Friday Things
1. Duke turns 8 months old on the 30th, and since we don’t have 30 days in February, we’ll just call today his 8-month birthday. He still sleeps on the fireplace, even though he barely fits and looks like he’s paddling a surfboard most of the time ;-)
2. Confession: I don’t watch the Oscars. I have zero interest in them. I know tons of people throw parties, etc., but please tell me I’m not the only one who sits this one out!
3. I don’t know about you, but I am MORE than ready for soft serve stands to open up for the season. Nothing beats a vanilla/chocolate swirl covered in sprinkles, right?!
4. Okay, so House of Cards. Tons of you were crazy enthusiastic about recommending it last week, so last Friday night, my Chief Culinary Consultant and I watched the first episode. Then, we watched the second episode. By Monday night, we had polished off the entire first season, and we’re currently halfway through the second season. I believe this would be the definition of “binging”. Seriously, though, OMG SO GOOD. Gah! So many awful people and I can’t look away.
5. Have you been taking Buzzfeed quizzes? I’m such a sucker for them! So far, I’ve found that I should have been born in the 1950’s, I should be an astronaut (ha!), I should live in Switzerland, and that I would most likely be Veterinarian Barbie (that one is spot-on).
6. Speaking of Barbie, I had NO idea there were different “types” of Barbies. I just thought there was one Barbie. Truth be told, I never, ever played with dolls as a kid. My sister had the whole Barbie thing going on with clothes, the house, etc. Me? I asked for a baseball glove for my 6th birthday and requested a hockey player on my 8th birthday cake. Sooo… yeah. No dolls for me.
7. On Sunday, my Chief Culinary Consultant and I are taking a glass blowing class at a local place here in Pittsburgh. My sister got us a gift certificate for Christmas, and we are super excited to give it a try. Hopefully the looming snow storm for Sunday/Monday doesn’t foil our plans!
8. Have you heard of The Crispery? It first popped onto my radar thanks to Amanda, and now I can’t get it out of my head! They make homemade gourmet Rice Krispies treats in a ton of different flavors, like chocolate caramel, cookies and cream, mint chocolate chip, and over a dozen more. You can order online and have them shipped right to your door. Mail order gourmet Rice Krispies treats is seriously a genius idea!
9. I am giving away a $150 Albion Fit gift card over on Home & Garden! Don’t forget to get your entries in before Sunday!
10. TGIF! I hope you have a cozy weekend!
So agree with the above comment~I live in Ca. and could care less
about the oscars~I would rather see the pictures of your dogs
I don’t watch the oscars either, I don’t see the point of watching awards shows. It’s basically just a group of wealthy people congratulating each other.
I’ve been holding off on season 2 of House of Cards, I binged watched season 1 and know I’m not gonna be able to walk away once I start…
Speaking of House of Cards, have you seen this parody Tumblr page yet?
http://houseofcarbs.tumblr.com
My Golden Leo turned 8 months on the 24th February! Just love your pics of your dogs. Yours dogs are gorgeous. Love your recipes.
Aww, happy birthday to Leo!!
As former golden owners, I so enjoy pictures of your dogs. Duke is truly a “fireplace dog”!!
I am so glad that I’m in good (and more numerous) company in that I have zero interest in any award show. I love your puppy pics!
Oh just LOVE your dogs. Oscars soooo boring and agree they are all way overpaid.
Love your blogs .. they make me laugh as I envisage you and CCC and puppies enjoying life.
Michele,
I hate the Oscars!! There, I’ve said it. I feel much better for it. These people make so much money and they still demand more validation. It’s unbelievable. OK – rant over.
On a better note, have I said how much I love the photos of the puppies.
Annamaria
I guess I’ll watch the Oscars but it will be in my PJ’s with two dogs close by trying to stay warm! Have a great weekend – love your furry friends photo!
I could care less about the Oscars. What I am excited about, however, is Saturday night. I’m have friends and family over and for dessert we are having your Oreo Refrigerator Cake! YUM! I can hardly wait! :)
I’m seriously in love with your dogs. Hope that’s okay :) I have a golden of my own and her is just the best ever [besides my husband of course ;)]. Golden (& Pittsburgh!) <3
I have loved this blog – but WHY do you suddenly have a popup video which demands “Watch: Great Starts Great Things”? Bad enough to have inappropriate ads on many blogs unrelated to the blog’s general subject (I used to visit Dogster, for example, until they sold to Say Media and started running ads for antipsychotic drugs and toilet paper – autoloading animated ads that launched all by themselves! It’s always terrific to find a blog that is wonderful to read even down to the comments – why spoil it for your fans with these strange videos? Thanks!
Hi Sarahkate, My apologies, there should definitely not be pop up ads running, as I have disabled them with my ad network. I will check to ensure that no campaigns have accidentally snuck through.
So happy to hear this news. Thank you for disabling those pop ups! I love House of Cards as well. Have you tried the original British trilogy? House of Cards, To Play the King and The Final Cut? Some story line except set in the British political world. Slightly dated now, but the acting is so outstanding and the characters so evil and conniving, it doesn’t matter.
Well, all I can say is that you should be here in sunny Clearwater, FL! Oh yeah.
