Well I got here at eight and I'll be here till two I'll try my best to entertain you

A little Tom Waits for the evening.

The Superchunk show is Saturday! And I just found out that Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band and Thomas Wynn & The Believers are playing a show here. All of this makes me sooo happy.

This year, my friend Sarah and her husband invited me over to help host their
Thanksgiving dinner.
It was a huge success and everything was delicious.

But I know what a prince and a lover ought to be.

New goal.
Set aside time to blog. I enjoy blogging. I like talking about crap to the interspace. Things that I do instead of blogging that I do not enjoy? Cleaning the bathroom, taking out the garbage, sleeping, running errands for others and working.

I have the same excuse as always. I've been so busy. Ever since I switched jobs, I've had no spare time. I work 5-7 day work weeks, I've had extra activities outside of work pulling my attention, and my hours have only increased at work. I'll try to update more. I promise.

The reason why this post is even happening is to post a recipe for some friends. Duh.

I made Andes mint cookies. Really, I just used a chocolate chip recipe and crushed Andes mints. Just to find out they sell bags of them already crushed. Dammit. Oh well, they were yummy!

Andes Mint Cookies

You'll need:
1/2 cup (1stick) butter melted
3/4 cup packed dark brown sugar
3/4 cup white sugar
2 large eggs
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
2 1/4 cup all purpose flour
3/4 tsp fine salt
12 oz of andes mints (or whatever you want!!)

What to do:

1. Preheat oven to 375 F
2. Let melted butter cool slightly. Whisk sugars, eggs, butter and vanilla in a large bowl until smooth
3. Whisk flour, baking soda and salt into a small bowl. Stir dry into wet with a wooden spoon. Don't over mix! This is where things can go cakey. Stir in andes mints, or whatever you chose.
4. Line baking sheets with parchment paper. Roll tablespoon sized balls and place two inches apart on the pan. Bake until cookies are golden in color but soft in the center, 12-16 minutes depending on how you like your cookies. Cool on rack.

I recently came across an amazing Amish white bread recipe. I was searching for the perfect recipe for a few years now, and so far this is my favorite.

Amish White Bread

What you'll need:
2 cups warm water 110 F
2/3 cup white sugar
1 1/2 tbsp active dry yeast
1 1/2 tsp salt
1/4 cup vegetable oil
6 cups of bread flour



What to do:

1. In a large bowl, dissolve sugar in the warm water and then stir in the yeast. Let the yeast "proof". It should resemble a creamy yellow foam.
   
2. Mix salt and oil into the yeast. Mix in flour one cup at a time. Once mixed, knead dough on a lightly floured surface until smooth. Place in a well oiled bowl and turn dough to coat. Cover with a damp cloth and allow to rise in a warm spot. It should double in size in about an hour.
3. Punch dough down, turn on to a floured surface and knead for a few minutes. Divide in half and shape into loaves and place in two oiled 9x5 in loaf pans. Allow to rise for 30 minutes or until dough has risen above pans.
   
4. Bake at 350F for 30 minutes.

If I have my way, you'll be hearing from me very soon. Maybe even later tonight.

Huh, I'd like to meet his tailor.

Geesh Louise. I have been so damn busy. What can I catch you up on?
-Dragon Con was amazing. Of course.
-I'm trying to plan a trip to Alabama to visit a fella. Pay attention, I will be mentioning fella again.
-I'm also trying to plan a trip to Tennessee to go visit some friends. {And see just how much I love it up there ;) }
-We redid our movie list. I think I'll type it up and post it here.
-Our household is having a halloween party this year. I'm super stoked and nervous all at the same time. Everyone is pretty up in the air about their plans. I invited 200 people and 25 have responded with a solid yes. About 40 no's and the rest all maybes. Ha ha ha. Oh boy.
-MOTHERF*CKING SUPERCHUNK IS COMING TO TAMPA!!!!
-Next Friday I will be going to see Lucero and Social Distortion as well!!!

