#best butter keepers review

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The 7 Best Butter Keepers

A butter keeper, also known as a butter dish or butter crock, is a kitchen container used to store and keep butter at room temperature. It is designed to maintain the spreadable consistency of butter while preventing it from spoiling or becoming rancid. The traditional butter keeper consists of two parts: a base and a lid. The base is a shallow dish that holds the softened butter, and the lid acts as a cover to seal the butter inside. Some butter keepers may have a water seal or an airtight design to create a barrier between the butter and the outside air, preserving its freshness.

[thefilmsnob]

Glen Coco’s Top 10 films of 2019

2019 was one of the better movie years I’ve experienced. It was no 2007 or 2013--we all know that--but it was pretty damn good. People who say ‘they just make crap nowadays’ probably aren’t really into movies and are definitely out to lunch. Dammit, now I want lunch. Anyway, here are my picks for the ten best films of 2019 which, as always, follow my runners-up and the traditional bonus track...There’s always a bonus track. 

Runners-Up

-Bombshell

-Booksmart Full Review: https://thefilmsnob.tumblr.com/post/185427895290/booksmart-out-of-5

-Ford v Ferrari

-The Irishman

-Joker Full Review: https://thefilmsnob.tumblr.com/post/188571262775/joker-out-of-5

-Parasite

-The Peanut Butter Falcon

-The Two Popes

And here are my top 10!

#10b. (Bonus Track) Avengers: Endgame

Director: Anthony Russo, Joe Russo

Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, the rest of Hollywood

Maybe, like some people in the industry, you don’t consider Marvel films to be ‘cinema’. Well, that’s a legitimate and long debate for another time. But, you can’t say that weaving a narrative through 22 related films isn’t an impressive feat. That’s what Marvel Studios did and with the help of the Russo Brothers, and despite the countless moving pieces, they ended this chapter of the franchise almost perfectly with just the right balance of action, human drama, twists, turns and some surprisingly poignant moments. If you didn’t get goosebumps--and maybe even pee your pants a bit--when those portals opened up at the end, bringing to mind Gandolf’s triumphant entrance into the Battle of Helm’s Deep, then maybe movies just aren’t for you, my friend. 

Full Review: https://thefilmsnob.tumblr.com/post/184694412545/avengers-endgame-out-of-5

#10. Marriage Story

Director: Noah Baumbach

Starring: Adam Driver, Scarlett Johansson

Ironically, Marriage Story is actually about a divorce. But, writer/director Noah Baumbach imbues this civil-turned-nasty separation with all the complexity and aggravation that come with being married with child. He treats the divorce like the grueling process you’d expect it to be, one which involves real, flawed people whose needs and desires don’t align, making the situation increasingly distressing for all parties involved. In turn, Driver and Johansson make this distress increasingly palpable for the audience until it feels like we’re in the room with them during one of their several heated arguments. Both actors give some of the best work of their careers, yet it still may be overshadowed by Laura Dern and Ray Liotta who shine as the two ruthless lawyers representing them. Baumbach has been churning out these gems for years, but his latest, which may be his most accessible, may also be his best so far. 

#9. Jojo Rabbit

Director: Taika Waititi

Starring: Roman Griffin Davis, Thomasin McKenzie, Scarlett Johansson

What do you get when you mix Nazi Germany, the ghost of Hitler and a poor Jewish girl trying to survive the second World War? You get one of the funniest and most touching movies of the year, of course. The surging writer/actor/director Taika Waititi, who specializes in quirky films filled with quirkier characters, hasn’t made the typically grim melodrama about Nazi Germany nor is he doing anything close to promoting Nazi culture. Instead, he uses the tale of a young boy who attends a Hitler Youth training camp to highlight the absurdity of this horrible movement while promoting tolerance. He delivers this powerful message by introducing a young Jewish girl who seeks refuge in the home of Jojo and his mother, played by Scarlett Johansson (who clearly had a good year). This leads to Jojo’s crisis of conscience which is complicated by his imaginary friend...who happens to be Adolf Hitler! Yes, the movie is different.

#8. Once Upon a Time...in Hollywood

Director: Quentin Tarantino

Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt, Margot Robbie

It’s no surprise that Quentin Tarantino would make a film about 1960s Hollywood starring one of the most prestigious celebrity trios in the business; the guy’s passion--obsession even--for film is unmatched. Here, he uses the medium to take a horrific moment in history like the murder of Sharon Tate at the hands of the Manson Family and gives it the stereotypical Hollywood happy ending. In doing so, he showcases the wish fulfillment of the movies and their power to comfort us with optimism while simultaneously warning of their ability to shelter us from our cruel reality. DiCaprio and Pitt give brilliant performances as characters who add to the perception-vs-reality theme, DiCaprio playing the huge movie star full of anxiety and doubt in real life who relies heavily on his stunt double, Pitt, who’s the actual confident hero. All this and much more takes place in a meticulously recreated Hollywood of the ‘60s that sweeps you up in nostalgia and immerses you in a world of make-believe.

#7. Knives Out

Director: Rian Johnson

Starring: Ana de Armas, Daniel Craig, Chris Evans, Jamie Lee Curtis, Christopher Plummer 

Yes, there have been many murder mysteries. No, Knives Out isn’t just like the rest of them. Writer/director Rian Johnson does a masterful job at crafting a labyrinthine story that’s just complex enough without overwhelming and strikes a perfect balance of suspense and comedy. Featuring one of the greatest casts assembled in 2019 playing a dysfunctional family of despicable yet intriguing individuals of means, the story is full of truly surprising twists and turns and, more crucially, some well-integrated and astute social commentary. This isn’t a two-hour lecture, though; the film is undeniably entertaining. The stand-out here is detective Benoit Blanc, played by Daniel Craig with a delightful southern drawl and an attention to detail that rivals Sherlock Holmes. Craig transcends his James Bond persona while the film itself transcends a genre. 

#6. 1917

Director: Sam Mendes

Starring: George MacKay, Dean-Charles Chapman

If this were a few years ago 1917 would be, without question, my #1 pick. However, as the long, uncut tracking shot has become more common over the years, it’s also lost a bit of its luster; 2014′s Birdman, one of the best films of the decade, also had the appearance of a single take. Nonetheless, to make a war film, with all its tricky choreography and pyrotechnics, look like one long take is still a phenomenal achievement and an absolute marvel to behold. And, although it obviously couldn’t be filmed in one shot, Sam Mendes and master cinematographer Roger Deakins still had to shoot long takes and stitch them together digitally while stealthily hiding the seams. It all helps tell the story of two young soldiers tasked with traversing treacherous territory to warn a Battalion of British soldiers about an impending German ambush. We follow the pair in real time amidst a story of remarkable bravery, enhanced by the fact that we’re with them every step of the way, at once experiencing everything they do up close while being reminded of how removed we really are from the danger they face.

