Friday Things
1. Last week, my Chief Culinary Consultant and I took a walk around a local park on a particularly gorgeous day. The sun was bright and warm, and the trees looked like a Bob Ross masterpiece. We’re still enjoying crazy warm temperatures here (it was in the low-80’s yesterday!), but apparently Frankenstorm is approaching, which means that by next week, the weather will look like this…
Halloween snow hasn’t happened since I was a kid. I’ve loved summer, but I will never, ever turn down a good snow storm! Bring on the flakes!
2. I now have three hockey classes under my belt, and I’m loving it more and more each week. It’s definitely hard, but is so much fun. We do a lot of skating drills, and the last two weeks we have started to learn puck handling and passing. I’ve learned that if you fall on the ice it doesn’t hurt one bit thanks to the padded equipment… until approximately 1pm the next day, that is. Then you feel it.
3. Confession: I don’t like goat cheese. I keep trying it over and over again, thinking that at some point it will just “click” with my taste buds. It’s not happening, I still don’t like it. I hope we can still be friends.
4. Have you seen this Dog’s Diary vs. Cat’s Diary? Absolutely hysterical… so spot on, and the cat’s entry makes me laugh so hard I cry!
5. As many of you know, I am a HUGE fan of soft pretzels. I eat them at pretty much every sporting event and concert that I go to. Twice now, my Chief Culinary Consultant and I have ordered them off of an appetizer menu at a restaurant only to have them arrive at the table… deep fried. Now, I appreciate a good ol’ deep fry when it comes to many, many things. However, I have learned that soft pretzels are not one of them. I never thought the day would come when I thought something deep fried was a bad idea.
6. Every once in a while, I crave a good old-fashioned fast food burger and fries with a Diet Coke. I really wish, however, that the combo meal could be customizable so that I could get, say, a medium-sized drink with a small fry. I always want the larger drink, so I end up with the larger size fry. Which I eat, naturally. Lately, I’ve been craving Arby’s curly fries. I love those things!
7. Total disclosure: I am not at all a fan of hunting. I love animals and to think of them harmed in any way makes me incredibly sad (just ask my Chief Culinary Consultant, who is subjected to my weeping anytime an animal dies in a movie). That being said, I found this commercial so insanely funny last year around the holidays, and it popped into my head a few days ago, so I had to look it up on YouTube.
“That sweater’s messed up.” HA!
8. If you have curly hair and have not yet tried Ouidad products, run to the nearest retailer that carries them. Awhile back, I saw Bridget mention them and checked them out. I have learned to love my curls after spending an entire childhood hating them, but have always struggled to find the right styling products. I have fallen in love with Ouidad – you can find the right products for you based on hair texture, length, type of curl, etc. Definitely give them a try if you have curly hair! (Disclaimer: I have no affiliation with Ouidad, I just genuinely love their products and wanted to share my recommendation with you.)
9. I’m a total party pooper when it comes to Halloween. I’ll eat the candy, but please don’t make me do the costume thing. I just can’t get into it. Anyone else?
10. TGIF! Remember, sharing is caring…
I’ve been using the Deva Curl products. Have you tried those yet? There is a salon nearby that does the Ouidad stuff. Although it is $95 for the consultation and cut. I’m curious to know how the two products compare. So far I’m loving the Deva Curl stuff. I stick with the No-poo daily cleanser…no more shampoo for these curls!
Hi Jessica, I haven’t used Deva Curl, but I will check those out! Thanks for the recommendation!
I just got tomorrow and Tuesday off because of Frankenstorm – let’s hope my power doesn’t go out!
I am so glad to see that other people hate goat cheese too… especially food people! I just can’t get into it.
Also, I am not into dressing up for Halloween, but I do love the holiday because I have little ones to dress up. Even better, they’re still too little to eat much candy so we dress them up all adorable like, take them around trick-or-treating, then enjoy the haul ourselves!
Goat cheese is awful. It tastes like a petting zoo! I will trust the recipes on your blog more knowing you agree!
I am not a fan of Halloween at all, except the candy. That cat and dog diary is hilarious :). Hoping it doesn’t snow here. My fingers are crossed for a record breaking warm winter.
