Making Peanut Butter Cookies

Simon and Erinn worked on their kitchen skills together last weekend by making some Oatmeal Peanut Butter Cookies. Simon uses a Learning Tower to get up to counter level.


Got our "meez" all set up. Nice and neat.


"We should do a little taste test just to make sure this peanut butter is fresh."


"That spoon is only hindering my peanut butter intake. Maybe if I switch to the gift God gave me, I'll be able to get more."


"Seems fresh, but maybe that's just the top layer."


"For better leverage I'll need both hands for this job."


"There's more in the pantry, right?"


"What were we making again?"

Pittsburgh!

Just got back from Pittsburgh and I challenge anyone to name a city that has more nicknames than Pittsburgh. During my whirlwind trip, I saw Pittsburgh called: "Steel City", "Iron City", "City of Bridges", "Three Rivers", "City of Champions", "The 'burgh", "Future City" (I don't get that one. I guess they're trying to distance themselves from other corroded Rust Belt cities.

The one nickname that I didn't see, but would recommend "The Jowly City." I saw more jowly, burly dudes there than I have anywhere else, except maybe a Vegas hotel.


We landed with 60 mph gusts and 30 degrees. Not quite a joy ride.


Onto the City Theatre, where we're putting on show for the next few weeks.

Here's the set:

Left side.


Right side.

The show went great. Can't wait to bring it Austin. Hopefully next year. Had most of the next day to explore the South Side of Pittsburgh. First off, here's the view from the door of the building looking out:




Sweet, it's coming in sideways. Just like mom used to make.

Walked down to the river. Well, one of em anyway.


What a sad, empty case of Miller Lite sitting in the street. I actually saw a lot of empties littering the streets. I guess that's what happens when the Steelers keep losing.


Here's me saying "Snow? Really?"
If you listen close, you can hear my mom saying "Where's your jacket, Andrew?"
It's back in my room, mom. I left it there. On purpose.


Oh man, NOW you tell me? Where was this sign when I was taking a quick dip in the Monongahela.


I love rolls! Even more when they're good quality.


My dad likes visiting churches when he's out of town. I like visiting sports stadiums. This one looked cold.

Plus it was next to this:

An awesome looking high school that was closed down. "Future City" indeed!


Just a little jog down the road was a place called Jack's. I guess they got a couple extra letters for free because if I was Jack, I would've stopped at "Jacks is affordable." The apostrophe must have been extra. But as you can see on the poster to the right, Miller Lite is $1.17. That is affordability.


2:33. Time to head to the airport in 27 degree weather and snowing, just like Austin last Friday.

Roasted Tomato Cupcakes

Simon shows us how to make Roasted Tomato Cupcakes in the Toaster Oven.

1. Put wooden tomatoes in oven.

2. Yell "Cupcakes! CUPCAKES!"

3. If step 2 doesn't work, trying counting to three and stomping your feet before yelling "cupakes."

4. Allow cupcakes to cool on rack.

More from last weekend

Jojo helping put on Simon's bib.

Simon surverying Thanksgiving dinner.

The aftermath. He somehow gow pumpkin in his eyelashes.

And then it's onto setting up Christmas decorations...

Thanksgiving!

Long Thanksgiving weekend

Simon, Pop and I got to go to Juan in a Million a few days back. Here are two shots from there.

Simon with Pop's hat.

Simon in his new car seat in my car.

California dreamin' (Arcadia to be exact)

I saw these cornmeal crusts in the frozen section at HEB and immediately thought back to one of my favorite restaurants near where we used to live in South Pas. There was a place in Arcadia, near the hospital where Simon was born called Zelo that made some kick ass pizzas with a cornmeal crust. My personal favorite was the corn pizza. Sounds like corn overkill, but it's not.

I now always have two of these in my freezer at all times.

Roasted some frozen corn in a dry skillet over high heat.

Caramelized onions make everything better.

Mixed the corn and onions with grated mozzarella and some finely chopped green onions.


Bake at 425 for 12-15 minutes.

I'm slowly making my way through recreating their menu. Take a look: Zelo

Stillwater

When spending time in the state of Oklahoma, the rule of thumb is "don't stay longer than two meals at Braum's." If you eat more than two meals there, you're done. Some friends and I took a whirlwind trip to Stillwater for the Oklahoma State game. 31 hours total, 14 hours of that in the car...

Will, me and Joe in front of Boone Pickens Stadium.

You know it's a big game when parking is up 50% from the normal $20.

I approve of this smoker.


I don't approve of the Pistol Pete lawn ornaments... at least not the one in the middle.

At a bar before the game, we found out you can still smoke anywhere. All you need is an ashtray and a thigh.


At halftime, needing to find a restroom, I took some stairs upward. They took me to the roof. I cut Sean McDonough in line at the press box bathroom.


John, me and Joe waving goodbye to Booney P as he flew away early.

Braum's meal #2... that must mean it's time to go.

Simon the Bat

 

 

 

 

Pumpkin time!

Last year at this time....

Taken yesterday. I can't believe how much those pumpkins have grown up in a year...

Simon found an acorn and found it more interesting than the thousand pumpkins around him. At least he likes the free stuff.

Acorn in right hand, spooky pumpkin in the other...