Whooo Hooo! It is Super Bowl Weekend! Second only to Christmas and the Academy Awards (Feb. 27, if you were wondering). The most fun time for everyone to get together, eat, drink and holler at the television.
Everyone is coming to our house this year and we have asked everyone to bring an appetizer to share and some booze. You need booze for a good Super Bowl party. Just ask Don Draper.
Or, you could ask our resident NYC party-girl-about-town, Esther, who is always coming up with the tastiest cocktails. This time they are hilariously named after players from both the Packers and the Steelers. Just in time for Sunday.
If you live in Georgia, please remember to buy your libations on Saturday. When are they going to lift these blue laws already?
The nice folks from Beater Blade sent me this fab new bowl to try for mixing.
They sent me the sassy red model – to match the ribbons on my kitchen curtains. Red makes everything feel happier!
So, how does it work? Its curved sides keep batter (or icing, or meringue – you get the idea) from flying all over your just-cleaned kitchen. Remember Uncle Matt making birthday cupcakes for Eric’s birthday in the mountains? This could have been avoided if he had the Mixer Mate. Although we did get a great laugh out of the chocolate covered kitchen.
It takes just a smidge of getting used to. I had to find the right configuration for my mixer. But that could just because I am left-handed and everything seems a little backwards to me. But once you get the hang of it, you will be hooked. It even has grippy material underneath the handles for easy gripping and sides with spouts for simple pouring. Oh, I just love it.
And I have been giving it a workout lately. I made a cake yesterday for sweet Shane’s birthday last night and another cake today for dear friend Kerry’s birthday – lemon curd layer cake with a fluffy 7 minute frosting. Mmmmm. I will post photos and details from both parties next week. Today I am grappling with a bit of a head cold. And it’s Friday? Why not get a cold on Monday so I could be better for the weekend? Ah, it’s okay. I needed to slow down, lay on the couch, read and cuddle the dogs anyway.
Usually I feature a product or place on Friday, but I’m in a grilled cheese kind of mood.
I’ve only become proficient at making these beauties in the past few years. Before that, I would always burn the bread and end up with cheese that wasn’t melty, stringy and delicious.
But no more. If you find yourself with unmelty, unstringy and not quite right grilled cheese, worry no longer. I am here to help. And it’s easy.
Photo courtesy of The Glam Society at Blogspot
First, make sure your butter is softened. I would say at room temperature, but in the winter, at least at my house, that would mean rock hard. If you have a microwave, you might zap it for just a few seconds or let it sit on a warm stove for a bit. Spread the outsides of your bread with your softened butter and move on to the cheese.
Second, use grated cheese. Grate it fresh if you have to. I adore Jarlsberg for my grilled cheese and feel that the extra effort to grate a hunk of it worthy of the perfect sandwich. Grated cheese is going to melt up much easier than sliced cheese. Trust me on this. Almost all cheese will work for grilled cheese, except maybe parmesan.
Stove temperature – I set the burner to medium, melt a little more butter in the pan and when it warms up, place my bread buttered side down into the pan. Now, take a mound of your grated cheese and heap it on top, followed by the second piece of bread – buttered side up. Give the sammie a few minutes, pry up the bottom with a spatula and if it looks brown, turn the whole shebang over to grill the other side. This can be tricky, so don’t be afraid to use your fingers to hold the top piece in place. Just don’t burn yourself. Owie! Give it another few minutes on the second side and voila, you have yourself a tasty treat.
I have to admit that a very guilty pleasure of mine is grilled peanut butter and jelly. Don’t scoff. If you have never tried this, you are missing out. So go on over to the pantry and pull out the pb&j and give it a try.
Happy Weekend!!
xoxo, Patti
Today blogging to Little Chris Moyles Show – Brand New Cheesy Song
Still iced in here in Atlanta, but we have plenty of food and wine. It could be worse.
Plus, the Golden Globes are on Sunday! I love awards shows, and the Golden Globes by far is my favorite. All the stars are drinking at the event, so you have no clue what they may say in their speeches, making for a hilarious evening. Plus, you can enjoy it in your pajamas, with a drink in hand, hollering at the television set. Which I personally enjoy.
My friends in NYC, Esther and Katie, sent me these recipes for adult beverages that have 2010 movie themes. I love it! Click here for these special drinks!
Well, I’m not sure what CSN stands for, but they have everything! From leather messenger bags to large appliances and everything in between. And, they have been so kind to offer one of my adorable readers a $65 gift card to use as you wish. Merry Christmas!! Just leave a comment and I will pick a winner on Monday, so you don’t have too wait long.
