Friday Things
1. Puppy face! He might be eight months old and sometimes have the look of a grown-up dog, but there’s no doubt that Duke is still ALL puppy.
2. Let’s talk jeans… do you have a favorite brand? I have the hardest time buying jeans! I’m short (5’1) and pear-shaped and, well, jeans shopping is a total struggle. I’ve worn JCrew jeans for a long time, but it seems that they’ve changed the cut recently. I’m open to suggestions!
3. My Chief Culinary Consultant and I watched all two seasons of House of Cards in 10 days. It totally lived up to all of the hype, and now I can’t wait for the next season to start! If you haven’t checked it out yet, clear your schedule for the next week, because once you start, you won’t be able to stop!
4. Have I ever told you about my favorite, easiest-most-delicious appetizer? It’s this easy… 1 jar of Harry & David Onion & Pepper Relish (original recipe) + 2 blocks of cream cheese. Stir together and dip, dip, dip! I always keep jars in the pantry, and we even packed them for vacation last year for a quick snack. Totally addicting! The flat pretzel crisps are our favorite thing to dip with, but tortilla chips are awesome too.
5. So true:
[via Facebook]
Save This Recipe
Enter your email address, and we'll send it straight to your inbox!
6. Aaaaaand another tear-inducing dog commercial:
I snuggled Einstein so hard after watching that one!
7. My 10-inch cast iron skillet has finally reached rock star status. It is seasoned so well at this point that I can (and do) cook things like eggs and cheesy omelets in it without any greasing whatsoever, and they slide right out on a spatula. A few people have asked how I clean it; I used this tutorial as a starting point. I let the pan cool after using it, then add an equal amount of kosher salt and vegetable oil to the pan. I use this cast iron scrub brush to scrub the pan, ensuring that any stuck-on pieces are pulled up. Once the surface is smooth, I use a couple of paper towels to wipe out the pan, making sure that all of the salt is completely wiped out, then I put it away. That’s it! NO water. NO soap. No drying over heat or brushing on more oil.
8. I’m not planning a garden for this year, but this square foot gardening layout that Shawnda put together is totally inspiring!
9. I’ve been tossing around the idea of taking up knitting. I’ve known how to crochet since I was little (thanks to my grandma!) and I can make a mean blanket, but it seems like you can do a lot more with patterns for things like hats, scarves, etc. with knitting. It’s always intimidated me because of using two needles; how much of a jump is it from crochet?
10. TGIF! We’ve got some brotherly love going on!
Lately, I’ve been getting my jeans from Buckle. They’re pricey but worth it. They carry short, regular, & tall lengths and have free alterations.
I’ve crocheted forever and recently took up knitting. I tried knitting two other times in the past and just couldn’t get the hang of it, even though I’ve always wanted to learn. I finally decided, if nothing else, I was going to learn to make knitted dishcloths. I found a few YouTube videos and that’s how I learned. So far, I have not progressed beyond the dishcloths, but I will try a scarf soon. I’m amazed by those who think knitting is easier than crocheting as I find crocheting easier – maybe some of it is what you learned first.
I highly recommend KUT they are sold at Nordstrom or online. http://www.kutfromthekloth.com/
Super soft and stretchy, will last a long time.
I love that you named your dog Einstein. I always wanted to name a Golden Retriever Einstein, but I’m a Dean Koontz nerd. Love your blog!
#2: regarding jeans–
I’m petite as well, just a bit shy of 5′, with not so slender thighs. I like the jeans I’ve gotten from Old Navy. The short style with straight leg cut.
I am also 5’1″ and pear shaped and I LOVE The Limited’s 678 ankle jeans! They are perfect! I’m in between sizes most places but with these I wear the smaller of the two sizes.
I’m also 5’1″, I wear juniors Levi’s 518 style jeans. I also have one pair of 524 which are a little tighter than the 518. I love the way they fit, but I have to shorten the length of them by about an inch.
I love the snuggling dogs! I love Citizens of Humanity, AG and Joe’s Jeans, all available at Nordstrom at Ross Park. I’m 5’5″, though.
