for a neutral, polished look. I especially like her matte shadows
I love your Friday Things! I also love CCC. Duke is sooo cute and the picture of him with Einstein is adorable! Ackkkk I feel the need for another puppy! I already have three doogs, my husband would kill me! So sorry to hear about your hand what a bummer, been there done that, just do what they need you to get where you need to be. You may want to see if there is an OT (vs a PT) that specializes in hand therapy in your area. They did wonders for me. Love the nail colors but what is make-up? My son reminded me about the bacon in the oven trick (my mom would do it this way when we had a crowd before microwaves where invented). Have a great weekend full of puppy fun!
Congrats on your wedding! and your new pup- he is breathtakingly cute!! My vote is call your husband your husband :) Love your site- it’s my first go-to when looking for a recipe and you never disappoint!
We cook our bacon on the BBQ. Use an old cookie sheets lined with foil. No smell or mess in the house at all! We also use the thick cut bacon. It comes out flat and perfectly cooked.
I say call your hubby whatever strikes your fancy. Some days he may be the CCC somedays just hubby :). Your little puppy is adorable! But then both your dogs are. :) I am a dog lover! I have a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Freckles who thinks he is a human. His birthday is Oct. 17th and he will be 9. He hasn’t slowed down yet, and he is so lovable, he loves to get hugs when I get home from work and he loves to snuggle in bed at night. And he is wonderful with my little grandchildren! I recently found a great line of makeup from Mally. I’m not sure where else you can buy it except for QVC. For years I have been putting up with eyeshadow that creases by mid-day and fades so much by 3pm there’s only a trace of my eyeshadow left, I look like I don’t care about my appearance and don’t like to give that impression. Mally claims her makeup is “bulletproof” and it really is!! I put on her eyeshadow at 6am and come home at 6pm and no creases, nothing!!! My eyes look fabulous all day long and my eyeshadow is still going strong!! I also love her mascara! I went to the MAC counter at Nordstrom’s to experiment in trying false eyelashes for special occasions. I got so many compliments from the cosmetologists behind the counter, they wanted to know what mascara I was using. They didn’t think I needed false eyelashes, long story short, I tried the lashes and was not happy. They just looked fake. BTW, Mally has eyeshadow in shades that are not sparkly. Since I am now 55, I don’t like the sparkles in my eyeshadow, they tend to draw attention to small wrinkles around the eyes and the matte colors are so much more pleasing and natural looking. It’s very hard to find a matte eyeshadow anymore in the store. As for foundation, I started using Tarte amazonian clay full coverage foundation. I love it! It’s good for your skin, and it doesn’t smell like chemicals like the MAC does and the coverage lasts me all day, even in the hot, humid days of summer. Ok, purses, I am a HUGE Kate Spade fan. I love everything Kate Spade!! I love the bows, stripes, colors and shapes she uses in her purses, wallets, etc. I have a hard time buying any other line. I had my eye on a Michael Kors bag recently when I was shopping for a crossbody bag but decided to wander over to the Kate Spade bags before I made my final decision and saw the most adorable black leather crossbody with a bow on the front and I was in love. I’ve never tried the Frye boots but have also been shopping for a pair of black boots this year, I’ve seen the Frye boots and they are a bit pricey but I would imagine they would give you several years of wear, Frye boots have been around forever. I just haven’t seen anything yet that knocks my socks off so until I do, I’ll keep looking. I love to read your blogs and the comments other readers post. Please post a picture of your boots, maybe I’ll go with those also!! :) And please post your method for baking bacon. I’ve seen Ina Garten do it and she swears by it. Have a wonderful weekend and HAPPY BAKING!!!!!!!
I love making bacon in the oven! We line a jelly roll pan with parchment paper, put it in the cold oven at around 425 and let it crisp up. I’ve found that it doesn’t shrivel up nearly as much, tastes so crispy, and I don’t burn myself with grease splatters! Clean up goes pretty quick – we let the pan sit for awhile and then just peel the parchment paper directly into the trash barrel.
Also – I love Chief Culinary Consultant as a reference point. I don’t think I ever realized y’all weren’t married until you talked about your wedding. I think it’s a great way to refer to your husband.
Please call him your husband. The term Chief Culinary Consultant has always grated on my nerves. Duke is adorable, he makes feel like I need another puppy in my life STAT!
The new pup’s so cute!
As for bacon, I always make it in the oven, just make sure you lie them totally flat and not touching. You may want to flip em halfway through. Cook at around 400.