#5. Uncut Gems

Director: Benny Safdie, Josh Safdie

Starring: Adam Sandler, Kevin Garnett (hey, why not?), Julia Fox

There are several talented actors in Hollywood who’ve gained a bad reputation for poor career choices. Ben Affleck and Will Smith come to mind. Perhaps the king of this group is Adam Sandler. He’s excelled sporadically in movies like Punch-Drunk Love and The Meyerowitz Stories, but he gives a truly Oscar-worthy performance in this--ahem--gem. As Howard Ratner, he’s a gambling addict who runs a jewelry store in New York’s Diamond district when he gets his hands on a rare Ethiopian black opal which he hopes will help pay off his many debts. In fact, he owes so much to so many people that he struggles to keep track of it all and we cringe every time he does. The tension builds to an almost unbearable level as a host of dangerous men seek payment. If that’s not enough, he’s on the verge of a divorce as he continues seeing a mistress who’s also his employee while owing $100 000 to his own criminal brother-in-law. If you were stressed just reading that, try watching the movie...or being Howard himself. The Safdie brothers don’t let up either, filming it like a documentary to add to its realism and immediacy...as if it needed that extra boost.     

#4. The Lighthouse

Director: Robert Eggers

Starring: Robert Pattinson, Willem Dafoe

The first thing you notice watching The Lighthouse is that half the screen is missing; Robert Eggers, who also wrote and directed The Witch, shot the film with a 1.19: 1 aspect ratio, making the picture square, like an old-timey photograph. It feels limiting at first until you fully appreciate the feelings of confinement and anxiety it evokes. That’s important in a film about two lighthouse keepers, or wickies, who are forced to live together in insanely grungy and cramped quarters of a lighthouse on a remote island off the coast of New England. Considering the harsh conditions and the fact it’s a horror film, they soon clash and seemingly lose their grip on reality which manifests in macabre images and supernatural occurrences. Or does it? Ha! This is one of the most unique and beautifully filmed movies of the year with the grainy black and white 35mm making it seem like it was made closer to the late 19th century, when the film takes place. Like many recent horror films, this one relies more on mood and imagery than jump scares and is buttressed by only two actors who give award-worthy performances. Alright? So, go to hell; Pattinson can act.

#3. Little Women

Director: Greta Gerwig

Starring: Saoirse Ronan, Florence Pugh, Emma Watson, Timothee Chalamet, Eliza Scanlen, Laura Dern

You might assume that Little Women is a stuffy period piece and even unnecessary considering it’s the seventh adaptation of Louisa May Alcott’s iconic 1868 novel, but the prodigious actor-turned-writer-turned-director Greta Gerwig is too adept in her craft to settle for conventional story-telling. She gives this classic story a fresh, modern take with a non-linear approach and a feminist angle that enhances without overwhelming. Like her work on Lady Bird, she keeps scenes brisk and to the point with decisive cuts. She also adds her unique wit and snappy dialogue. Every conversation, no matter how superficial, leaves you enraptured. So, too, do the characters; it’s a pleasure following these complex girls through the ups and downs of their lives as women of little means and even fewer rights. They’re portrayed by a stellar cast, particularly Jo March who’s played by Saoirse Ronan, perhaps our greatest sub-30 actress. This may be a little movie about little women, but the payoffs and sheer enjoyment are truly grand.   

Full Review: https://thefilmsnob.tumblr.com/post/190231754125/little-women-12-out-of-5

#2. Us

Director: Jordan Peele

Starring: Lupita Nyong’o, Winston Duke 

I know it’s blasphemous, but I might be the only person on Earth who not only thought Get Out was a tad overrated, but that Jordan Peele’s second feature, Us, is the superior picture. It’s easy to look at this film as merely a unique take on the slasher genre, but it’s so much more than that. Like any good horror, it’s creepy as hell, but it’s also brimming with foreshadowing, symbolism and metaphor. There are three or four ideas that Peele sets up at the beginning that seem disconnected to the story, yet they each have a specific purpose and when that becomes evident, it’s incredibly satisfying. Even more impressive is how Peele turns a movie about a vacationing family encountering their doppelgangers into a brilliant commentary on the current state of America, specifically in regards to class division and its relation to the Nature vs Nurture debate. And the movie’s neat twist at the end isn’t just added for shock value; it’s actually the final puzzle piece and essential in conveying the film’s message. I struggled with ranking Us at #1 or #2, but its over-reliance on slasher film action around the mid-point (a minor flaw) was the deciding factor. It’s near-perfect, nonetheless.

Full Film Interpretation: https://thefilmsnob.tumblr.com/post/184073868405/interpreting-jordan-peeles-film-us

#1. Midsommar

Director: Ari Aster

Starring: Florence Pugh, Jack Reynor, William Jackson Harper, Will Poulter

If there’s one thing for which the 2010s should be known, it’s great horror films, a refreshing development after decades of mediocrity. But, just like movies in general from the ‘New Hollywood’ ‘70s, horror films are more creative and ambitious than they’ve been in ages thanks to a handful of visionary filmmakers. Three out of the top five entries are horror movies and that’s saying something.

Midsommar is a mesmerizing horror film that hearkens back to the 1970s when the genre relied more heavily on atmosphere and pacing and sheer creepiness than on jump scares and gimmicks. It takes one hell of a talented writer/director to make a movie shot almost entirely in daylight feel so utterly sinister, but Ari Aster, who also made the acclaimed Hereditary, does just that with ease. What’s more, the film contains no monsters, nothing supernatural and an astonishingly minimal amount of violence, yet when we do see bits of blood and gore, it’s a complete shock to the system. What Aster does rely on is his mastery of lighting and framing to produce images that are unexpectedly eerie.

This is a movie that starts with a group of anthropology students looking to take part in a once-in-a-lifetime festival at a commune in the Swedish countryside and ends in an unspeakable nightmare. It’s a long and sometimes grueling experience that steadily snowballs into horror, but that slow burn is crucial for this delightfully nerve-wracking series of events. Oh, and it’s also a breakup story...possibly the scariest breakup story of all time. It’s certainly the best film of 2019.     

