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… ♥
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.