For boots, go to Aldo! I got my brown leather boots there two years ago, and they’re still in great shape. Under a hundred bucks too!
I vote for “husband”, he’s earned the title;) OR CCC/hubs! I feel like writing out Chief Culinary Consultant is kind of daunting, but I don’t have to do it, so if it doesn’t bother you then feel free to continue;)
Duke…. LOVVVVVVVVVVVVVVE!!!
Boots… LOVVVVVVVVVVE!
Purse…. I like Fossil… it’s a nice fun kind of sporty look. It looks nice with boots cuz some of them are rugged.
I want to give you props on your blog!! My goto used to be Our Best Bites, but since they have put out a calendar and I think a book they have been lacking imo. I LOVE that you are consistent and put out great recipes daily! Don’t get lost in the fame, and I also like that you don’t put pics of EVERY step… I mean I think we know what an egg in a bowl looks like… thanks for the credit;) I think you are doing an amazing job the way you are running your blog. Also, congrats on the marriage!!! And the house!!! And the puppy!! big year;) Bummer on the hand, but it appears to be fixable… small down time, but then you hopefully will be good to go! Maybe you can get the hubs in the kitchen to help, with your constant supervision of course;)
Thanks for being you…. keep it up!!
Angela from http://www.sweetfromscratch.com
Marc by Marc Jacobs has some great purses. A little more expensive than coach, but very sleek, simple and versatile. I got mine for Christmas two years ago and it still looks as good as new. I vote for Chief Culinary Consultant–very creative :)
I would definitely go with husband. When I first started reading your blog I thought you were taking cooking lessons and was surprised at how close you were with your teacher. :P Even if you don’t change it to “husband” I’d change it to something more clear.
1. Chief Culinary Consultant has my vote. Lots of people have husbands, but how many have a CCC?
2. Love Bobbie Brown.
3. Try Tignanello purses – great quality, not inexpensive but less than Coach for sure. I also like my Fossils.
4. Bacon in the oven rocks! Cooks Illustrated’s method is good, except I use parchment paper. Foil is probably easier cleanup but a one time use like that seems wasteful to me (yes, I reuse my foil until it has pin holes in it!). Also, in Arizona, we use the grill a lot to keep the heat out of the kitchen. I’ve used the same method on the grill and it works great.
5. Sucks about your finger! Definitely do the 2nd opinion but if it’s the same, don’t be afraid. My neighbor impaled (yes, impaled) her hand on a garden rake last spring, did the physical therapy all summer and still was not doing well (limited movement being the biggest issue). Last week she had surgery to remove the scar tissue. Stiches are still in and her hand is in a pressure bandage, but now she has full movement! It’s amazing how much better her hand is in just 1 week! But whatever you decide, we’re ALL sending best wishes your way for a full recovery!
oh my god these puppy pictures are KILLING me! i lost my golden retriever 2 months ago and her baby brother – a golden doodle – is longing for a new companion. i don’t know if i’m up for the puppy thing all over again, but these photos are nudging me to take the plunge!
Even though your boyfriend has lovingly become your husband, he will always fondly be your CCC. Keep that title, as he has earned it as your most trusted opinion when it comes to taste tests! Congratulations on your marriage!
I vote ‘husband’. I have Frye boots and they are long lasting but I have to admit, not the most comfortable. I can’t wear them all day and night. Too stiff…bacon in the over is great, but you have to think ahead (preheat, etc…). But very crisp and delicious without the mess
Sooooo sorry about your hand!!
Congrats on your wedding! I would prefer “my husband”.
Bacon in the oven -works well. I put it on a grill tray over top of a sheet pan to catch the grease. And I usually put parchment down on the sheet pan to make it easier to throw away all the grease once it has cooled.
1. You puppy is ADORABLE! I have major puppy fever right now, and all the cuteness happening on your blog is not helping my husband’s argument to “wait until we get a dog.” :)
2. I bake my bacon in the oven and I’ll never go back. Fit as many as you can on a baking sheet covered in parchment paper and put into a COLD oven. Set the oven to bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes. Depending on the thickness of the bacon, you can go a little more or less time. I like my bacon crispy but not burnt, and if you want perfect flat crispy bacon to go on sandwiches or burgers, than this is how you get it! Looking forward to see how you master baking your bacon.