[ellocentipede]

Sugar Spider Bespoke Body Scrubs Review

The amazing Brooke Perry, who crafts my absolute favorite sugar scrubs, has launched a delicious new line of customizable dessert-themed sugar scrubs called Sugar Spider. Based on Brooke’s track record of incredible body scrubs, I knew that these would be special. The scrubs are wonderful--they are gentle and moisturizing on my skin while also doing a great job of buffing and smoothing. The granules of this scrub are a little chunkier than Brooke’s B Perry Studios Cocoa Butter Body Scrubs, found here: https://www.bperrystudios.com/ , and the consistency is a bit less oily as well. You have the option of adding layers of ganache, a thick whipped soap, to your scrub. The ganache makes for a beautifully decadent shaving cream. I like that it’s a little thicker than you’re average whipped soap (the consistency really is a lot like true buttercream icing or ganache) since I like to use it for shaving. It’s not quick to foam either--it’s easy to smooth on and then shave off.

I’ve already ordered two scrubs with a large variety of scents (because I wanted to try them all!), and I plan on ordering a few more soon since she just released two floral scents for spring, and florals are my jam. I’m also thinking of doing a chocolatey scrub as well. I will say that generally I avoid products that are overly foodie/gourmand, but Brooke’s gourmand scents are really special. They’re more true to life than most, and as a result are less sweet. They’re really lovely and I hope that she will continue to make these for some time to come!

Scrub #1: Layers of Black Honey, Briarberry, Chantilly Creme Ganache, and Coconut Ash

Black Honey

Scent description: Dark, waxy, wildflower honey.

Honey notes can be hit or miss for me, and luckily this one is a keeper. It’s not overly sweet, but is gentle and warm. It does smell waxy--like smelling a lump of beeswax that’s been pulled out of an artisanal honey jar. Really lovely.

Briarberry��

Scent description:  Sweet black and razz berries, with prickly tomato leaf.

Truthfully, this smells like the inside of a berry pie--tart, sweet, realistic. I can’t pick out the tomato leaf, but likely it’s lending a realistic cut of the sweetness of the berries. 

Chantilly Creme 

Scent description: Smooth, sweet vanilla bean and other delights.

This scent is amazing. I think it’s my favorite of the ganache blends, although they are all good. I have a beautiful olfactory relationship with vanilla bean, and it shines here--realistic, creamy, rich. When I use it, it feels like I’ve actually scraped the icing off of a cake. It makes my mouth water! I will be getting a lot of use out of this ganache in future scrubs! 

Coconut Ash 

Scent description: Cool, creamy, blackened coconut milk.

I was very curious to try this one because of the “blackened” aspect. Brooke makes some really beautiful blends with coconut, so I was thrilled to try an unusual coconut blend. It’s a beautiful sweet tropical coconut with a little something extra that does smell a bit blackened, cutting some of the sweetness. It’s not charred, though, but more like toasted bits of coconut flakes that have been bruleed on top of a coconut whipped cream. A mouthwatering and unusual coconut blend that will be a nice complement to many of the other blends. This is my favorite of the scrub blends that I selected.

Scrub #2: Layers of Suikerspin, Blue Marshmello Ganache, Supernova, and Butter Cream Ganache

Suikerspin 

Scent description: Fluffy pink strands of spun sugar.

This is the smell of sticky-sweet pink cotton candy, enjoyed fresh from the bag in the sun. It’s perfect. This would be great on it’s own, but would also go well with so many scents--especially the fruity ones. This is my third favorite of the scrub blends that I selected.

Blue Marshmello 

Scent description: Sweet, sticky, marshmallow fluff.

This is the most gentle of the ganache blends. It’s soft, sweet, and creamy. It’s not a loud marshmallow scent, but more quiet like the real thing. This one would layer most well with some of the more robust and/or fruity scrub blends, like Supernova.

Supernova 

Scent description: Big wet smacks of watermelon pinkness, juicy strawberry, and cherry slush.

This is a bold and beautiful mouthwatering blend! It smells like watermelon Jolly Ranchers and pink Starbursts--but less like the smell of the dry candies and more like the rich and juicy sensation of tasting them. Sweet, fruity, tart, and wonderful. This is my second favorite of the scrub blends that I selected.

Butter Cream 

Scent description: Rich, buttery, artery clogging butter cream.

This scent is true to its description--and it’s scrumptious! It’s rich, creamy, buttery, and wonderful. This would layer well with many blends, but would perhaps be best suited to scents that aren’t fruity.

Sugar Spider’s delicious scrubs may be perused and purchased at https://sugarspider.shop/ 

[paw-patrol-kiddo]

2018 for my regressive side

Oh my gosh, we’re at the end of the year already! It went by sooooo fast!!! I’m a shook baby hee hee hee

Anyways, as some of y’all may remember, I did a post like this last year! Things have happened since then, things have changed-- and I wanna cover it all! I don’t think I’d call this the best year of my life (I say this because I’m not so sure about 2017 being the best year of my life anymore tbh), but it was still pretty dang good!!! Had its hard parts and such, bu otherwise, was a v good year!!!!

Y’all probs know the drill: I write mostly about my age regression adventures this year, with occasional bits of my Teenage Life(tm) sprinkled in here and there! I try to keep the latter to very important events, though (frankly, I think I have failed terribly at this, but do I care? At this point in my life, not really tbh), and mostly focus on regression when I can.

If you wanna do somethin like this for what this year held for your regressive side, feel free to!! I’d love if ya tagged me in it so I can read it!

Are we ready for the year review? I am and hope you are! It’s below the cut if ya wanna read it! Here we go!!!

January of course started off with my 16th birthday! It also marked five years (note: I miswrote this as either five or six in my first year review post! It’s actually been five, almost six years now) since I started liking diapies again, something that’s been a part of my life on-and-off since 2010 for sure, though I think I’ve liked them since at least 2008 according to my memories and the vibes I get from them!

“Chloe, why is this important?” You probably ask as you read that sentence.

Well, personally, I think it’s a huge part of what led me to begin age regressing! I started off liking diapies, then I started wondering about “being and acting like a baby/toddler again”, I started acting on some of the desires and urges I got as a result whenever I could, and well, it went on from there as we can see!

Towards the end of this month, I got some cool baby toys, more toddler snacks, and another pack of binkies! That was a pretty good-ish day from what I’m able to remember. c:

Oh yeah! I gots another rattle before then! She was one of the only good parts of a terrible day. I still love her so much.

This month, I also began seeing a friend irl again that I refer to here as friendo! We first met when we were 12, saw each other again twice when we were both 13, and then never met again... until back in 2017 at a Halloween event! For most of this year, we saw each other weekly, and I’m so happy to say that friendo is my best irl friend. He’s really an amazing guy. He doesn’t know it, but he’s helped me get through the rest of my depressive episode.

Yup, I said it. Remember when I said I thought the episode I had back in November last year was over and that I probably just cheated one and thus was irritable as a result? Hoo, buddy, I was so wrong... I was still depressed and had no idea and it blew up in my face. It was bad. I’m talking being hardly able to get my chores done, being able to get out of bed being a miraculous achievement, happiness being a rare feeling. 

