18 February, 2010

Method Movie Watching



My father has been recommending the movie Bottle Shock to me ever since hearing a firsthand account of the true story while in Napa and I finally got around to renting it...

Natch, I felt obligated to run out and get myself a bottle of the film's star, Chateau Montelena to indeed verify the hoopla surrounding the chardonnay most famous for winning the white wine section of the historic "Judgement of Paris" wine competition. Hoopla verified...

ps...good for washing down Compost Cookies!

Kindness of my Dad for circuitously leading me to my new fav Chardonnay. We'll keep the price on the down low or else "Bottle Shock" will turn to "sticker shock" where Babe is concerned...XXOO

17 February, 2010

Momofuku's Compost Cookies

Anderson Cooper has been talking up the Compost Cookies and Crack Pie from Momofuku's Milk Bar for months on Regis and Kelly. I've gotten so worked up over the thought of their yumminess that I don't know where I'm gonna run to first the next time I'm in NYC; Calypso or the Milk Bar?



Thank goodness Kelly took on the Compost Cookie recipe assignment just in time for me to whip up a batch for Babe (read myself) for Valentines...

1 cup butter
1 cup sugar
3/4 cup light brown sugar
1 tablespoon corn syrup
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 large eggs
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
2 tsp kosher salt
1 1/2 cups your favorite baking ingredients
(I used Ghiradelli chocolate chips, dark chocolate Raisinettes, Rollos and Cocoa Krispies)
1 1/2 cups Your favorite snack foods
(I used mini Goldfish, Ritz, and Fritos)

In a stand mixer with a paddle attachment, cream butter, sugars, and corn syrup on medium high for 2-3 minutes until fluffy and pale yellow in color. Scrape down the sides of the mixing bowl with a spatula.

On a lower speed, add eggs and vanilla to incorporate. Increase mixing speed to medium-high and start a timer for 10 minutes. During this time the sugar granules will fully dissolve, the mixture will become an almost pale white color and your creamed mixture will double in size.

When time is up, on a lower speed, add the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Mix 45-60 seconds just until your dough comes together and all remnants of dry ingredients have incorporated. Do not walk away from your mixer during this time or you will risk over mixing the dough. Scrape down the sides of the mixing bowl with a spatula.

On same low speed, add in the hodgepodge of your favorite baking ingredients and mix for 30-45 seconds until they evenly mix into the dough.

Add in your favorite snack foods last, paddling again on low speed until they are just incorporated.

Using a 6oz ice cream scoop, portion cookie dough onto a parchment lined sheet pan.

Wrap scooped cookie dough tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for a minimum of 1 hour or up to 1 week.

DO NOT BAKE your cookies from room temperature or they will not hold their shape.

Heat the conventional oven to 400°. (350° in a convection oven)

When the oven reads 400°, arrange your chilled cookie dough balls on a parchment or silpat-lined sheet pan a minimum of 4" apart in any direction.


Bake 9-11 minutes. While in the oven, the cookies will puff, crackle and spread.

At 9 min the cookies should be browned on the edges and just beginning to brown towards the center. Leave the cookies in the oven for the additional minutes if these colors don't match up and your cookies stills seem pale and doughy on the surface.

Cool the cookies completely on the sheet pan before transferring to a plate or an airtight container or tin for storage. At room temp, cookies will keep fresh 5 days. In the freezer, cookies will keep fresh 1 month.

Yield: 15 6oz cookies and theee best dough eveeerrr...

Kindness of Anderson and Kelly for Sunday's detox shakes and the severe penance I will be paying all week at the gym for my cookie dough indulging. My guilt has led me to fall victim to the P90X infomercial...XXOO

16 February, 2010

Fenwick Island Mountaineer And Explorer George Washington Rockefeller

Sunday morning, pioneer man Pilge ventured out to tackle uncharted (and undusted) territory...

A witness reported seeing the ascent which went from Camp I, the counter top, to Camp II, North Face of the fridge, to the peak atop the cabinets...

Knowing the oxygen was limited at this elevation...

He made the most of his time at the beach house summit...

He had dreamed of this moment for months...

Mapping the expedition...

Dreaming of this moment of triumph...

But, they say you start to loose brain cells at this elevation and your decision making becomes hindered. Especially if your Sherpa's distracted with the documentation, mistakes will be made...

And, you may end up with a busted lip on your way back down. But, battle scars are worth their weight in lesson learned gold...

At least for an hour anyway...

Kindness of Daddy for boning up on his Pilgie catching skills in the future so Mummy doesn't have to choke back tears when the descent goes awry...XXOO

15 February, 2010

Happy President's Day To Me

Technically, it is a collective birthday of sorts. And, birthdays usually involve gifts...

And, although Christopher Columbus has his own day in October and was not a president, he does qualify as an historical figure. And, if no one's around to accept the gesture of a gift...


I'm just saying...

Kindness of our great country's pioneering fathers. If I give credit to any of the ones still living I lose my excuse to accept on "behalf of"...XXOO

12 February, 2010

This Valentine's Dedication Goes Out To Queen Bee Swain

Just in time for Valentines, Katie at Queen Bee Swain bestowed upon me the "Sweet Heart Tag" requesting the story of how Babe and I met and fell in love. Well Katie, if you met Babe, the "how" portion of the question would become a moot point...