3. Have you ever heard of Thirty-One? It’s a purse/organizational bag company based out of Ohio that is sold specifically through independent consultants (like Mary Kay, Pampered Chef, etc.). I love them because their bags are affordable and they last a LONG time. They have several new fall purses that just came out as well as…wait for it….PANTRY organization! They even have an insulated bag that can hold two 9×13 pans, which is definitely going on my wish list. I love them so much that I became a consultant. If you want to check them out, my website is http://www.mythirtyone.com/etedrow. The catalog and my e-mail are on the site if you want to get in touch. :)
4. I’m so sorry about your hand! Praying that second opinion will be much better news.
5. I like “Chief Culinary Consultant,” but when I was a newlywed I wanted to call him “husband” ALL the time because it was FUN! So, do whatever you like. I’m sure you’ll still have a massive amount of readers no matter what his name is. :)
Keep the CCC. I have made bacon in the oven once. It was good and crispy when we ate it, but the leftovers seemed limp instead of holding their crisp. I may have to try again. I love Fossil purses and Kate Spade if you’re not as casual.
Love your website, recipes and posts. Duke is adorable and vote to call your husband , “your husband!” Often fry bacon in the oven. Lay it in a rack, on a large jelly roll pan that is lined with parchment. Gets crispy as the grease falls through the rack and cleanup is easy with the parchment. 400 degree oven for 15-20 minutes!
OMG!! I can’t believe how sweet your little puppy is! Just makes me want to rush out and get one….and then I remember how much work they can be as well. My sister is a German Shepard fan and got a puppy a few months ago. He is just the sweetest thing but lots of work. By the way, your husband may be your husband but to us he’s your CCC. Well, here in South Africa summer is arriving and I’m loving it. Time to crank out my ice-cream maker and get the freezer full of some divine flavours. Hopefully you’ll be posting lots more recipes as your ice-cream recipes are my favourites!
I enjoy your posts. Thank you for sharing your life with us.
I believe that once someone important to us assumes a position in sonething that you find important, they always have that position. Congrats on your wedding.
I have been cooking bacon in the oven for some time now. I like that the cleanup is as simple as taking off the foil and washing the pan. To me it comes out evenly cooked when placed in the oven.
Perhaps you could give him a promotion to Chief Culinary Advisor.
Bacon in the oven is the only way to go. Turn oven on 400 degrees – don’t preheat just put the bacon in the oven on a cookie sheet and bake for about 20 minutes. I usually turn about halfway through. So much easier!
Get that second opinion!! Kate Spade is my favorite purse brand. Classic pieces and whimsical pieces, plus there are always great sales (sign up for the emails). Yes, Frye boots are worth it! With shoe polish and a little extra attention, they’ll last for years and years. Regarding bacon, cooking it in the oven is my preferred method. Even cooking, not as much mess (I line the baking sheet with foil below the rack), and you can save the bacon fat for cooking eggs or something else. Plus, I like brushing mine with pure maple syrup and sprinkling with black pepper near the end of cooking for extra flava! Finally, did you see the Malkin interview from Pens media day yesterday? Ah-maz-ing! :) Happy Friday!
Love the pics of your dogs ( so does my on), but when will we
get to see any wedding photos??!!!!
Bobbi Brown gel eyeliner is the best.
Have you checked out Tori Burch purses? I’m
in love, but haven’t splurged yet.
CCC. For a long time I wasn’t sure if you CCC was your guy or you pooch. LOL
I’m a big fan of cooking bacon in the oven. I’m not a fan of the mess that frying bacon makes, plus it doesn’t have to be supervised as much as pan frying.
Can’t speak to the make-up, polish, or boots.
So sorry about your dr.’s report that sticks!
Have a great weekend. :)
I love that you call your husband your Chef Culinary Consultant!!! I think it’s adorable. And Duke is the perfect addition :) what a handsome little bub.
Frye boots are worth the price, super comfortable annd long lasting. I also have a pair of Michael Kors which I love just as much, and less in price.
I love the title of CCC (although it did take me a while to figure out that he was your partner), but husband works too! Must be fun getting to say that now. :)
I have OPI “Russian Navy” which is similar to the dark blue you’ve bought. I find it works with everything – seriously. Just make sure that your nails aren’t too long with such a dark colour.
I vote for calling your recently-promoted CCC whatever you feel comfortable with! :)
Your poor hand! Surgery would certainly limit your baking ability. Hopefully you can avoid it!