Lets take a look at some of the goodies (one for you, one for me! and maybe one as a gift…or not, your choice).
I know it’s cold outside, but how about pretending it’s spring inside with this gorgeous robin egg’s blue pasta bowl by iitala Teema?
iitala's Teema Pasta Bowl - $17.00
And to feel uber chic while sipping soup, hot chocolate or a late afternoon latte, how about this fabulous set of 6 Venice Soup Cups by Ten Strawberry Street?
Pretend you are Sophia Loren and look super glam. Set of 6, $38.94
Oh, I know you will love this next one. Again, from Ten Strawberry Street, these black and white striped cereal bowls will have you clamoring to eat the most important meal of the day. Love love love!
Set of 6, $38.74. Um, Santa, are you listening?
And for those of you throwing a little ‘do at the homestead for New Year’s Eve, how about an electric fondue set? You don’t have to worry about the little candle going out and gooping up all your cheese. Or chocolate. I don’t judge. This one is from Cuisinart, so you know it’s going to be swell.
Cuisinart Electric Fondue Set $54.95
Did you know that tradition dictates that if you drop something into the fondue you must kiss every guest of the opposite sex at the party or buy them the next round of drinks? Isn’t that a fun fact?
Okay, my sweeties, comment away. I can’t believe I’m giving this away and not keeping it for myself, but that’s how much I love you.
xoxo, Patti
Today blogging to Mariah Carey – Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
Leave it to our girl-about-town, Caren West, to come up with something to warm you up and something to cool you down, at the same venue. Tonight.
What? There’s an opening in your party going schedule? Let me help you pencil something in for tonight.
Yacht Rock. That’s right. Yacht Rock. You know, cover bands that do all the fun music from the 1970s. Like Christopher Cross and Seals & Crofts and whatever else was popular back in the day. It’s fun! And…you can get all cooled off before the show by ice skating at Park Tavern.
Honey, we’ve got you covered. Miss Caren, details please!
PARK TAVERN HOSTS THE SECOND ANNUAL YACHT ROCK HOLIDAY SPECIAL ON FRIDAY, DECEMBER 10TH
Featuring Three Levels of Entertainment and Performances from the Yacht Rock Revue, Yacht Rock Schooner and DJ MP3PO
Atlanta, Georgia (November 29, 2010) – The second annual Yacht Rock Holiday Special will be held at Park Tavern in Piedmont Park on Friday, December 10, 2010. Revelers are invited to attend an early show at 8 p.m. or late night bash at 10 p.m. The festive evening featuresthree levels of live entertainment including the Yacht Rock Revue, fireside performances by the Yacht Rock Schooner, ice skating at The Rink with DJ MP3PO, and the PleaseRock Carolizers! Two cans of food for the Atlanta Community Food Bank will get guests a picture with Santa at the Mixtape Atlanta photo booth. Advance tickets are available for $20 for both the 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. shows at https://www.xorbia.com/rsvp/yachtrock/extravaganza/tickets.cfm.
This should be a blast – go on, buy some tickets. You know you want to…
Whew, this week has been a whirlwind of parties – and we have not even started the weekend. Last night found Eric and me at a palatial mansion in Buckhead where every real estate fantasy was brought to life and Tuesday night I was lucky enough to be Kerry Howard’s date for the Callanwolde Christmas preview party. Incredible.
My dear friend Kerry was chosen to design the dining room and oh, what an amazing job he did! No detail was overlooked. The room was bathed in lush blue and champagne colors, accented by a gorgeous large print by Artaissance and framed by our friends at Larson-Juhl. Two huge trees flank the end of dining room (one of which fell over during the night and Kerry had to redecorate all over again, with unflappable grace, I might add). The fabulous furnishings were supplied by The Foundry (formerly World of Rugs and also our party hosts from last night’s shindig), with lots of Kerry details and beautiful orchids. It is the house show stopper and the first room you notice when you enter the mansion.
The preview party was all about fun. And boy, did we have fun. The food was incredible (catered by Affairs to Remember), lots of lovely libations, a live band and dancing, an organist playing Christmas tunes and just the most lovely setting imaginable.
My new friend, Bret Love, is a member of this cool improv group here in Atlanta. Don’t you get tired of doing the same old thing every weekend? Here’s your chance to mix it up a little bit and have some fun!
Stop! Improv Time!
December shows will be FREE with the donation of a new, unwrapped toy for the Atlanta Union Mission:
WHO: Improv Monster
WHAT: A troupe of Atlanta’s finest improv comedy veterans inspired by different performing artists every week
WHEN: Thursday nights at 8PM
WHERE: Relapse Theatre, 380 14th St NW, Atlanta, GA 30318. Call 404-541-9911 for more info.