I used to wear JCrew jeans in short, but lately I’ve purchased the boot cut style from Vera Wang at Kohl’s. It was a random find because I have the worst luck with jeans, but maybe you’ll find luck with them too :)
I love your Friday postings because of those faces! Thanks!
I have a difficult time finding jeans that fit well (and don’t cost a fortune). I like Levis and (surprisingly) Cato’s jeans. I’m 5’4″ and right on the border of being plus size so many of the specialty stores mentioned by others don’t carry the right size for me. I used to love Old Navy jeans, but they changed the material and now they always feel really cheap and thin. Good luck finding jeans that work for you!
PS – I love your doggie pictures every Friday. Makes my heart happy :)
THE best part of Friday without a doubt, is Einstein and Duke. They are both so handsome!
I agree with you on the Harry & David Pepper & Onion Relish dip. It is delicious. We eat it with tortilla chips, but I bet those pretzel crisps would be fantastic as well.
Have you ever tried J Jill jeans? I’m 5’3″ and curvy as well and I can wear their jeans and be comfortable. I really like that you posed this Jeans question – the recommendations of others are great. I’m certainly going to be checking out those brands.
Go on ravelry.com. You will get lost in the wonderful projects, yarns, make friends, gain confidence. It is one of the best sites ever. Businesses try to copy it because it is so successful. All about knitting. I knit A LOT but don’t make anything without checking on ravelry.com to see who has made it and if there are problems or tips. Re two needles: we use two feet and two hands all the time. same difference. You’ll love it. Your local knitting shop will help you get started free, and probably offer classes as well.
My goodness that’s a lot of dog! They’re gorgeous – I’ve always wanted a Golden, but I can’t wrap my brain around dealing with a shedding dog again (we have two shih tzus). As soon as they invent a non shedding one (not a labra doodle either) I’m getting one.
I’ve been having a terrible time buying jeans. What’s with this Curvy, Skinny, Classic, business? I’d just like a pair that doesn’t slide down but also doesn’t have a 14″ mom-jean zipper. Too much to ask? I guess so!
Definitely take up knitting!!! It will take practice, but you will learn to read your stitches (recognize knits & purls) and then you can mindlessly knit away!! And with knitting, you only have the 2 stitches (knit & purl) and various combinations of those stitches. Super easy!! KnitFreedom.com is a great online source with lots of tutorials, if you’re a visual person. Start with a dishcloth or 2, then a scarf or 2, but then force yourself to branch out to hats or socks or gloves. One disclaimer: Lace knitting is something you have to pay attention to, but such a fun challenge!
Hi, Michelle :)
As both a knitter and crocheter, I would say the transition is not so difficult. You do use much more your left hand in knitting (or right if you’re a leftie) but if you are worried, you can try arm knitting first. It will give you the structure of the fabric and it’s much bigger to see and understand.
I love to do both things, but I go throught crafting seasons (for some unknown reason) and my urge is the one to tell me whether I should do one thing or the other (or learn new crafts :P)
Right now, I’m in the food season, hihi, so I read your posts every day.
Thanks for your wonderful recipes!
What type of cast iron skillet did you get? I received one for a Christmas gift but it’s more of a grill pan. I’d like to get something with a flat bottom so I can do the corn breads, etc.
And did you just follow the manufacturer instructions on how to season? How long did it take?
Have a great & furry weekend :)
Hi Andrea, It is a Lodge Logic pan. I have a 12″, 10″, 8″, and square grill pan. It was one of the ones that come “pre-seasoned” and while you can cook on it immediately, it’s not even close to that completely non-stick surface that can only come with use. I just clean it as I detailed above, and currently don’t do anything else to it. It was actually my husband’s before we got married, and had cleaned it with soap many times (ack!), so I rubbed it all over with vegetable shortening and baked it in a 350 degree oven for 2 hours to start the resurrection process :) That was about 6 months ago, now it’s my favorite pan!
I am 5’2″ and have a smaller waist and curvier hips/thighs and I really like the GAP curvy jeans in “ankle”. I don’t have to get them hemmed and I don’t have the dreaded gap in the back!