I don’t have any Frye boots, but my hubby is a boot connoisseur and loves the pair he has. I definitely think they’d last you more than a few seasons, especially if you’re not wearing them every day.
I have 2 pairs of Frye shoes and L O V E them but don’t know about their boots specifically. All of their products are handmade in the US I believe – it’s great to support your economy – and they will last forever. Frye was my first stop on my left trip to NY so I could treat myself to a new pair of shoes.
I vote for CCC – it’s sweet and endearing.
Nail polish doesn’t really have to match anymore, and blue black falls into the neutral category so goes with anything.
Good luck with your finger. Sounds like an awful ordeal. Mine are crossed that it all works out.
I think you should stick with “CCC”. Essie nail polish cannot be beat. Unless I’m dressing for a special occasion in the very near future, I never worry about what my nail color goes with. Instead, I usually pick a color based on the season and my mood. as for purses, I’m a big fan of Fossil. They can be pricey but they come in so many colors and styles and are quality products. And if you’re fortunate enough to have a Fossil outlet near you, you can get some pretty awesome deals.
I like “hubby” x
thank you for all the amazing recipes.
Love you stax
If you twist each bacon slice up like a cork screw before baking it will get nice and cripsy! It just won’t be flat, if that’s important to you. I’m a HUGE fan of oven cooked bacon.
I agree with the others to keep your husbands’ title as the Chief Culinary Consultant, Makes him sound important. :)
Absolutely love the picture of the Goldens sleeping together. I have one as well and out of all the dogs I’ve had (even raised collies for the ranchers) they are by far the smartest.
As for cooking bacon, I too have done it in the microwave, but also do it on my Geo Forman Grill and you don’t have it soaking in grease doing it this way.
TOO CUTE THE PUPPIES….TRY LUCKY BRAND FOR BOOTS THEY ARE WONDERFUL QUALITY. I THINK YOU SHOULD REFER TO HIM AS HUSBAND, YES BACON IN OVEN IS WONDERFUL AND CRISP
Michelle! What adorable-ness you have going on at your house! Stick with the “CCC”- it’s just how we’ve all come to know him, lol. I’ve heard that Frye boots are amazing but, I’m with you on the price hurdle. Burberry purses are classic, and last forever. I’ve had mine for 5 years now, and is holding up just as well as the day I bought it! I like the Michael Kors line, too, if you’re looking for something a little more modern. OH! Oven bacon is the only way I make it now. I take some foil, crinkle it up, and then lay it on a sheet pan. It catches the bacon grease in all those little folds, and is the easiest clean-up on the planet!
Thanks for always having amazing food to share!
I imagine typeing “my chief culinary ….” is a lot. My husband is much shorter. I love OTHER people’s puppies….:)
I love Kate Spade purses. Tons of styles and sizes and their website is fantastic. They also have amazing sales and you can sign up for e mail notifications for them. I plan to check out Michael Kors bags after reading these comments. LOVE your blog!! Happy shopping!
Is physical therapy an option? I had a large biopsy on my chest leaving me with lots of pain and little arm movement, I tried thereby befor going under the knife again. Worked great, so glad I tried it first! Good luck.
I say keep using CCC! Bacon in the oven is the way to go. I have a large griddle pan that I can cook the whole pack of bacon on at once and I use the Convection setting on my oven, set at 425 deg F. It only needs to cook for about 15 minutes and it turns out crispy and beautiful! Frye Boots….they are everything good you’ve heard! I’ve had a pair of Bronze Harness boots for 8 years now and they still look great. They seem to always run 1/2 size big and they do stretch out so if you get your correct size, after they stretch, they will be too loose. But I highly recommend them and I have had my eye on a pair since last year that retail for $398! One of these days…..Are you a member of the Coach Factory Outlet? You can sign up at http://www.coachfactory.com. I just bought my first Coach bag, but have friends who love Dooney & Bourke and also Michael Kors. Good Luck! Your dogs are the cutest!!!
I still like CCC–that’s who he is to all your readers.
Your pups are adorable.
I LOVE my Frye boots! I have the Melissa Button in cognac. My husband gave them to me for my birthday last year and I wore them a lot in the fall, winter and really early spring. I refuse to wear them out in the slushy, wet and snowy weather. I don’t want to ruin the leather. I have more appropriate boots for that weather.
I have a bunch of Cole Haan purses and they are awesome!
Those pups are TOO cute! Melts my heart this morning.
Adorable picture of the two of them together!