So, I've been making two care packages. One for the couple in Tennessee and the other for a fella in Alabama. Tennessee couple made it easy on me, I made them each a scarf, some kick ass Star Wars coasters, cashew brittle, candied orange peels and postcards. Then I decided to make one for Alabama fella. How about we just call him Alabama for now? He does civil war re-enactments, so I knit him a long wool scarf in his federal gray, made a sleeping cap for his snowy away "battles", a finger puppet Thor, cashew brittle and hot chai powder with a big bag of mini marshamllows. I'm happy with my choices. Here's the thing, I've recently started talking with him on a regular basis again and I'm pretty surprised by the results. I really enjoy talking to him and get butterflies when it's his name on my phone. I really missed that feeling. It's a shame he lives 11 hours away.

But these care packages make me craft more things, so I'm going to continue to find reasons to send them. I've been really excited trying to figure out what to send in which package and what to make or bake. I like having stuff to look forward to.

This looks like a good stopping point. I'll be back.

Welcome to the Blog-o-sphere Megan!!!
{ I miss watching movies with you. I miss having you under one foot with the cat under the other watching over my cooking and baking. I miss doing stupid craft shit till four am. I do miss you. ::Kissy Face::}
But I'm trying to worm a long weekend off from my employer.

DC comics and chocolate milkshakes, I guess I'm just developing late.

The first five minutes after I hit the new post button, I sit here and try to figure where to start. To be honest, I've never been great with words. If I need to get a point or a feeling across I use body language, emotions, facial expressions and broken sentences. I understand it isn't the most effective way, but my friends seem to get it. So now that my babble flow has been loosened, let's get this shit started.

Dragon*Con is only 45 days away... I haven't purchased my plane ticket yet. Shame shame. Also, I *technically* have zero costumes finished. I'm hoping that Doctor Strange will finish itself one of these days while I'm at work. My riddler has some progress.
Would you like to see what an unfinished riddler dress looks like? What about if girl in said dress is a hussy and didn't think to put a tank top on underneath? I'm still hoping your answer is yes. (Perry, I know your answer)I know it's lacking in... flair. But I was just so damn proud that I finished the base. Now to paint a bunch of glitter question marks and tweak a few hem lines. Taking pictures of yourself proves to be pretty difficult as well.

Guinness cupcakes with Jameson filling and Bailey's buttercream icing? Do I have your attention? Good. They were a huge hit! Slightly alcoholic and very moist. Just a warning, if you don't like whiskey you may want to skip that part. Another hint: Leave your Guinness out for a while to bring it to room temp it will make the mixing a little easier. If it's cold it will solidify your melted butter :(

(My camera is very very....broken. So you will be getting iPhone pictures till further notice)

GUINNESS STOUT CUPCAKES

Ingredients:

• ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa
• 2 cups sugar
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• Pinch fine salt
• 1 bottle stout beer (recommended: Guinness)
• 1 stick butter, melted
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 3 large eggs
• ¾ cup sour cream

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the cocoa, sugar, flour, baking soda, and salt.
3. In another medium mixing bowl, combine the stout, melted butter, and vanilla. Beat in eggs, 1 at time. Mix in sour cream until thoroughly combined and smooth. Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet mixture.
4. Lightly grease 24 muffin tins. Divide the batter equally between muffin tins, filling each ¾ full. Bake for about 12 minutes and then rotate the pans. Bake another 12 to 13 minutes until risen, nicely domed, and set in the middle but still soft and tender. Cool before turning out.

BAILEY’S IRISH CREAM BUTTERCREAM FROSTING

Ingredients:

• 1 stick unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 3 cups powdered sugar
• 2 tablespoons (maybe more) Bailey’s Irish Cream

Directions:

1. Cream the butter on high speed for approximately 3 minutes.
2. Add the Bailey’s and mix thoroughly. Slowly add the powdered sugar until well blended.
3. If necessary, add more Bailey’s to thin or more sugar to thicken it to desired texture.