WHY: Because it’s one of the city’s funniest and most innovative improv shows, and tickets are only $10 ($5 w/student ID)
• • • • • • •
What is IMPROV MONSTER? Imagine the irreverence of early Saturday Night Live, the colorful characters of Christopher Guest’s best work (Waiting For Guffman, Best In Show), and the madcap improvised mayhem of the Upright Citizens Brigade. Now imagine it performed live and unscripted by Atlanta’s best improvised theatre veterans, and you have Jackpie’s IMPROV MONSTER.
Co-directed by Jackpie Theatre founder Jim Karwisch and John Sexton, IMPROV MONSTER takes its inspiration from different guest artists every week, whose performances provide the source material for their long-form improvised scene-work. Recent sources have included burlesque troupes, circus acts, standup comedians, poets and musicians. Together, IMPROV MONSTER and their guests forge a unique artistic fusion unlike anything the Atlanta improv scene has ever seen.
In December the show’s theme will be Holiday Stories, with guests including Santa Sam Smith (Dec 2), the cast of Actors Express’ “Every Christmas Story Ever Told” (Dec 9) and
Kara Cantrell of Stone Mountain Christmas (Dec 16).
“Improv Monster makes Saturday Night Live look like entertainment for daycare kiddies. I read my poems, and they took my poems and ran with them, expanding them and finding the humor in them. The audience loved it. You will love Improv Monster!” –Poet Mikel K
Looks like they give out hugs, too!
xoxo, Patti
Today blogging to Happy Tree Friends – Don’t Make Me Laugh
When I first received a press release from the lovely folks at Eco-logic about their new line of cookware, Beka, all I could think about was the first line from Sir Mix A Lot’s video, Baby Got Back….”Oh my Gawd, Becky…”. Now all I can think about is how I can get more of this green cookware. Nothing sticks to these pans. I have been frying eggs every morning for Eric and me, just so I can enjoy this cookware with the non-stick ceramic coating. Fried rice? No problem. Sticky reductions? Wipe it perfectly clean with a paper towel after you use it. Caramel sauce? Pffft…fuggedaboutit, you’re good. You don’t need extra butter to help with the non-stick, you don’t need anything except the food that goes into the pan.
Oh.My.Gawd, Becky, they have a whole line of pans!
I’m sure you would like to know the specifics here, so let’s see what our friend Jo, from DHA Lifestyle, has to say about my new best friend, the Beka cookware.
Traditional non-stick coatings are made with polytetraflourethylene or PTFE. When heated to over 400 degrees Fahrenheit pans coated with this material can give off-gas releasing over a dozen potentially harmful materials. But even more hazardous is the artificial acid PFOA, also known as C8, used in the manufacturing process. Known to cause birth defects in animals, workers and surrounding communities may be exposed to dangerous levels of this carcinogen in the production of PTFE.
To prevent this hazard Beka created a super tough ceramic coating called Bekadura. This non-stick surface makes cooking and cleaning a snap without any of the environmental concerns presented by other materials. The bond between Bekadura and Eco-logic’s super hard aluminum is so strong that the company guarantees the surface for three years.
All I know is that it’s good for the environment and not one thing sticks to it. I may never use another pan except this again.
This is making the gift guide list 2010. Um, Jo, if you were wondering what this blogger might love for Christmas….
The lovely fellows over at the AFFPS (that’s Atlanta Foundation for Public Spaces), have asked me to come aboard as their PR and Partnerships Director. Isn’t that swell? Not only do they have a fab gallery in Decatur, but they are the folks responsible for that fantastic open market at Atlantic Station each weekend. I have picked up several darling trinkets for myself between checking out the sales at Old Navy and The Gap.
The Chastain Park Arts Festival opens tonight with a screening of “Grease” on the park lawn. Pack up all your Pink Ladies and head on over with your cozy blankets for a fun singalong in the park at 6 p.m.
Saturday morning you and your furry best friend can join in the pet parade at 10:30 a.m. Be sure to bring your own coffee mug for $1.00 refills! There is live music to enjoy as you take in all the marvelous art. You will also be able to see some of the artists at work (something you don’t see at many festivals). And maybe pick up a few Christmas gifts while you are at it (or maybe something gorgeous for yourself!)
Come by and say hi to me in the morning, or if you have other plans on Saturday, you can always catch the festival on Sunday until 5 p.m. I’ll be there both days for a bit.
