Friday Things
1. Did you watch the Super Bowl on Sunday? Who were you rooting for? As a sports fan who was pretty ambivalent about who won, ugh, the game itself was pretty boring. A blowout totally zapped my interest by halftime. However, all is not lost when you can consider plate after plate of chips and salsa, sun-dried tomato dip, and queso your dinner, then follow it up with birthday cake. (I tried a new yellow cake recipe, but wasn’t blown away by it, bummer!)
2. Let’s talk halftime show. I really liked it! I’m a fan of Bruno Mars’ music, and I was definitely a Red Hot Chili Peppers fan back in the day (although seeing them made me feel old – I was in middle school when their music took off!), so no complaints from me. On a related note, I watched the Super Bowl with my Chief Culinary Consultant and father-in-law. We filled out some prop bets for fun and bragging rights, and one of them was (yes or no) – any Red Hot Chili Peppers shirtless? My husband and I naturally checked “yes” (and won), my father-in-law checked “no” and thought it was a weird question. Once they came out and he saw them, he said he should have figured if that was even a question the answer would have been yes ;-)
3. Finally, commercials! I was pretty disappointed in general with the Super Bowl commercials; did anyone else think they were fairly lame this year? There were a few that I liked; my favorites were:
Radio Shack: “In With the New” – Everything that was awesome about growing up in the 80’s was in this commercial!
http://youtu.be/oUwwZHdx6SU
Budweiser: “A Hero’s Welcome”
http://youtu.be/K7L5QByvXOQ
Chrysler: Bob Dylan
http://youtu.be/KlSn8Isv-3M
Budweiser: Puppy Love – Because, of course it would be one of my favorites!!
http://youtu.be/uQB7QRyF4p4
4. My Chief Culinary Consultant and I are heading to Florida this coming week for a quick, rather sad trip. His grandfather passed away a couple of weeks ago, and the memorial service is being held next weekend. He was able to travel up here to Pittsburgh in September after my Chief Culinary Consultant and I got married; naturally, he and Einstein took to each other right away:
We won’t be gone too long, but a quick burst of warmth and sunshine will be nice, even though I don’t particularly mind the snow.
5. Confession: I love the look of sock buns and finally Googled how to do it. I had no clue you used an actual sock! Totally clueless over here.
6. The Olympics officially start tonight! We’re heading to a hockey game, so we won’t get to see the opening ceremonies, but I can’t wait to plant myself in front of the TV and watch non-stop Olympics for the next two weeks. I’m craving a viewing of Miracle this weekend!
7. I’ve had my Whitney English Day Designer planner for a few weeks now and wanted to update you on how I was liking it, since many of you had asked when I mentioned I was getting one. First and foremost, it’s a BEAUTIFUL planner; really well designed. I love, love, love the worksheets at the front of the planner that help you work through your goals, values and aspirations. However, from a personal preference standpoint, I found that I really preferred keeping just ONE book – one where I can write my to-do lists in the same place as my notes. The Day Designer doesn’t have space for notes or brainstorming, so I hit a stumbling block. I’m back to my regular ol’ notebook; I think I’m just totally old-school at heart :)
8. How beautiful is this porch? I’ve always dreamt of an enormous wrap-around porch; I have visions of myself sitting in a rocking chair doing crossword puzzles, staring at my massive garden in the distance, all the live long day.
9. Valentine’s Day is next Friday! Since we will be in Florida, I won’t be cooking up anything in my own kitchen; do you have any special meals, desserts or projects planned? I love this conversation heart cake – makes me feel like a kid again!
10. TGIF! Einstein and Duke really know how to work a weekend afternoon!
Oh your dogs are so cute. Every time I see pictures it makes me want to get two right away.
I think we have a similar take on the WE planner. I am using it a lot but tend to put a bunch of stickies in it with random lists and such. On another note, we are so pulled here for Valentine’s. Saw this great small plates idea on Snooth, but I am kind of thinking that a big plate of risotto and some Pinot would be just as perfect. Dessert screams soufflé, but maybe s’mores or ice cream sundaes would be even more fun?
The Bud commercial was my favorite. So cute!
So sorry for your loss-he was lucky to have a grandparent as long as he did. I lost mine in the camps in WWII. On the other side, just love, love, love the pictures of your boys!!
So sorry about the family loss. And sorry you’re visiting Florida under such sad circumstances.
And hate to tell you, but it’s COLD down here. In our corner, it was in the 30s last night but maybe up to 60 this weekend. Lots of chances of rain too. Maybe it will be more Florida-ish by next weekend.