I vote you continue with C.C.C.
I also have not gone back to skillet bacon since trying the oven version. The clean up is so easy.
Good luck with the hand, and potential surgery. I went through an injury and subsequent surgery about this time last year.
Duke is adorable!!! Love to bake bacon in the oven. Lay bacon out on a sheet pan (covered in foil or parchment) and place in a COLD oven. Set oven temperature to 500 degrees, bake for about 15 minutes or until your desired doneness. Found this to be the best oven-roasting for bacon I’ve tried.
1. Chief Culinary Consultant gets my vote.
2. Bacon in the oven is GOOD, and much less messy.
3. Try Tignanello purses, good quality and so many of them have the outside slip pockets which I love, for keys, phone, etc.
I concur! I LOVE Tignanello purses!
Let me start by saying Duke is absolutely adorable!! Second I think calling your husband your chief culinary consultant is a perfect title… My hubby is the same I consider him the chief of a lot .. When the lawn needs mowing he is the lawn chief when something breaks he is the chief engineer !!
Now on to the bacon… I started cooking it in the oven years ago and haven’t looked at a skillet for the job since!! It cooks up nice and crispy, less mess in my opinion perfect. I would suggest first trying place bacon on a cooling rack placed on a baking sheet… I don’t always do that but works well!!
Hope all goes well with your hand! Sorry that stinks!!
I had almost always gone to Fossil for purses, love the sleekness and not too bulky purse (don’t feel like carrying a suitcase or backpack-like tote, rather like the smaller/slimmer look). However … :) just discovered Baggolini in the last 6 months ?. LOVE them too! I refuse to pay such high prices on purses, even though I would love to get a Coach sometime, but really liking Baggolini and Fossil.
So sorry to hear about your hand, def get a second or third opinion.
I’m kind of old-fashioned, like the term husband. It took me a few reads too to know who CCC was :)
Love the pics of the furry four legged family members … So adorable!
Huge Fossil fan, the leather last what seems like forever and I am in construction and really tough on things!
Please get a second opinion and get as much PT as they will allow, Speaking from personal experience. It is what will get you back to 100%
Another vote for CCC, husband is your personal lfe and CCC is your business life and when you refer to him in business he has his title.
A single wedding picture please ? Our best wishes for continued happoness, health and love.
S
I think the way to go is to ask him if he prefers CCC or husband. Sort of like asking someone if the prefer their formal name or a nickname. Always nice to choose how the world recognizes us, IMO
Bacon in the oven has been my MO for about 12 years now. Actually do sausage that way sometimes as well. I line my pan with foil for easy cleaning and put the bacon directly on that. The second side cooks in some rendered fat so it’s similar to pan fry with less mess all around. And you can certainly drain and use the fat from the pan should you need it.
Hi Robby, I actually did ask him… he suggested polling my readers :)
Bacon in oven is the best! Line pan with foil, top with bacon and bake at 400 for about 20 min. After removing bacon and letting it cool fold up the foil and pitch–no muss, no fuss! Bacon stays a flat strip, not a curled up mess.
CCC–he still is!
Sorry about your hand. :(
I vote for CCC. Love your blog. Wish you the best.
Love my Frye boots and think they totally justify the price. I do second the comment about them being slippery in snow. Mine aren’t too scuffed on the bottom and I slip when there is a bit of snow/ice on the sidewalk. Love to hear what long-term Frye owners say, and/or, what other options you come up with!
LOVE the dogs. I want them :) bacon in the oven is the only way to make it. Bobbi Brown gel eye liner is the best eyeliner out there! I but the bullet and bought 2 pairs of Frye boots last year and never looked back….can’t wait to break them out. Love Michael Kors bags, check out Tano’s too. Cool slouchy and lightweight.
Looks like I’m in the minority but I vote for husband! CCC is so unwieldy.
My opinion is you should start calling him your husband. I think it is confusing to readers to refer to him as CCC when the relationship is more than that.
I have broiled my bacon since day one – that’s always how my father did it (he cooked us Sunday breakfast). It’s still messy. I just recently learned that you should leave your rack in the middle of the oven when broiling because it cooks more evenly – and it’s true! I love bacon cooked this way and only resort to precooked or microwave when being lazy.
When I was first dating my boyfriend who would be my husband, he bought me Frye boots. I loved them and wore them until they were no longer in style, then had them in the closet for years before I donated them. Kicking myself now for that – I imagine the woman who found them at the thrift shop, what a find! But, my foot has grown and my calves were always big, so they wouldn’t have fit anyway. Even though they are supposed to be timeless, mine did get dated – they’d be back in style now, but it took 2 decades.
