HAiRCUT!

Haircuts aren't for blogposts. I get that. But let's make an exception here.

So I'm getting my $14 haircut and the lady says "how do you part your hair?" I tell her I don't, unless I'm going to a wedding or something. She still throws a handful of gel on my head and combs out a coif that Grandpa would've been proud of.

Of course I immediately looked 10 years older (which would now make me look 25), so when I get home I practice some "Dad" poses for the years to come.

Here, Junior has said something intriguing, but I'll still probably answer his/ her question with either "No" or "What did your mother say?"

In this classic pose, Junior has just finished telling a ripping yarn about something or other, I wasn't really paying attention... something reminded me of how funny that Hi & Lois was from earlier today.

Obviously Junior has done something that I don't agree with here. He/ She will have to kneel on some grits in the corner to think about what he/ she has done. "And clean up those grits after your time's up."

"I'll have to think about it."

At least they're honest

"Hey, how's that new Chinese place near you?"
"It's just okay."

The cupcake to end all cupcakes

Erinn, Kristen and I braved the 66 degree temperatures to wait in line for 30 minutes at Sprinkles in Beverly Hills. We weren't on the guest list to go right to the front of the line. The wait was brutal, especially with the nastiness emanating from the neighboring La Salsa.

Finally made it home with our two boxes. Either my driving was bad or Kristen couldn't keep from picking at her selection.

Erinn expertly halving the pumpkin cupcake.

Kristen expertly eating her cupcakes with a fork. Those New Englanders are so proper. I ate mine with my fingers.

Happy New Year

I put together a changing table the other day. I think I put it together correctly. I mean, the directions and I were in the same room, but there was a game on, so who knows if it'll hold. I didn't get up there to test it out, but she looks sturdy enough.

See? Sturdy as a mule. Those canvas baskets must weigh at least 8 ounces each.

Mother Nature came knocking last night.

For those that want to see how Erinn's looking, we don't have any recent pictures. But this was from last year after we sat in the All You Can Eat seats at Dodger Stadium so you can use your imagination.

Christmas in Austin

We're back from another great visit.

My first attempt making tamales. Good thing there weren't any abuelitas watching me. I used shortening and butter instead of manteca.

Two dozen black bean. Two dozen chicken verde. Without the lard, they came out dry. I learned my lesson.

If only Callie was two inches taller...

Olivia showing me how to properly undress a dolly.

Erinn cooks

Well, this first one is just kind of cooking. These pigs-in-a-blanket are Pillsbury breadsticks wrapped around a mini sausage. She made 150 of these for treat day at school.


She made these sugar cookies from scratch and iced them herself. I helped by eating them.

Deck the Halls

Here are some holiday decor pics in case you are tired of Andrew's food. As I strung the lights, Andrew tried to capture "light movement" as he put it.

Winter's here (at night anyways)

We're getting some lows in the lower 40s at night so that means it's time for chili, soups and Erinn's favorite: Chicken Pot Pie.

This recipe comes from epicurious and can be found here.

One reason why I take so many pictures of food is because I need something to do while things cook, reduce, simmer, come to a boil. Plus, I always have the camera handy.

It's mirepoix, y'all. Carrots aren't in the recipe, but I like em. So in they go.


Fast forward 30 minutes and a couple more steps and you've got this.


Delicious, flaky pastry crust. So buttery and so good. I should've just baked up a second sheet and eaten it separately.


It did not cooperate coming out of the pyrex.

Still eating those chiles

Our freezer is slowly emptying of all the chiles. While we're eating mostly enchiladas out of em, I found a recipe that uses them in Crab Cakes. I'm sure science would claim eating one a day would keep the doctor away, until you had a heart attack.

pre-sauteed

pre-in-my-belly