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!
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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… ♥
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.