It was so bad that my doctor told me if I kept having problems, we’d have to talk about “getting a mood stabilizer or anti-depressant on board”. 

Fortunately, it hasn’t reached that point, and things started getting gradually better when I finally admitted I was depressed and got help after things took a sharp turn for the worse briefly (my parents even let me take a few days off of my chores so I could focus on resting and recovery! They’re no strangers to depression themselves).

The only happy thing I can really note during this time involving regression is that I discovered one of the very few things that could make me feel happy that wasn’t involving my special interests: Wearing diapers. It’s kinda funny to me!  Depressed me was quick to figure out that was likely one of her best ways to cope. 

That event sucks because now whenever I start feeling sad for more than one day, well, as you can imagine I immediately begin worrying that it’s coming back for another round. Whenever I stop feeling as happy, I start observing myself more closely. The thought of it coming back actually scares me.

I know one thing for sure: If that beast comes back, I’m going to get myself medicated for it ASAP. I’d really rather not, but if it comes back, then I guess it’s safe to say that seeing as I’ve struggled with depression on-and-off since at least 2013, medication’s probably a good idea!

Man! How’s that for a ramble? Let’s move on and talk about February! My ex came back to me after he stopped talking to me in October. At first, I was so happy! I quickly began befriending him again, especially after I learned that his ex-girlfriend, whom he had just broke up with, was less-than-ideal towards him.

But then I discovered he wanted to get back with me and was actively trying to get me to. I was scared if I flat-out said “I do not want to get back with you. I want to just be friends”, he’d flip out in the bad way. Honestly, he probably would. So what did I do?

Did what I felt was best to do with the help of Mama.

Let’s just say we’re not friends anymore. :3c I still feel bad about it sometimes, but hey, I can write An Actual List of problems involving our relationship, romantic and otherwise, so I guess it’s valid to not be comfortable with being his friend anymore, especially since it’s clear he just wants me back with him, no matter how I feel. He still stares at me whenever we play baseball. It bothers me a lot. Hopefully, he’ll get over me soon.

On the more positive and regressive side of things, some cool things happened. Friendo also pretty much called me out about me being little a lot (even when I’m big!) and accepted it without realizing it. Some may say he didn’t, but I think he did and it means so much to me. Pretty sure I almost cried of joy when that happened. I think about it every now and then and love friendo a little more. He’s a keeper for sure when it comes to friends!

March was w i l d. First day into the month, I literally had one of my then-rare nonverbal episodes. I was worried that maybe I was beginning to become depressed again as I noticed I was beginning to feel more tired. As I know now, turns out it was just my autistic burnout kind of setting back in-- oh, and my anxiety beginning to reach the point where I couldn’t cope anymore. But I didn’t know this at the time.

I shrugged it off briefly-- until I had another episode while on voice-chat with friendo. And another one the next day while on a real life trip to a museum. And then another when Kim came to visit... The nonverbal episodes rapidly became a close-to-daily experience, sometimes totally daily. As I watched myself “regress” as my mom and aunt put it, I was confused and scared about what was happening to me. The confusion eased once I figured out it was burnout, but obviously the fear didn’t really.

I went off my ADHD medication I was taking at the time (Adderall) towards the end of the month. I still find it interesting that I couldn’t regress on it. I don’t quite know why! I just couldn’t.

I tried taking two other medications after, but they... didn’t quite work, at least in pleasant ways. I won’t go into detail on those!

Kiddo-wise, I got new window curtains for my room! They’re one of the first things I see every morning. It’s very nice~ One of the things that gives my room the kiddy vibe of it. Oh, and I got a Paw Patrol bowl this month, too! I love to eat Cheerios out of it~

Literally the last day of this month, guess what happened? Kim moved in! That was an awesome day~ It sucked seeing her cry, though (that part right there? A bit of a personal part that I suppose I won’t share since I’m not sure if she’d be okay with it or not)

April was a Nice Month! I finally started going to occupational therapy (I was originally going to start in May, but I got pushed forward a month) and I can say with confidence it’s helped me a lot in the time I got to go. My occupational therapist taught me a lil trick I can do before I actually try eating any foods I want to try and it’s made my life much easier. I can try all the kiddy foods I want now without feeling as anxious about it! :D Who would’ve known that I’d like peanut butter sandwiches and string cheese? I wouldn’t have! Also, the Wilbarger brush? A gift to mankind imo

What else happened this month? Let’s see here... I went on anxiety medication via suggestion of my therapist/psychologist (oh my gosh, life-changer right there friends, 10/10, I actually don’t know how I lived without it), watched my nonverbal episodes take a major decrease afterwards, and Mommy surprised me with a pack of diapies with tapes! I can definitely say I prefer diapies with tapes, but I’m not that picky. Actually, I kind of am. It depends on how old I’m regressing to. Then I’m kinda picky, heh heh

May tbh? A pretty quiet month. All I can note is that summer break started for Kai and I and we both got to actually take a full summer break without the usual math-work we have to do! (I’m dyscalculic and prone to what my mom and I call “math skill regression”, so that’s why I have to practice. Idk about Kai, but I think it’s because she seems to have some difficulties with math herself)

The day I was told about our Complete Summer Break(tm), man, I flipped! I told myself I would make this summer the littlest one ever! Did I succeed? Sadly, no. But hey, there’s always next summer! And the next one if that doesn’t work out...

June was super-duper cool! I got a new bed to replace my queen-sized one and I managed to get a complete Paw Patrol bed set for it! I love my bed so much~ It’s so cute and Literally Perfect, especially when we consider the fact that I also have a weighted blanket with Elsa and Anna from Frozen on it! (I’ve actually had it for about two years now, but it’s not shown in the photo-set in the link!) Oh, and let’s not forget the Pillow Pet I’ve used as my main pillow since I first received it back in 2010! (That’s not in the photo-set either!)

The day after I got my new bed? Baseball ended for the summer. I knew what to do the first Saturday of no baseball. Funny enough, as if she read my mind, Mama surprised me with some Paw Patrol bandages that day! They always cheer me up whenever I get a boo-boo :3c

Towards the end of this month, I celebrated this blog’s one year anniversary! I am seriously so glad I made this blog. If I hadn’t, I can’t imagine what my life would be like, where I’d still be hiding this from A LOT of people, where I likely wouldn’t have met and become friends with quite a bit of y’all, where I wouldn’t have become more comfortable with myself. I’m sure I’d be very unhappy and feeling so trapped and lonely involving this. Otherwise... I simply can’t imagine what my life would be like otherwise.