Now if I was a true foodie blogger, I would've paid attention to my measurements when it came to mixing the Jameson filling. I would start with about a cup and a half of powdered sugar and drizzle the the Jameson in until you get your desired consistency. TaDa!

You can use a spoon or an icing tip to dig out the center of the cupcake to make a little dip to fill with ooey gooey boozey stuff. Or just drizzle the stuff on top of the cupcakes. You may want to put down some waxed paper before hand.

It's nearing the earlier 3 am mark... and I just remembered. I forgot to take The Hurt Locker back to the redbox. Balls. Well, good evening. Or to some, good morning. Till then.

I found the safest place to keep all our tenderness. Keep all those bad ideas. Keep all our hope.

I've been on a Weakerthans kick today. "Favourite Chords" gets me everytime. Sometimes I cry, sometimes I smile. My irish ska musical itch is still hanging around.... I think I just needed a softer break.
The riddler dress is almost finished! Most of the sewing was knocked out today. Just a few hems and question mark placing and painting. I'm having a hard time with Dr. Strange's chaps. It's my first time trying to make a "chaps" style pant let alone, a pair without a pattern.
Today, I found a recipe for truly alcoholic cupcakes. Irish style. They're Guinness cupcakes with Bailey's buttercream and Jameson filling. As long as I have the energy and the free time, I think I'll tackle them either Friday night after work or Saturday evening. Here's to hoping!
Well, I've managed to do very little on my day off, which was my goal. I watched Nine (Daniel Day Lewis not Elijah Wood). Very interesting! I love musicals and lurved the costume design. Pretty simple and a little cheesy. That all works for me. For the later part of the evening, I've been watching first season Buffy the Vampire Slayer on Logo network while sewing. While I don't mind the logo network not even a little, I do mind looking up to see men with beautiful beards kissing other men. Dammit. You lovely gay men keep the clean cut ones, leave me the bearded ones. Thank you.

My bed is calling to me, my work day tomorrow is heckling me so maybe I should try for sleep. Internet, I bid you adieu.

Till next time.

I never travel far without a little Big Star.

I hate to make excuses, but I've been just too darn busy to do anything interesting. I dyed my hair, made a few patterns and cut out all of my pieces for my costumes for Dragon*Con. My costume list is quite short this year. I'm flying to Atlanta for Con and I would like for everything to fit in my one suitcase. The costume tally so far includes two femme style comic book fellas and my usual Dolores Umbridge. I've started on femme Doctor Strange and I'm already questioning the skin to fabric ratio. When is too little? When is too much? Oh well, at least clothing is optional there. I'm really excited about my femme Riddler. I'm assuming I'm going with a 50's style take. Really, I'm about painting question marks. That, and figuring out how to construct folding specter. Please let it include a soldering iron.
I haven't even touched my oven for baking intentions in two months. Once in those two months for crab legs. Things have been so hectic which does not leave room for rolling out pie dough. Damn shame, too.
Oh!!! Lucero and Social Distortion are coming to town in November. What're two of my five weaknesses? If you said beards and whiskey voices you are correct. I don't want to wait, but I will.

I think I may have rambled on just enough for this post. Here's to hoping the next post has depth!
Till then.

Hey you, with the pretty face, welcome to the human race.

I've always liked the ideas of blogs and online journals, even back in livejournal and angelfire days. I follow more than my share on a daily basis, so I figured, hey why can't I have my own? At first I created a baking blog, then a crafting blog, then an album and live show review blog, then an all around geek blog. All of the said blogs were either forgotten or accidentally deleted except for this one. Instead of racking my poor brain for single theme, I decided...well... fuck it. I'm going to write what I want to write about. If the new National album hasn't left my headphones, you'll hear about it. If I sew a new skirt that I wear while trying out a new apple pie recipe, that's what you're getting. If I want to dedicate my recent post to my new roller derby bruise, you're getting pictures.

So, here's to keeping up with this one. Raises glass...

Till then