Running With Scissors

Official Blog Beverage

Look what my brother and sister-in-law sent me:

Need a closer look?

The official beverage of my blog.

And I'm really glad I don't have to name my blog after the unofficial blog beverage, Coke Zero.

Thank-you so much Rich and Pauline!

Alcohol is the Devil

I am in Northern California entertaining my friend Wendi while she undergoes treatment for cancer. Apparently I am doing a stellar job because today I have the mother of all hangovers. Besides downing a considerable amount of wine we also signed my pal up for Facebook and sent friend invitations to everyone in the known universe including Charlie Sheen.

The rest of the evening is kind of blurry, but it must have been interesting because I woke up with my hair so tangled that I had flashbacks to the summer my mom gave me a pixie cut because she couldn't face trying to drag a brush through my hair one more day. I was 38 at the time. Okay, I was 7, but the trauma is still fresh.

I've narrowed it down to three possible activities that could have produced my medusa-like locks:

1. I may have been attempting some break dancing. This is entirely possible because I am an excellent dancer when under the influence. Maybe not excellent. Enthusiastic is a better word. Enthusiastic and extremely uncoordinated.

 

2. I could have found a spider monkey wandering the halls of the hotel and encouraged him to construct a nest on my head. I think the Marriott is known for monkeys in the halls.

 

3. I have watched so many episodes of the Jersey Shore that I was channeling my inner Snooki and attempted a little poof action.

Personally, I think it was the monkey.

The Official Wine of This Blog

Of course there is a Running With Scissors  wine for every palate.  Chardonnay down -- Merlot, Cab, Petite Sirah, and Pinot yet to taste. I'm willing to do this for you, my blog readers, because I care.

They're Here! They're Here!

It's that wonderful time of year -- Honeycrisp apple season! I am a big fan of these sweet, tart, super-crisp apples.  Run out to your grocery store and pick some up before the much-too-short season is over.

Warning: Brand New Teenager in the Family

Richard and his family were in town from Arizona last week and we got to celebrate Allie's 13th birthday with her. We had pizza and smores around the campfire -- some of my favorite foods and favorite people. I brought the birthday cake -- a different version of Casey's Oreo cake -- Allie's a vanilla girl. I used this Blondie recipe from Smitten Kitchen and vanilla buttercream frosting for the filling. It was good. Really good.

 
I added butterscotch chips to the recipe -- they tasted yummy but looked a little weird.

Allie's sister Jess was so impressed with the cake that she asked for one for her birthday. Actually, she just wants frosting.  A girl after my own heart. We could just serve it in little shot glasses like they do at Sprinkles.

Pizza and two desserts -- now that's a party.

Don't Say I Never Give You Anything

Hustle on over to the P.F. Chang's website and get a coupon for a free Soothing Lettuce Wraps appetizer with the purchase of any entree.  Charlie hates that they call them soothing. Whatever. They are goooood.

The promotion is to celebrate Briny Baird's spectacular chip shot from the top of the Omni Hotel into Petco Park. There's a video on the P.F. Chang's website.

So order some Chang's Spicy Chicken and get your Lettuce Wraps for free on me (and Briny).

Everybody Needs A Little Puffy

Cousin Janice requested the recipe for the Fabulous Egg Puffy we had on Mom's Day, so I thought I'd share it here. The recipe is from my mother-in-law, the delightful G. G.:

Egg Puffy (AKA Mexican Quiche)

1/2 cup butter
10 eggs
2 4-oz cans green chiles, diced
1 teaspoon baking powder
dash of salt
2 cups cottage cheese
1 pound Monterey Jack cheese, shredded

Preheat over to 400 degrees. Melt butter in 9" X 12" Pyrex (or reasonable facsimile) pan.
In a large bowl, beat eggs lightly. Add flour, baking powder and salt. Blend thoroughly.  Mix in melted butter, chiles, cottage cheese and Jack cheese. Pour into pan and bake for 15 minutes. Reduce heat and to 350 degrees and bake for 35 to 40 minutes more. Cut in squares and serve with salsa, if desired. Reheats well.

Easy, tasty and puffy -- what more could you want?

Puff Mommy

The title should probably be Puff Daddy since Charlie made this delicious Egg Puffy to celebrate Mothers Day, but I hate P. Diddly and it is Moms Day after all.

We had my parents over for brunch and served the aforementioned Puffy (a treasured recipe passed down by another fabulous mom, my mother in law, Glenda), Maple Scones adapted from a Barefoot Contessa recipe (love you, Ina), fruit salad, and bacon.  Tomorrow, I diet.

We Do So Have Seasons

 
It's fall here in Southern California, as you can tell by my banner. Yes, we have changing leaves and everything right here in my front yard. We also have football. This  is my nephew Benjamin who plays the most awesome position in the game -- kicker. You get to score points and not get dirty -- perfect! Casey, of course, does not feel this is the best use of Benjamin's talents. He thinks his cousin is a better receiver, a better tackler (is that a word?), just a better player than anyone on the team and should be out there playing every second. The coaches wisely feel it is more important to protect "The Toe" so he can just do what he does best. His mother and I agree.

Another Day, Another Obsession

Today's (and yesterday's and last week's) obsession are the French Breakfast Puffs from ThePioneerWoman.com (I would link you, but I still can't get the linky thing to work). Oh. My. God. They are addicting. I promised Charlie after the fourth or fifth batch that I would wait a week before I made any more. I lasted three days. I can't help myself. I am helpless before their buttery, sugary, cinnaminny goodness. I came home after my walk and promptly made another batch. I told myself I would give half to my parents. But I lied. They're  mine. All mine. And I'm keeping them all.

To find the recipe, go over to thepioneerwoman.com and her recipes are under the "cooking" tab. Try to resist, I dare you.