As if I observed this day without thinking, I went to the Dollar Store pretty much next to Easter Seals (where I went for occupational therapy) place and had quite the shopping trip! That was fun~

July was a pretty nice month, I suppose! Early this month marked one year since I first wore a diaper for the first time since my first childhood! I just had to observe it in a specific way (aka wearing a diaper), only the day before the actual anniversary itself. Funny enough, Kim’s cat ended up coming to live with us that day! Her name is Rogue and she's really cute! She can be really mean sometimes, though. She ended up having kittens later this month~

Another regression-related thing that happened was that while we were on vacation, I got some cool toys! I got a train with lil block things on it, three stacking cars, a pink spiky ball, and two teddy rattles! I... still need to post pictures of those, apparently. I also got a dinoroar plushie that I named Jackson! He’s one of my favorite plushies and I love him a lot. I should post a piccy of him on here sometime!

Something else that happened on vacation was that I went nonverbal the second day of being there. Everyone, including me, was chill since it was normal by then. I went to bed that night and woke up the next morning, only to find I was still nonverbal. Talk about quite a shock for everyone! (I normally stop being nonverbal once I sleep, so this was really weird for me)

I ended up spending the rest of the vacation nonverbal, which I was pretty chill with, save for some problems communicating in a hot-tub without my tablet (Kim had a hard time keeping up with what I signed). 

The day after we got home, back came my verbal skills. Five days later? If I’ve got my memory of what day correct, I heard Dad coming home from where he volunteers occasionally and suddenly got the paralyzing feeling in my throat I usually get just before I go nonverbal. In around ten minutes, I was nonverbal, but for seemingly no reason. 

Save for two or so brief breakthroughs, I spent quite a while without mouth-words. My family and therapist and I have figured out what the cause is likely since then. (It’s quite long... I actually had the explanation here, but removed it cause it was Way Too Long. If anyone’s curious, I’m okay with talking about it if anyone wants to message me n ask about it~)

August isn’t very exciting! 

Non-kiddo wise, I got my IPad to use as an AAC device! I use Proloquo2go on it if anyone’s curious. I honestly love it a lot.

Kiddo-wise, the only thing I can really note is that I... kinda started sucking my thumb again. Oops :3c Kim’s made me mostly stop though, by kind of using consequences for me if I didn’t stop and get my chew necklace I like to suck on (One big example I can think of: “Go get your necklace or we won’t cuddle anymore.”). She even had Kai take over redirecting me when she left for Texas the next month! It’s not fun, but I guess I don’t need to risk making my already severe overbite worse.

September didn’t have a lot either! The only thing I can think of noting is that I tried some Paw Patrol mac n cheese. Either the two or so brands I’ve tried weren’t that good or I just don’t like mac n cheese! Who knows? I’m probably gonna try Kidfresh’s mac n cheese if I can actually find it irl and if I don’t like it, I think we can safely conclude that I just don’t like mac n cheese.

October was a v nice month as semi-usual the past couple years! I finally got some Kidfresh food to try out. I like their super-blastin’ triple cheese pizza bites a lot! I don’t like their chicken meatballs, though. I have quite a bit of foods I wanna try from Kidfresh next and I can’t quite decide which, but I’ll probably try their cheese pizza or chicken nuggets or maybe their fish sticks next!

I also went trick-or-treating for Halloween! it was super fun, except when Kai got upset about being treated Not So Great by others (Example: People loved to give kiddos multiple pieces of candy and just give her one piece when her turn came, despite having lots of candy for everyone... Can confirm this myself) and when I used my IPad to say trick-or-treat for the first time there, I was greeted by the lady turning away from me, apparently no longer paying attention to me, and beginning to go on about “kids playing on their phones and tablets”... How’s that for hurtful? Last time I checked, Halloween was for everyone, no matter how they say trick-or-treat.

In case anyone’s wondering, I’m going trick-or-treating again next year and have no plans to stop ever cause I’m stubborn. :3c I’m just going to find a place that will be cool with people “too old to be trick-or-treating” trick-or-treating to take my trick-or-treating business-- and hey, maybe I won’t have to encounter any ableism there!

November has nothing I can note besides me getting a new pair of overalls! This was not only useful seeing as I might be getting close to outgrowing my first pair I got a few years back, but also welcome! It’s nice having overalls that are blue instead of some green country print thing all over.

December was... an adventure! I slowly began regaining my mouth words, which means that I can babble again (A lot of the sounds I make while babbling are apparently inaccessible to me when I’m nonverbal as I’ve discovered)! It’s nice being able to babble to myself again when I’m very small instead of just staying silent and occasionally giggling, squealing, and perhaps vocal stimming in the way I’m able to when I’m nonverbal.

At Walmart, while shopping for some fellow kiddo friends (y’all know who y’all are, hee hee hee~), I ended up picking up some small stuff for myself! I got another Paw Patrol plate, a set of bath toys, and a doggie and piggy rattle! I’ve posted a piccy of the plate already, but not everything else! Guess that’s some of the stuff I need to do for next year~

Christmas was great! I got lots of toys! I also got quite a bit of Paw Patrol merch! I love my new toys so much. I’m especially glad that I finally have more blocks to play with, and another Mr. Potato Head I can make super great creations with, like monsters n aliens disguised as a repairman!

Oh! I also got a Fisher-Price record player toy after wanting it for so long! I love it soooo much!! Whenever I play with it, I get so flappy n clappy n wiggly n vocal stimmy... I just have so much love for it! It’s definitely one of my favorite toys to play with right now.

I also got a 3D model of the solar system that I’m gonna build n hang up in my room sometime soon! I actually had a 3D model of the solar system in one of my kiddo room fantasies for the longest time omg. Oooh, if I can find a way to get rid of the popcorn ceiling (never put glow-in-the-dark stuff on a popcorn ceiling), I bet it would go so good with another glow-in-the-dark star set that also includes a big 3D moon and 6 meteorite stones! Y’all, my room just gets cuter and more kiddie-like as time goes on...

As we can all see, I’ve had quite the year! It’s had its good and bad parts of course, and I’d say overall, it was a pretty good year! Hmm, you know what? I should list some people who have played a role in making this year Great!

Mommy - Mama, I can’t even begin to express how thankful I am for all you’ve done for me. The past year you’ve taken me to therapy appointments, held me and bottlefed me, and helped me finally get occupational therapy after wanting to go for 3 years. You’re such a beautiful person, inside and out. You love me for who I am, and I love you for who you are right back <3

Daddy - I didn’t list you last year, but to be honest, I think I should this year! You’re trying your best and I can appreciate that. From taking me to therapy appointments, to being okay with me using bottles and sippy cups, to getting me that Paw Patrol nightlight back in May if I’m correct, you’ve done a lot for me. You’re a good dad. I need to tell you that more often. I love you Daddy.