For me it’s Greek yogurt. Everyone else loves it, but I can’t stand the slightly strange texture and taste! haha
Also, we live in TN (foothills of the Smoky Mtns), and the fall colors are just incredible here. Wouldn’t trade it for the world! I love the shots you captured. :-)
I don’t eat fast food.
Hi Michelle! I loved this post! IThe cat vs. dog diary was hilarious, especially since we have a cat! I hope she doesn’t feel that way, though! Also, I was happy to see that you mentioned Bob Ross! I thought I was the only one who was a fan. Me and my best friend watched him ALL the time when we were kids and I see him on PBS every now and again these days and I still love him! I don’t have curly hair but got a sample of Ouidad leave in conditioner from Sephora. I don’t know what I’ll do with it but my hair is a bit wavy so maybe I’ll try it! The picture with the two dogs is priceless!!!! It is so adorable! :) I can sort of relate to your joining hockey. I joined karate with my daughter back in February and I just got my red belt last week! My daughter , who’s 9, has been taking karate for 2 years and is already a first degree black belt!!! :) Have a great weekend!
I love that you do karate with your daughter, how fun!! I love learning new sports – a couple of years ago I started with my boyfriend teaching me tennis, now hockey, and I’m thinking once spring rolls around I might take golf lessons!
I LOVE Ouidad – best thing EVER for my curly hair.
I DISLIKE Halloween costumes…bring on the candy corn though.
The dog/cat diary is HYSTERICAL. I posted it on FB immediately.
Your dogs are cuties – have a great weekend!
Love your blog…I was laughing while reading the dog/cat diary, and my kids heard me so I read it to them (skipping a specific b word). They enjoyed it, too!
Always enjoy Friday “Stuff n’ Things.”
Those are very beautiful happy trees. And I’d feel like a jerk listing out ways you can eat and maybe love goat cheese so I’ll refrain… but I do feel like there’s hope for you yet :)
Love the puppy picture. :)
So jealous of everyone’s beautiful fall colors! Even my parents (who live 10 minutes away) have orange and red leaves, but for some reason all the trees in my neighborhood downtown don’t!
The dog vs cat thing is one of my absolute favorite internet things. And a prime example of why I love dogs :)
OH and have you tried goat cheese with garlic & herbs? My boyfriend isn’t a fan of goat cheese either, but he usually likes it dressed up with herbs and/or spices!
I totally agree with you – the dog vs cat thing is exactly why I’m a total dog person!
I haven’t tried goat cheese with garlic and herbs. I’ll give it a shot, thanks for the suggestion!
It started snowing for real for the last two days. I like snow…around Christmas!
Also, I love dressing up!!! How about I just give you all my candy so I can dress up for you? hehe
DEAL!
I used to not like goat cheese….now I like it a lot. It took me 30 years to like olives, but now I love them! It takes babies 20 tastes of something before they will like it (unless it has sugar in it). Keep trying, Michelle.
That’s interesting about the 20 tastes thing. I’ll have to keep trying. Ironically, I also hate olives ;-)
That cat/dog diary thing made my day! Hilarious!
I am not a halloween fan either…. I look forward to Nov 1st when I can focus on Christmas.
I love 5 guys for my burger fix. I’m with you on the goat cheese. Anyway it’s served, or what ever it’s served with. Just can’t get past it.
I’m totally with you on the Halloween costume thing. Even as a kid i dreaded it. But i love the candy!
so cool that you are playing hockey! i played on a club team in college after figure skating as a kid and i miss it so much. there aren’t many leagues/classes for a novice like me in boston. and i hope you get to like goat cheese, it is my absolute favorite thing in the world! :)
xoamy
http://www.cupcakesncouture.com
Michelle,
so happy to hear you don’t like Goat Cheese. I try to think i like it, because it’s the thing to do-you HAVE to like goat cheese nowadays, but i really dislike it. thx for letting me get that off my chest…lol
that dog/cat diary is the funniest thing i’ve read in long time. i just was laughing out loud at work. hysterical..
have a great weekend- stay safe from the Frankenstorm.
I love these posts! I also hate goat cheese…one of the very few things I don’t like. I’ve tried and tried also…just isn’t happening.
I LOVED the diary…..and the picture at the bottom. We have two dogs that do exactly the same thing. And are probably thinking the same thing also…. Thanks for sharing!!!