Today is in the low 70’s. I know that was cruel. I am originally from MD and my family called to ask how many I could sleep! I feel for you. That’s why I’m here and not there. Anyway, love you, love your recipes, love your banter. Oh, and I love Duke and Einstein. BTW, I don’t watch the Oscars either! From all the comments, I wonder who does?
I love Duke on the fireplace! It’s so funny how they try to squeeze in spots. I have a lab and he swears he’s a lap dog.
I don’t usually watch the Oscars either. I’m not an awards show person, though I use to watch the music ones years ago.
I’m a little surprised that you don’t partake in the Oscars. Thought you’d take this opportunity to whip up some yummy snacks. Lol. I for one love this award show as I love the movies. I try not to get caught up in the red carpet stuff as that is too self indulging for me.
Loving the photos of duke! So big and cute.
Totally agree about the Oscars. We miss all awards shows for the first few months.
House of Cards – yes oh yes. Love it love it love it! Kevin Spacey was always one of my faves. And he just nails playing the perfect politician here. Never disappoints! I’m so glad it’s coming back for season #3.
Have fun with the glassblowing. Take some pics. I’d love to see what you create :)
I’m a “fair weather” friend of the Oscar’s ~ if something better isn’t on then I’ll watch! And there is something better on WALKING DEAD!!! and before that it was DOWNTON ABBEY and soon it will be MAD MEN!!!
From one [Nashville] Golden lover to another, I can’t tell you how much your pics of Einstein & Duke make me smile. We have a 7 1/2 year old Golden named Leo and they are just the best. Keep the pics coming please! (and the other stuff is good too ;-)
I totally agree. Those awards shows are so boring and self serving for the entertainment industry. I also agree with person who said you have to watch Once Upon a Time. It’s addictive. I personally would way rather make a batch of the homemade pb and chocolate ice cream that you featured around a year ago than eat soft serve. For me, it’s hard ice cream all the way! Thanks for your great blog.
OH my gosh House of Cards! It got recommended to me last week too and right now we are three episodes away from the end of season two. It’s so addicting. I can’t stop. Insane!
Another show you HAVE to watch is Once Upon a Time. It is so addictive!!
I just want to say I enjoy very much reading your blog every day. You are so down to earth and I especially love your stories and of course your recipes. I too am not into the Oscars I probably will watch just to see what they are wearing! I would also like to add that I am too from Pittsburgh I am sure that is why I like reading you everyday too and a huge Penguins fans as well. Have had enough of this Winter and I too am looking forward to ice cream stands opening we are lucky I have 4 great ones within easy driving distance the Windmill has really good frozen treats of all kinds and you can play mini golf too! We also have Brusters, Dairy Queen and an all around favorite of Hank’s Frozen Custard YUM-Oh !!! Bring on the summer of course after this next predicted snow and ice storm ughhh!!
I made your homemade pasta last night. At first I started it on the board but it wasn’t going to well. So I got out my food processor and while it was running just added a smidgeon of water. It came together beautifully. I have the old fashioned hand cranked machine. I made two batches of fettuccine last night. Can’t wait to seve them tonight. Thanks for posting.
I skip the oscars too!!
House of Cards – Hubby and I have been trying to find the time to watch it. I have heard so many rave reviews!!
Award show after award show….I think it’s kind of ridiculous how these actors who get millions of dollars to be in a movie have to all get together so they can tell each other how great they are! And the speeches that go on and on……on a brighter note, I love seeing pictures of your dogs each week. Such sweet angels!
I love the pictures of the dogs, too. I have been loving the pictures for quite a while now and had to say so. Keep putting their pictures in. Love them.
Love the newsletters, too.
You said it Kathy! I couldn’t give a rip about the Oscars or the actors (I once saw a great t-shirt that said “Friends don’t let friends worship celebrities), and I LOVE the pics of Duke and Einstein!
omg, I want that shirt!!
Never watch them either! Fun to watch Joan rivers on fashion police though:)
It sounds like you are going to the glass center in Friendship. Hubby and I have several items from there. We haven’t taken a full-blown (no pun intended) class but have done several of the make/take items (made with assistance from the glass blowers). We did glass flowers, pumpkins and an Easter egg paperweight. The people are so creative and amazing. Don’t miss their sale near Christmas. They bring people in to sell gorgeous glass items (I have a few pieces of jewelry with handmade beads). Have fun!
Another mention about the “house of cards” …that’s it, I’m going to have to watch it. Is that still available on netflix?
Yes, it is!
OMG I thought I was the only one who doesn’t watch the Oscars. I don’t watch any of those award shows. I have no interest in any of that. Blach!
I really don’t understand what all the hype is all about.
Oh well.
I NEVER watch the Oscars either! It seems so very boring. I love getting your emails everyday. Most of your recipes I either plan to try or have made. And, last but not least, I so love golden retrievers! They make the BEST family members!!!
I never watch the Oscar’s either. No interest at all! And, I am so ready for the soft serve places to open myself! Love your newsletters! You are honest and down to earth! Thank you for that! Have a great weekend yourself! We can’t get rid of winter, having more snow and ice all weekend!
TGIF, do not watch the Oscar’s either, completely turned off by them. I heard about the house of cards show, I will check out, especially with the pending snow storm (Philly). I will need something to get my mind off of shoveling. I would give anything for a Rita’s water ice stand to open, (local in this area). This has to be the last storm, just has too!!!
You are so right!s