Media-crity

Today we got home and Nate’s hands were full with some things he’d ordered off Amazon, so he let me grab the mail for once (we’re nerds and fight over who gets the mail, plus we have a rule that, if it’s your birthmonth, you get the mail, so this was huge). I pulled out the stack and started flipping through it, as our mail carrier frequently gives us mail for our downstairs neighbors. In separating ours from theirs, I noticed an odd-sized envelope bearing the MGHIHP logo. Bigger than a standard business-sized, and thick with more than one sheet of paper. My hands began to shake. I quickly stuffed the misdirected mail into the other box and forced my legs to move into the house.

As soon as I got through the door, I began picking at the envelope, hardly noticing as the snow in the treads turned my boots into ice skates across the linoleum. I didn’t say anything to anyone, even turned it to hide the logo. I wanted my own moment to open it and process before anyone knew it had even arrived. The glue was extra-strong and there was nowhere to safely just tear it open, the pages running snug from one end of the envelope to the other.

I tossed the rest of the mail onto the counter, giving a grunt when Nate asked if he had any birthday cards. I stood in front of the window, facing the other counter, finally tearing the pages free. I opened the folded page, my eyes flitting from one word to another, all over, no regard for paragraphs or sentences, scanning for one that would give me the answer. Yes or no. Big envelope.

Finally, I found one I could hold on to, an anchor, a confirmation. Congratulations.

“I got in,” I croaked.

8-10″, you say? Who cares? I get to wear jeans to work tomorrow!

Thanks, snow!

Also, added the french toast alert system to my widgets *gestures to the right*. ‘Tis the season!

Stay warm, stay safe, don’t eat each other.

This week’s cookies have a LOT going on. But all of it good! Here’s the recipe I cobbled together from several internet sources:

INGREDIENTS:
1 cup softened butter
2 cups light brown sugar
2 large eggs
2 tablespoons milk
1 teaspoon orange zest
1.5 tablespoons Triple Sec (cause it was the only orange liquid I had handy)
1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon almond extract (because why not?)
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 cups rolled oats
1 6oz bag dried cranberries (about 1 1/3 cups)
2/3 cup white chocolate chips

DIRECTIONS:
1. Preheat oven to 350°F. (note to self: in current oven, 350F on convection)

2. Cream together butter and brown sugar in a large bowl. Beat in eggs one at a time until well mixed. Add milk, zest and extracts/liquor and mix well.

3. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda and salt. Stir in oats, then add to butter mixture and mix well.

4. Fold in cranberries and chocolate chips. Drop by the teaspoonful 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheets (I lined mine with parchment paper, so sue me). Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges just start to turn golden brown. (note to self: that is 8 minutes in your quirky oven)

5. Let the cookies cool on the sheets for 4 minutes, then remove to wire racks to finish cooling. Store in an airtight container or freeze.

I sure enjoyed them, hopefully my coworkers will too!

So here’s the deal. Put your iTunes/iPod/phonograph/personal marching band on shuffle and as you think about each question, hit “next” and record the song that comes up. Fun little time waster!

IF SOMEONE SAYS “IS THIS OKAY” YOU SAY?
“Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee” — Indigo Girls

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOURSELF?
“Most Everyone Will Find” — Centro-Matic

WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GUY/GIRL?
“Falling For the First Time” — Barenaked Ladies

HOW DO YOU FEEL TODAY?
“Love’s a Hard Game to Play” — Stevie Nicks

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE’S PURPOSE?
“Allentown” — Billy Joel (that’s rather troubling …)

WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU?
“Enid” — Barenaked Ladies

WHAT DO YOU OFTEN THINK ABOUT?
“Livin La Vida Loca” — Ricky Martin

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
“Hurricane” — Something Corporate

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY?
“Such Great Heights” — Iron and Wine

WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
“Blue Christmas” — Elvis

WHAT WILL YOU DANCE TO AT YOUR WEDDING?
“Wild Thing” — Troggs (I don’t think we actually played this one)

WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL?
“Secret Lovers” — Atlantic Starr

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST FEAR?
“Can I Have it Like That” — Pharrell

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SECRET?
“Love is a Deserter” — The Kills

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS?
“Top” — Live

WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO NAME THIS POST?
“Calypso Noel” — Johnny Mathis

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At work a few of us are bringing in baked goods every Monday through the holidays. I had been brought into it originally because of my cake class, but that ended last week, so this week I decided to take a break and bake some cookies instead. I used this recipe, which a friend of mine made for a party a few weeks ago and I loved. Mine came out differently– more crisp, less soft and chewy, but still good! Then I piped some frosting on with my cake decorating tools and then sprinkled them with some blue sugar I had made using my icing color gels. It was really easy. I just poured some sugar in a ziploc, added a toothpick-ful of gel and a couple of drops of water, and mashed it all up.

I just had one and the cookies aren’t as sweet as the ones my friend made, either, but the frosting and the sugar help that out. There was something weird with my dough when I made it– it was extremely crumbly, so I added some water. Mine are also thicker than my friend’s were. Hmm.