Kai - You’re such a good sister I can’t even begin-- You’re just? so accepting of me??? and you’re such a good person???? I’m love you????? Seriously, thank you for being there for me pretty much all our lives and taking care of me whenever I needed it, especially early this year during my depressive episode. Love ya sis <3

Kim - I, umm... I love you!! You’re so sweet, gentle, and you’re so accepting of my age regression (or as you call it, “identifying as a 7-year-old”). I had lots of fun browsing the toy aisle with you that one time! I’ve miss you lots since you decided to stay in Texas back in October, but hey, at least you’ll visit us sometimes! And you’ve got a nice man I actually like to live your life with. Love ya sissy <3

Ray - You’re super cool and adorable~ (Random fun fact: I tend to think of you whenever I read- or hear- the word “Ray”) Also, I still love that mood board ya made me back in 2017. I’m never gonna get over it! Hope you’re doing alright, buddy <3

Cass - It’s been even longer since we talked! You haven’t been on Tumblr in a while it seems, actually. I hope you’re doing okay and that you’re just busy (in a good way, preferably) and that’s why you haven’t been online! You’re so cute and sweet. Whenever I can, you know what I’m gonna do? Take a picture of my bumblebee plushie and send it to you, just for you <3

Leah - Oh goodness, you’re someone else who I haven’t talked to in a while, as well as who seems to not have been as active as of late. I hope you’re doing okay! I can’t thank you enough for the times you checked on me when I wasn’t okay. You are... so sweet I literally can’t

Meena - You are literally... so cute! You’re super sweet, too! I always have lots n lots of fun whenever we video-chat n talk together! You n Iku are actually the first people whom I met on Tumblr I’ve gotten to video-chat with! Also, your cats are so pure n good I can’t. Please pet them for me if you can! (I love both you and Iku so much)

All my followers - Whether or not we’ve talked before, I love and appreciate all of my followers! According to my Totally Professional Research(tm), I have discovered a link between my followers and cuteness! I have lots of love for each and every one of y’all. Thanks for following me~

2018 has proven to be quite the adventure full of different discoveries, like that I’m very good at horse-riding, that I can spend at least an hour playing with my rattles and other baby toys if I want to, that I apparently have IBS... It’s been quite the ride!

This year has also proven to be the year of growth for me. I’m beginning to stand up for myself and my needs more often, I’ve become more proud of who I am, and each day that passes, I love myself more and continue to become less afraid to be who I truly am.

I can’t wait to see what next year will bring, and what kind of person I’ll become as time goes on. I’m sure my evolution of who I am as a person isn’t quite finished yet. Whatever I become, it’s bound to be wonderful. And most importantly, I get to enter next year with each and every one of y’all.

From my plushies, plush rattles, and I, happy, happy new year! May you learn to love yourself if you haven’t quite yet, your babas/sippies/kiddo cups always remain full of your favorite kiddo drink, and you always have lots of your favorite kiddy/baby things, whether it’s toys, diapies, binkies, or baby food n toddler snacks! 

As always, remember to stay little/tiny/small.

[cheonjaem-blog]

boyfriend! park woojin

how the shy, nerdy loser, park woojin would confess

school! au

park woojin is such a nerd lmao

everyone knows that he’s hella smart, got straight a’s, 5.0 gpa

if you’re tryna pass a class, you best be sitting next to him

but nobody actually knows him personally

he doesn’t really talk much to other students but has a semi-friend lee daehwi

you had woojin in science class

and tbh you didn’t know shit

you started off the class with an f after you failed your first quiz

and things just never got better gg

but you started realizing that the semester was ending, and you were about to take a fat ass L

your teacher called you in after class, and told you straight up that you were about to fail his class, and you needed to get your shit together

“hmmm if you’re really struggling with this material, i suggest asking park woojin to help you”

and you just want to kys because you’re not tryna fail and retake this class

but woojin kind of scared you lol

he’s so perfect and smart and low key intimidating even if you’ve known him since middle school

you’ve never really held an actual conversation with him after all those years of being in the same class

so you walk home thinking of different ways to end your life cheat on the final actually understand the material

you drop into the nearest convenience store by your house to pick up some food to motivate you to study, and you accidentally run into woojin

he mutters a quick “sorry” before walking out, but you turn around and grab his sleeve 

“wait can you pretty please tutor me in science?”

and you just give him an embarrassed laugh

surprisingly he says yes!!

he’s really shy and super confused bc he’s known you for so long but he never thought that you actually knew he existed??

and he was also super flustered at seeing you since he thought you were really cute and may or may not have crushed on you for 4 years,,

so you exchange kkt’s and meet up at the library after school everyday 

sometimes you buy him drinks and sometimes he’ll buy you chips

“woah how’d you know honey butter chips are my favorite??”

obviously bc he’s been low key stalking you 

anyways.. he reteaches you all the key concepts that you should know for the final 

and you swear the teacher has never gone over this in class but maybe you were asleep

you guys hit it off so well??

and you find out that woojin is really talkative when he’s talking about something he’s passionate about like dancing

you didn’t know this nerd danced wth??

and you feel really bad after a while bc he’s wasting his time to help you study when he could study by himself

basically you just felt like a burden ;;

so you bake him cookies as a thank you and he gets super blushy and awkward when you give them to him the next day

his blushing face is so funny that you can’t resist dropping a couple flirty teasing remarks 

“aw you’re so cute woojin”

but woojin has been really enjoying spending all this time with you

he secretly likes it when you make your stupid puns

and sometimes when he’s teaching you something, he’ll drift off into space and you’ll catch him just staring at you

he’s mesmerized by you okay

as for you, you start to become comfortable with woojin

and he seems less scary, and you realize he’s just a shy bean

you notice how he’s really focused on everything he does, and you admire his perseverance 

you start getting used to his presence, and it took him weeks but eventually he even starts to talk you outside of class and study sessions

like sometimes he’ll bring you lunch, and you guys will sit together in the cafeteria talking about anime or something equally nerdy

woojin has obviously never had any relationship experience and he has no other friends to confide his feelings to,,, 

he’s already suppressed these feelings for the past 4 years, but now that you guys are actually friends, he doesn’t want to ruin your friendship ;;

woojin is so scared to confess bc he’s such a loser, and you’re well-loved by everyone at school

he’s way too shy and afraid you’re going to reject him immediately bc you think he’s an embarrassment to you

so one day park jihoon, your english partner, asks you to rehearse with him after school for your guys’ english project which is to recreate a scene of romeo and juliet in class

you guys wrote the script in class (a class you don’t have with woojin obvs) so of course you agree

jihoon takes you to an empty classroom and you guys start rehearsing

“o, then, dear saint, let lips do what hands do. they pray; grant thou, lest faith turn to despair”