The dog/cat diary made my morning! Hysterical!
I HATE costumes. They make me unconformable – but seeing people in costumes has the same effect. Like people in the mall promoting things with masks on – weirds me out. I think it’s because I can’t see their face. Whatever it is, I don’t like it! :)
Love the dogs picture. I have curly hair too but the Ouidad shampoo is about 10 times what I would normally spend. I love the new design of your site but I miss your blogroll.
It would be nice to educate yourself as to the ways and conditions of industrial meats.We may even think twice about the pepperoni on our pizzas.Cage free doesn’t mean free range and the list goes on and on.There are plenty of documentary rentals to check out and not wanting to cry or be sad is no excuse for ignorance. I do eat meat but prefer to eat an animal that has lived a freer more natural life. It is better for our health as well.
It is enough that animals die for us,they do not have to be tortured as well.
Cute factor? Lamb? Veal? Come on….
Hi Penny, I actually have watched many documentaries and read a number of books on the subject of massive meat markets, the current state of our agriculture system, and the advantages of free range, grass fed animals, both from a food quality perspective and a humane perspective. That is how I choose to buy my food. However, that doesn’t change the fact that I still hate the idea of hunting or seeing an animal die, no matter the means or end purpose.
Thank you for a response. I also do not enjoy watching animals die, or people either for that matter. Ranching, farming, hunting are all necessary evils of eating meats.My point is if we are eating it the animal has died somehow. Slaughter or shot…and to single out hunting doesn’t make sense to me.
Hi Penny, You’re welcome. I wasn’t singling out hunting for any reason other than I was about to post a commercial for a hunting video game.
I love random posts! We are also preparing for the perfect storm ‘Sandy’ as we are just south of Washington DC. Hope you have a beautiful weekend before it hits!
I am so sad to hear you can’t get into Halloween! I hope you at least wear a funky Halloween shirt! I would say that is the minimum!! ;-)
As usual your Friday blog is great! I love the mixture of stuff posted! Especially since you always end it with a cute animal picture! I
Thank you for posting the curly hair product. I have never heard of it before and plan to try it! I struggle with my hair too! I have always used Pantene mousse AND gel to manage the curls and that works ok, but it wasn’t moisturized. Then I tried the moroccan argen oil and that conditions well, but all the products I needed per month were kinda pricy. So- I will try this! Thanks for sharing!
HAPPY FRIDAY!
HAHA, thanks for the laugh! What a fun post. I loved that commercial too… cracks me up everytime!!
I am SO not into costumes either! It’s just not my thing, but I’ll eat the candy anytime!
I’m so glad I’m not the only one who isn’t into costumes. Just not my thing! And deep fried pretzels?? I’m intrigued but suspect I’d probably feel the same way as you after trying them :)
Love the picture of the dogs! I have 2 very large chocolate labs… This really made me laugh! Love your site and fabulous recipes!
Geez, I dislike Hallowe’en too! Always afraid to come clean about it! Love your blog!
Pretty sure hunting is far more humane than the methods used for raising most mass produced meats. If I had to kill any of the animals I eat, I would have become a vegetarian.
Walmart carries Arby’s Curly Fries in their frozen food section. I haven’t bought them so I don’t know how close they taste to the in store version. Enjoy our last day of nice weather and have a good weekend.
Ooh I hardly ever go to Wal-Mart, but I need to check out those frozen fries and see how they compare! Thanks for the heads-up!
Loved your Friday stuff n’ things. Fall is my most favorite time of year in western NY. But what made me laugh was your “dog’s diary vs. cat’s diary”!!!! You just made my Friday!
I LOVE Arby’s curly fries – I do crave them sometimes, but rarely fulfill that craving…how sad.
I am with you on the Halloween costume thing – love the parties and the candy, but I usually go as “myself” to costume parties. Yup – I’m that girl!
#3. Yep. I keep trying and the only way I like goat cheese is on crackers with other things (nuts, cranberry sauce, apple slices, etc.).
#5. Oh yeah. Arby’s fries are the best. I get that craving as well and head to Five Guys. Their fries are HUGE but the burgers are perfect.
Happy Friday!
I agree, when I’m craving a burger, I head straight to Five Guys!