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!