It was my first day as Crew Chief of Crew 8 on the Ocean City Beach Patrol. I sent down to the guard on my right to come sit my radio while I went to lunch. When he approached my stand I thought to myself, "who is this goofball?", just as he was thinking to himself, "who is this lady with braces?"... (me seated in the center, Babe seated in front of me and the rest of our Crew)

Day two, while pulled back in pouring rain, I opened our initial conversation with the question, "if money was no object, what car would you buy?". Weeelll turns out, that question is music to a guy's ears. Fortunately, his answer, 1998 Porsche 911 Twin Turbo, was music to mine. We became fast friends... (moi in the blue, Babe second from left and the crew goofing around post competition)

When you spend a couple summers, in nothing but a bathing suit, guarding one of the most treacherous stretches of beach in town, you really come to know a person. And, I think we saw in each other kindred drives, desires and faith. Plus, he is theee funniest person I have ever met in my life! I think my abs were so insane during that time from all the laughing we did... (me seated in blue, Babe second in from the right and the rest of our Crew 8 family)

And, even though I'm frequently in the doghouse for my less than conservative spending and, he's Oscar to my Felix, the laughter has remained a constant...

We've weathered long distance, a significant age difference, Medical School annnd my brief moment of insanity when I decided to test drive being a brunette...

And, just like Kelly Ripa has her tattoo to remind her of a not so brilliant decision, I have my wedding pics. Luckily for me, the best choice I ever made supersedes the not so attractive one...

Kindness of Queen Bee Swain who deserves a Sweet Heart Tag herself. Who doesn't love her? And, Babe for being the best Valentine a gal could ever wish for...XXOO

11 February, 2010

The Pink Kidskin Gloves Are Coming Off

Yesterday was the intended wrap up for all things pink but, I'm snowbound, yet again, and it's either virtual shopping or real shopping. I can tell ya, Babe opts for the former...

I am dying to set up a private appointment with Sissy Yates for a serious perusal of her gorgeous jewelry designs. Til then, I'd feel pretty darn confident with these as my sight unseen plunge. Fingers crossed that I can convince her to get her infamous sister, Ally Wentworth, to sign my copy of The Wasp Cookbook post purchase!

Do I really need a holiday excuse to add to the collection? I think not...

I know a certain Furman sophomore that will be quite happy to hear that the pink Wellies are back in stock. I know her favorite Aunt is thrilled...

Two days, that's all I want. Two days, The Atlantis, Babe and I, and sun up til sun down, world class water sliding, with periodic Nobu breaks. We'll be sooo exhausted at night we won't care that we are less than enthusiastic over the accommodations and that the only food I can tolerate there is the sushi...

The bff is in mourning over these Jules Reid pink trousers which she forgot to take under consideration prior to her insane commitment to a year of no purchases. Bryan, are ya listening? Gifts received don't count...

Stalking Ethan Drath of Sherman Pickey and his Lilly Pulitzer cuff links spied on Facebook. My Machiavellian plan involves tracking them down and presenting them to Babe under the guise of a Valentine's gift. Here's where I twirl the tip of my mustache between my thumb and forefinger while laughing diabolically...

Ahhh yes, the elusive Hermes beach towel. ♫Onnne daaay my prince will come...♪

Kindness of moi for not making a single purchase while trapped in the beach house weathering the blizzard. Unfortunately, I am not fairing as well in the chocolate intake department...XXOO

10 February, 2010

More Pink Ladies

One more round of pink goodies then I'm off to track down the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, which debuted today, before I'm snowbound yet again...

But, for now I'll just picture my own SI layout involving me, this Melissa Odabash Antigua bikini and a return to trip to la playa Mexicana in a few weeks...

The iconic Dorothy Draper to add some pink to your bookshelf as recommended by the chic Tory Burch...

These sweet Meg Carter studs are just screaming, "pair me with a Ralph Lauren cashmere sweater and post south of the border tan!"...

There was a lot of chatter over my Smython of Bond Street passport cover a couple of weeks ago which, is actually a discontinued style. But, honestly I prefer the new hot pink version to mine. Babe just went on high alert at that statement...

A couple of pink options in CKB's new wide ribbon belt offering...

About fifteen years ago, I was with my friend Dorli when she ran into her pal Kelly Klein in the checkout line at the Wellington Publix. She is beyond gorg in person and I took particular note of her rosy pink cheeks. Kelly later divulged to a mag that the only makeup she wore was FACE Stockholm highlighter in Radiance (boo-hiss...pic of that color not avail). It officially became part of my repertoire, natch...

The good thing about these Roberta Roller Rabbit jammies is that they also come in matching adult sizes so you can match your preppy minnie. I own this pink elephant pair and they are just as cute on me as they are on Miss Affleck here...

Total teaser here but, I stumbled upon this giant ball of pink pony elastics through a site listed on someones blog. Unfortunately, I can not recall where. Anyone? Anyone?

*Maryland Pink and Green logged in first thing this morn with the A. Tierney link for the pink pony balls. Lucky for us, her twincesses are fans. Merci Bethany!

This Deborah Lippmann Makin' Whoopee hot pink polish makes me wish I liked mani's and pedi's (I know, quelle horreur!)...

I need another scarf like I need a hole in my head but, if I were to get another one...

And, lastly how precious is this hand painted pink polka dot crayfish found on faithful follower Grayson Saige? Unfortunately, it makes me want a beach cottage even more and that comes with a slightly larger price tag...

Kindness of Babe who is giving me permission to head back to Mexico for another week of fun in the sun for my Valentines. And, possibly a new pink bikini to go with? XXOO