“saints do not move, though grant for prayers’ sake”

“then move not, while my prayer’s effect i take”

and then jihoon leans in to fake kiss you bc he’s a flirty asshole and it’s part of the scene but why

you laugh and jokingly hit him “why are you like this wth”

at this time woojin is looking for you bc usually you meet up by your lockers, and you’re always there first waiting for him

and of course he chooses this moment, when it looks like jihoon is going to kiss you, to walk by

and his heart actually shatters

woojin is just staring with wide eyes at you two and quickly walks off bc he feels tears coming

he never knew you and park jihoon were a thing, and now he feels stupid for ever thinking he had a chance with you

he walks out of school and hears his phone ring and of course it’s you

he doesn’t really feel like talking to you rn but he’s too kind not to pick up

woojin sucks it up and continues with your study sesh but with less smiles and jokes and most of the time you think he’s grimacing

while he’s reviewing the law of gravitation with you, your phone goes off and of course it’s a text from jihoon bc you’re really unlucky rip

woojin pauses and stares at your phone which says:

from bby boy jihoon ♡ (jihoon created that name okay) : are you my homework? bc i want to slam you on my table and do you all night long ;)

“blocked and reported” 

you notice woojin glaring at your phone and when your eyes meet, you’re scared by how scary and angry he looks

he grabs you by your arm and drags you out into the hallway

woojin is overcome by a jealous rage and he ends up pushing you against the wall and slamming his hands next to your head

and you’re just like wtf what’s going on? am i in a cheesy anime or something???

adrenaline is rushing in woojin, and he literally has no control over his actions atm

“you’re not jihoon’s. you’re mine”

you’re like whoa where’d this confidence come from?? what a busan way to confess wow

and wow woojin looks so fucking hot being all alpha like this holy

his confidence is so sexy shit and you don’t even say anything and just kiss him bc damn he’s hot 

whenever you mention this confession to him, he gets all embarrassed bc he had an actual confession planned out with roses and milk tea and everything but oh well

so boyfriend woojin is v v v cute,,,

he’s so innocent wow 

brings you flowers on every anniversary

“happy 7th month anniversary”

“wtf woojin nobody celebrates that but thx”

really really shy

at first he doesn’t initiate pda at all,, gets flustered when you hold his hand in public

eventually gets comfortable with you and becomes clingy af

study dates!!

tries to bribe you with food and cuddles when you finish homework

“i’ll buy you boba if you finish your math homework early”

your grades start rising hella wow

started from the bottom now we here c->a

woojin is a proud boyfriend when you pass your science final with flying colors and pass the class

dances for you and wow he’s so hot when he’s dancing damn

reversal charm to the max

his snaggletooth is the cutest thing you’ve ever laid eyes on holy

he wanted to get it fixed at first since he was kind of insecure about it but you were like “uh how about a no”

you loved his tooth and he ended up loving it bc you did :)))

you have an album of woojin’s childhood pics on your phone, and he begs you to delete them but you can’t resist teasing him bc it’s so funny lmao

he tells you about his crush on you in middle school really shyly one day and you just laugh bc middle school you was a cringey part of your history and if he liked you at that awful point of your life,, he’s a keeper ;;

an angel!!

knows how to cheer you up with girl group dances hahahah

dances to twice, ioi, gfriend, every girl group to make you laugh

will destroy every last shred of his dignity to see you smile :’)

a wanna be athlete

tries to play basketball with you but prob doesn’t know the rules gg

gets jealous when you drool over male idols

“i dance better than him right???”

needs constant attention like a lost puppy

it’s okay bc he’s cute

v clumsy

tried baking cupcakes for you one day but almost burned up the kitchen hahahahah see what i did there

trips over the air sometimes

vj park in training 

tries to film you dancing to the choreos he’s taught you

ends up zooming in on your face 90% of the time and having really shaky camerawork 

really really caring boyfriend and will love you unconditionally ♡ 

[cosmetopiadigest]

undefined

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[jenguerrero]

#MattMoore @MattMoore #SerialGriller @SerialGriller #hmhco @hmhco

I loved Matt’s book, the South’s Best Butts, so I was psyched to see he had a new book out! First of all, I can’t even with that name!!! 😀 Serial Griller is a fabulous book, with great versions of the tried-and-true dishes you know and love, and some really creative ones to let you flex your grilling muscles! Terrific range. I want to highlight two iconic vacation favorites of ours. Every time we take a hiking vacation in Gatlinburg, TN, we stop for Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwiches on the way there and back. So ridiculously yummy! It never would have occurred to me to try grilling it. Does that luscious spicy and barely sweetened chicken oil stick to the grilled chicken the way it does to the fried? Yes!

New Orleans is only 8 hours from Fort Worth, so we love to duck down there, and when we do, you’d think we were in some sort of Po’Boy testing and analysis. He does his chuck roast on the grill, and it adds just a little smokiness to it. <sniff> It’s really a thing of beauty.

Big thanks to HMH for letting me share both of those recipes with you! I’ll tell you all about the other dishes we tried after the recipes. If you get the book, flip it open to the BBQ Meatloaf and Redneck potatoes and make those right away. Hug me later!

Excerpted fromSerial Griller: Grillmaster Secrets for Flame-Cooked Perfection© 2020 by Matt Moore. Photography © 2020 by Andrea Behrends and Helene Dujardin.Reproduced by permission of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. All rights reserved.

East Nashville Hot Chicken

SERVES 4

Being a longtime resident of East Nashville, I’m hesitant to even include this recipe. I still have not come to terms with Nashville’s rapid ascent as a city, or the fact that hot chicken has become our food of export. Most folks incorrectly liken hot chicken to buffalo-style chicken. Classic hot chicken includes a paste—almost a batter—of molten butter or oil, sugar, and spice that’s a deep heat that hits you more in the gut than tongue. The classic hot chicken is fried, but this grilled spin is awesome. Serve the usual way, with soft white bread and tart dill pickles, and it’s a taste of home, no matter where you’re from.

HANDS-ON:35 minutes TOTAL:8 hours 35 minutes, including 8 hours marinating

4 bone-in, skin-on chicken breasts (about 1 pound) 2 cups dill pickle juice 1 cup water 1 tablespoon plus teaspoons kosher salt 1 cup canola oil 2 tablespoons light brown sugar 2 tablespoons cayenne pepper 1 tablespoon paprika 1 tablespoon freshly ground black pepper 8(1-ounce) white sandwich bread slices 20 dill pickle chips

1.Place the chicken, pickle juice, water, and 1 table-spoon of the salt in a large ziplock plastic bag. Seal the bag and marinate in the refrigerator for 8 to 12 hours. Remove the chicken from the bag; dis-card the marinade. Set the chicken aside at room temperature.