Thumbs up for CCC. What would Bert be without Ernie, or Batman without Robin?? I can honestly say yours is the ONLY blog I follow daily. In fact when I share things with the hubby and kids the tease me that I talk about you like we are best friends. Your Italian background, cooking style and love of Goldens is very similar to mine so I can totally relate. I am so loving the baby pics!! I also have 2 Goldens (had 3 but our girl passed last year) they add so much life to your family! Enjoy the fall shopping! Never ever hurts to get a 2nd opinion before someone wants to hack away at you! Have a Wonderful weekend!!
Stick with CCC
Oven-baked bacon is great, but if you use a rack, it never really gets crispy enough. It has to really fry in its own grease to get crispy. Just lay it in a rimmed baking pan and pop it in the oven. (Since I discovered it, I use the microwave almost exclusively to make bacon – a triple layer of paper towel above and below completely contains any grease.)
Yes! Bacon in the oven is the way to go! I started that in the past couple of years and I think it makes a difference for a couple of reasons. 1. Easier to cook a lot of bacon (For a crowd or for just you.. no judging!). 2. It gets crispier, doesn’t sit in the grease and stays flatter. 3. No standing over a hot stove! 4. Plus you have the stove top and your hands free for other important things… pancakes! Finally, you can add some rubs/sugars/spices to the bacon when it’s not cooking in the grease. Ok, that’s it.. probably more than you wanted to know :)
I bought a pair of Fryes at the Nordstrom anniversary sale a few years ago (they were still $$) and I am still obsessed with them. They hold up amazingly well. Worth it!
I love that you call him your CCC. And he still holds that role, right?
I only cook bacon in the oven now. It’s easier to clean up (line the pan with foil or parchment), plus I think it’s easier to control the done-ness of it.
Call him your husband. I read your blog for 2+ yrs and thought the CCC was like…some rep you knew at Betty Crocker or something. It took me awhile to figure out it was your boyf/fiancee. But call him whatever flows and works for you! People do figure it out :)
Your hand. Omg so sorry to hear that! Yes to second opinions!
And the Frye boots. Everyone who I know with them, loves them. Too hot here to wear boots like that but I would not shy away from dropping money on them if you love them. I have spent almost that on a piece of old wood to take pictures on. Yeah, crazy :)
CCC-that’s the best! the only way to cook bacon is in the oven!
Check out Michael Kors! I absolutely love his handbags.
First of all, love your blog and have thoroughly enjoyed the recipes I’ve tried! Made salted caramel choc chip bars last night and can’t wait to try one (for breakfast?!?!)
I started making bacon in the oven about 6 months ago and am a huge fan!! I recommend putting aluminum foil on the pan and taking the bacon off the pan and placing on paper towels ASAP when it’s done.
After 5 years why start calling chief culinary consultant husband? CIC is an important role!!
Love Bobbi Brown and used it forever. The tinted balm has been a life-saver for me in the winter. My skin is dry and even the mild winters of NC cause my skin to dry up. I’ve started using Bare Minerals and never thought I’d leave Bobbi but so far, I’m loving the Bare Minerals experience.
I love the look of the dark blue/black polish. Can an almost 48-year old wear it? And can’t wait to read the comments to you on how to wear it.
I rarely read blogs – go straight for the recipe – but really enjoy reading yours!
Have a great day.
I think you should adopt the change and call him your ‘husband’, it celebrates the commitment you have given to each other, any other day you would refer to him as your husband, why not on your blog, by the way your dogs are majorly cute!
CCC is the name we know him by..any pictures of him? Just wondering. Bacon in the oven works well ..seems to take a long time though. Wonderful purses are made in Pittsburg
http://www.littlearthshop.com/
They even have Penguin purses. I have had one of their purses for years and get major comments on it. Not really dress-up but very fun.
Long-time follower, first time commenter.
1. LOVE your site. LOVE you.
2. I’m a ‘Burger too so I appreciate Friday’s for your Pittsburgh-related “things.”
3. Re: oven-cooked bacon. It is a no-go for crispy, breakfast bacon that is to be slathered in egg yolks. However, I bake my bacon for everything else. It seems to work well for cooking bacon ahead for use in recipes. I under-cook it just a bit, freeze it, and then when you need a few slices for something, you can reheat in a pan with WAY less mess.