Sorry for your loss, Michelle and safe travels. I too made a cake on SB Sunday. I made a Maple Choc Chip Poundcake I got the recipe from Bon Appetite. I wasn’t impressed and like you said “Bummer” but my daughter said that “when it’s warmed in the microwave it tastes like a warm Toll House cookie.”
I love Football and I was pulling for the ‘Hawks even though I’m a Ravens fan. Thank you for your website. After the shooting at Columbia Mall here in MD (that is MY Mall), each Saturday I seem to want to cook/bake something that comforts the soul of my family. The recipes on your website have been wonderful. If I’m in the kitchen they know to return home because tonight we are all sitting down to a “real meal”.
I’m sorry for your loss, as well. I hope our weather here in Florida will be better while you are here. I live in Winter Park and it was pretty exciting to have the Super Bowl commercial done here in our beautiful city. Have really enjoyed your blog and look forward to seeing how big your puppy is getting!
I’m sorry for the loss of your CCC’s grandfather. He looks like a wonderful man and Einstein liked him, too. Always trust a dog.
So sorry for your loss…have a safe trip. Love the picture of your CCC’s grandfather with Einstein. Stuff like that makes such precious memories.
I too, am sorry for your loss. Those older family members are something special, aren’t they? That picture is something you guys will treasure forever. How sweet.
Superbowl Commericals: Radio Shack made me laugh, both Bud commercials made me cry and the Chrysler commercial left me in awe. It was beautifully done and Dylan put it over the top, in my humble opinion! The game was pitiful, but the half-time show was the best I’ve seen in about 10 years or more! Love me some Bruno – and of course, the Red Hot Chili Peppers! Dug those weird leggings he was wearing! LOL
Sorry for the lose of your loved one, have a safe trip to Fla. I do not watch ball games so it made no difference to me.
I’ve been a Seahawks fan for over 30 years. While everyone else was board by the utter domination, I was worried Denver would still come back. I didn’t sit down ’til midway through the 4th quarter. After suffering for so long, with my team, I couldn’t comprehend that it was really going to happen.
Ha, same! Everyone who wasn’t in the PNW thought it was boring, but here in Seattle, we were on the edges of our seats and it was THE MOST AMAZING GAME EVER. And then our parade this week… somewhere between 700k and 1 million ppl! It was insanity. Still can’t stop talking about it!! :)
My younger son is a big Seahawks fan, so we were all rooting for the Seahawks. It was a great game on their side, that’s for sure. Glad I wasn’t a Broncos fan as it was hard to watch them. I don’t care about the commercials or the halftime show so didn’t even bother watching either! Sorry for your loss. Safe travels.
I agree!! Best game ever for this 30 year Seahawks fan! Finally! And even better, I live in Denver now so it has been fun to have my Seahawks jerseys on and my flag flying outside! Go Seahawks!!!! What a game!
Hi Ken, This is so true. I should have prefaced this by saying that if the Seahwaks were my hometown team, this probably would have been the least boring Super Bowl ever ;-) Glad you got to celebrate!
I’m sorry for your CCC’s loss but try to enjoy Florida’s weather, I’m sure it beats my Michigan weather right now. Super bowl/super bowl commercials were very disappointing this year, food was for sure our highlight. Just a tip on the sock bun, I wear them a lot especially on 2nd and 3rd day hair and I gotta say I like the actual sock bun maker vs. the sock due to the difference in volume it gave for me. You can buy them pretty much anywhere now and they are inexpensive, I think I paid around 2$ for mine :)
Michelle,
So sorry to hear of your husband’s and your loss.
I can’t say it enough, your puppies are sooo adorable. Love the pics.
Annamaria
Hope the trip to Florida goes well, great post!
My parents will celebrate their 61st wedding anniversary on Valentine’s Day. I plan to make a delicious recipe which is a copy kat of the herb crusted salmon at the Cheesecake Factory. Of course there will be cheesecake for dessert too.
Try to enjoy the time in fla with the fam, been keeping everyone in my thoughts
Love your comments and your pics!!! I love the one with “Grandfather petting Einstein so cute I love his little smile. Reminds me of my pops :) I also love the last pic with Einstein and Duke. I just wanna kiss and squish them both :):):):):)
Enjoy your weekend
DEBBIE
Thanks for the Whitney English update. I still don’t have mine. It was supposed to ship late Jan or early Feb but nothing yet. Sigh. Thanks for being honest and saying what you do and don’t like. Sorry that you’re now back to your regular ole notebook. Ugh. Frustrating! I’m hoping this doesn’t bug me either!
And those superbowl foods. The trifecta of dips. That is my perfect meal! And bday cake. Hello, life is complete!
Even though there will be some sad times enjoy your time in Florida and don’t take any cold weather with you. You will be missed.
I’m sorry for your loss.