Well, I’m going to completely disagree from the majority on jeans. I’m 5’1″ and pear shaped (isn’t it a blast?) and maybe it also depends on waist to hip ratio, but the jeans at Old Navy always fit great well in the hips/butt and then leave me about 7 extra inches around my waist. Room to grow, maybe? Not sure, but a lot of brands give me that awful “waist gap” where you could literally stick a loaf of bread between my spine and the back of the jeans-Old Navy, American Eagle, GAP. Always fit my hips, though.
Anyway, no one’s mentioned it yet but I’ve had great luck with Anne Taylor Loft. I used to buy their jeans and cords, but they changed up their cords awhile ago and now they fit me like most everything else. But the jeans still rock-or at least did when I bought a few pairs a year ago. I can also vouch for buying pricier denim at the Buckle or something similar (we have a few jeans boutiques in town). I’m frugal so, for me, it can suck to spend $100 on jeans but they always offer free tailoring and they really know their stuff-what brands will fit me well, the best cut and size in that brand for my body, etc. Plus, jeans tend to last me for years and years and I wear them all the time so I look at it as an investment.
Oh my goodness! We all found that Chevy commercial yesterday at work and about half of us cried. Too serious of a car commercial for my taste!
I agree! I saw it this morning on the Today Show .. cried.. and decided I am NEVER buying a Chevy.. ever!!! How DARE they compare a dog to a stupid SUV. We just lost our dog suddenly (he was 10 yrs old – and my daughter had that same moment picking him out) and did NOT need that! I love touching commercials.. LOVE the Budweiser dogs / horse ones!
Banana Republic jeans have always worked great for me. You can get petite too, so no hemming:).
I love jeans but finding some that fit me are a royal pain…others have made some great suggestions and I don’t have any others to add…lol
I too want to take up knitting but I’m scared to give it a go…let us know how you like it…I know I need to find a place that gives classes like “knitting for dummies”….lol
I’m the exact same height and shape as you, so I get that jeans shopping is the pits. Macy’s carries the INC brand & the petite curvy boot cut styles fit me pretty well. They don’t always have them, and sometimes they have bling on the butt (which I hate), so I stock up when I find a pair that fits. Good luck!
Although I’m not short…I AM pear shaped. The Sweetheart jeans at Old Navy fit perfectly. I buy the bootcut because they fit a lot better than regular cut, for me. But you should try them.
First off, I love Duke!!! I am the proud mom of a crazy 4 year old golden retriever named Abby and she is amazing. I love their goofiness! As for jeans, I have the worst time finding them. I am 5 feet tall and I don’t like the skinny jeans. I recently bought some curvy boot cut jeans from Gap that fit very nicely and are very comfortable.
Jeans: I’m 5’2″ and I’ve recently discovered denim at White House Black Market. It’s a DREAM to walk into and store and find several styles of jeans that I’d be willing to wear that same day (ie, no hemming or other tailoring needed and no more visiting multiple stores and tearing out your hair in frustration!). I also want to second Buckle. Looks like a teeny-bopper shop but they really know their products there. I’ve found the service to be amazing…they will get you into a great looking pair of jeans BUT you may need to leave them for a week to get hemmed (for free). Gap: I find the service at the Gap to be so incredibly lacking that I don’t bother going there. Makes me feel so alone in my jeans search and now with Buckle and White House Black Market there’s no reason to feel alone! Good luck!
I am also 5’1… My favorite jeans are Joe’s Jeans in petite and Lucky Brand Jeans. Joes are my favorite though!
It’s Friday—-DOG PICTURE day!!!! I’ll tell you what–that Duke is becoming such a handsome young man. And Einstein looks just like my Derby (who has just been diagnosed with sarcoma). Anyway, knitting is great winter hobby. I have a great dishcloth pattern that goes fast and everyone loves them! Thank you for BYB–I “tune in” everyday!
Here’s a brand of jeans that are below the radar but sooo good. They are called Mavi and are sold at Nordstrom’s. Not only do they have just the right amount of stretch but the way it is cut, I swear my legs are longer! Trust me!
Try H&M. Many styles and you can choose you own inseam. I just bought the cutest pair online for $20!