I am sorry to read that you may need surgery on your hand. From what I read looks like you may be having the same surgery I had on my right hand back in 2010 to repair 3 fingers. I wish I had never went through with the surgery, for a couple of reasons. So I strongly suggest you get a 2nd or even a 3rd opinion and leave the surgery as your very, very last option. If having the surgery is a must. Be prepared not to cook for awhile. I wish you the best and congrats to you and your Chief Culinary Consultant. I say stick with that title, now that your married its sounds so much sweeter.
So glad to see that Einstein is accepting the new guy! Thanks for the heads-up on the new Essie colors!
I think you should stick with CCC since he still is that! I got married last year and it’s great calling someone “my husband”, but on this blog I’d still say he’s your CCC.
About the nice boots: do they have any texture at all underneath? Looks like you’d risk falling fall at the first hint of snow/ice/water on a tiled floor..
I must be honest I think you should call him your husband or “your husband formerly known as CCC”!
Gorgeous puppies!
I am such a Golden Retriever fan and that last pic of Einstein is too cute! If your finger/hand drama prevents some baking time you can just keep the pics of those two coming ;)
I say stick with Chief Culinary Consultant, even thought it’s a little longer to type than “my husband”.
I also think you should try a different brand bag.. maybe Michael Kors?
Love Michael Kors bags!
I say stick with Chief Culinary Consultant! Your pups are adorable.
oh my goodness what cuteness do i see!!!!!!! i am in loveeee with your puppy – he is a ball of softness! also my favourite brand of purses is furla – an italian brand :) have a great weekend!
Duke is adorable, and the picture of he and Einstein is priceless. Looks like they’re getting along – happy days!. Have baked bacon in the oven for 15 years – can’t beat how flat and crispy it becomes. Have my eyes on a Caphalon griddle with a removable wire rack – perfect not only for baking bacon, but draining fried chicken, fish, etc, after frying. And the regular grill for pancakes, grilled cheese, french toast, polenta, etc. was exciting to me. I’m getting two for Christmas when I fry three chickens for dinner. I think, the perfect multi-purpose grill pan. Frye boots have an incredible reputation – although i’ve never owned a pair, my thighs are too wide, lots of my hippie-60’s friends did and swore by the brand. I’ve become fond of SAK purses – lots of styles, wide price range, and just very cute. They make a two-fold crocheted wallet with zipper bags on the inside that I’ve got on my wish list. As far a nail polish goes, i’m growing weary of getting gel for my fingernails, but unable to find matching reg polish for my toes – alas . . .
Chief Culinary Consultant, would we know you by another name, and, more importantly, would you lose your credibility and status? I mean, we would read and wonder “Who on the Earth is Earl??” Perhaps a photo would be nice – somewhere sleeping between Duke and Einstein.
Congratulations on your marriage and recent family addition. Best wishes for your happy and successful future.
More Duke pictures, please!!
Chief culinary consultant sounds a bit juvenile when used all the time. Maybe some mix of the two. Your dogs are adorable
Awww Duke is so cute! I’d say keep Chief Culinary Consultant, bacon in the oven is awesome! And for purses, check out Fossil. I’m a big Coach fan too but I like Fossil purses just as much
Keep it Chief Culinary Consultant – don’t fix what ain’t broke! :)
Bacon in the oven is awesome! Especially when making a bunch – put some foil underneath a baking rack on a cookie sheet and bake away! Then just roll up the foil and toss it when you’re done – voila! No fuss!
The pups are way too cute!
Chief Culinary Consultant is my vote. Bacon is the bomb in the oven! We make regular and turkey bacon on a sheet of foil in our oven every weekend. Will never go back to pan frying!
Awwww I want to take Duke home with me! So freaking cute! Sorry to hear about your hand issues – hope everything works out!
I vote for chief culinary consultant.
And your dogs are so cute together!
Even though he’s now your husband, he’ll still be your Chief Culinary Consultant so I would vote to stay the same especially when you’re talking about food. On other mattters it would seem reasonable to refer to him as your husband.
Oh, Duke is so cute! We will have our first ever puppy home in 2 weeks time!
If you want to check some serious bacon baking in the oven I recommend that you check out Epic Meal Time videos on YouTube. If anything those guys can really make delicious looking bacon in the oven. My son loves them and shares their new extravaganzas with the whole family once in a while.