2.Open the bottom vent of a charcoal grill completely. Light a charcoal chimney starter filled with charcoal. When the coals are covered with gray ash, pour them onto the bottom grate of the grill. Adjust the vents as needed to maintain an internal temperature of 400° to 450°F. (If using a gas grill, preheat to medium-high [400° to 450°F].)

3.Combine the oil, sugar, cayenne, paprika, and black pepper in a small grill-safe saucepan; place on unoiled grates. Cook, uncovered and stirring often, until tiny bubbles form and the sugar melts, 3 to 4 minutes. Remove from the heat. Pour the mixture into a heatproof bowl and allow to cool slightly, about 10 minutes.

4.Sprinkle the chicken with the remaining 2 teaspoons salt. Coat the top grate with oil; place the chicken on the oiled grates. Grill, covered, until a thermometer inserted in thickest portion of the chicken registers 160°F, 10 to 12 minutes per side. Remove from the heat and let cool for 5 minutes.

5.Dip the chicken, one breast at a time, in the oil-sugar mixture. Place two bread slices on each of four serving plates; top one slice on each plate with a chicken breast and five pickle chips.

Debris Po’Boy

SERVES 6

Chuck roast seems to always be on sale at my local grocery—especially on Sundays. Though I’m all for a low-and-slow roast in the oven or slow cooker on the weekend, I prefer throwing this bad boy on the grill until the exterior is crusty and caramelized. Once it’s got a good exterior char, I finish cooking the roast in a Dutch oven until it is fall-apart moist and tender, “debris” style. Of course, you can serve the beef as a traditional roast with all the fixings, but I like it shredded and piled in a classic po’boy, dressed with the trimmings and reserved drippings. Keep a bowl of that savory drippings nectar close for dunking.

HANDS-ON:25 minutes TOTAL:3 hours 15minutes

1 (3-pound) boneless chuck roast 2 teaspoons kosher salt 1½ teaspoons freshly ground black pepper 3 cups unsalted beef stock ¾ cup (6 ounces) salted butter, softened 6 (8-inch-long) portions Italian bread, split 6 tablespoons mayonnaise 12 (¾-ounce) slices provolone cheese 3 cups shredded iceberg lettuce (from 1 head) 12 thin tomato slices (from 1 large [12-ounce] tomato) 24 dill pickle chips Crystal hot sauce (optional)

1.Open the bottom vent of a charcoal grill completely. Light a charcoal chimney starter filled with charcoal. When the coals are covered with gray ash, pour them onto the bottom grate of the grill. Adjust vents as needed to maintain an internal temperature of 300° to 350°F. Coat the top grate with oil; place on the grill. (If using a gas grill, preheat to medium-low [300° to 350°F].)

2.Season the beef with the salt and pepper. Place on the oiled grates. Grill, covered and turning occasionally, until browned on all sides, 15 to 20 minutes. Transfer to a large Dutch oven. Pour the stock over the beef and place the Dutch oven on the grates. Grill, covered, until thebeef is fork-tender and a thermometer inserted in thickest portion registers 145°F, about 2½ hours. Remove the pot from the heat. Transfer the beef to a cutting board (reserving drippings in the pot); let rest for 15 minutes.

3.Spread the butter evenly on the cut sides of the bread. Place the bread, cut-side down, on the oiled grates and grill until just golden brown, about 45 seconds. Remove from the grill.

4.Shred the beef with a fork. Spread the mayonnaise evenly on the bread tops. Place two cheese slices on each bread bottom. Top evenly with the shredded beef, lettuce, tomato, pickles, and hot sauce (if desired). Pour the reserved beef drippings into a serving bowl; serve alongside the sandwiches.

The Sweet Potatoes al Rescoldo on page 91 are the absolute best, and would be the perfect accompaniment to your Thanksgiving turkey. Buttery and sweet with pie spices, a little chile, and nuts.

The BBQ Meatloaf on page 271 is fantastic! And he’s talking BBQ sauce – it’s made on the grill. Killer meatloaf! Tons of flavor and the texture was perfect. I made this will the potatoes below and it was outstanding.

The Redneck Potatoes on page 211 are total keepers. I’ve made them twice already. It’s that comfort food perfection that you’re hoping for.

The East Nashville Hot Chicken on page 237 is amazing!!! Amazing! It never would have occurred to me that you could grill it instead of frying it. Yeah, the coating sticks!

The Flank Steak with Black-Garlic Board Sauce on page 53 is fabulous! If you’ve never tried it before, hunting down the black garlic is well worth it. It adds so much depth of flavor to the sauce. He’s recommending dried grapevines as fuel, but I went with one of his substitutes, dried peach wood.

The Spatchcocked Whole Chicken on page 240 is so yummy. If you haven’t tried spatchcocking before, you’re in for a treat! It cooks so evenly and stays wonderfully juicy. Do it!

The Debris Po’Boy on page 229 is to die for. We try all the Po’Boys every time we find ourselves in New Orleans and this has all the lusciousness you’re expecting in a Po’Boy with a little kiss of smokiness from the grill. We loved them!

The Bacon and Swiss Burgers on page 60 are perfect. I grill burgers or do them in the skillet, but hadn’t thought of combining those two. Truly the best of both worlds. Note: He doesn’t mention seasoning the patties before you start grilling, and you’re going to want to do that.

The Meatballs with Sweet-and-Sour Sauce on page 162 are great. They’ve got a Swedish meatball vibe with a lot of flavor overlap, so I love that they’re glazed in lingonberries.

The Chili on the Grill on page 266 is a really flavorful, nearly all meat version. I stole a piece of wood from my smoker for the final one hour simmer to amp up the smokiness. So good!

The Pork Gyros on page 223 are really flavorful and juicy. So good!

*I received a copy to explore and share my thoughts.

Need a copy of that book? I’m an Amazon affiliate. Every time you use one of my links to make a purchase, Amazon gives me a tiny percentage. Thank you!

Serial Griller

East Nashville Hot Chicken and Debris Po’Boy Recipes and cookbook review: Serial Griller #MattMoore @MattMoore #SerialGriller @SerialGriller #hmhco @hmhco I loved Matt’s book, the South’s Best Butts, so I was psyched to see he had a new book out!

[torontotravelblog]

Things to do this week in Toronto

What's happening in Toronto April 22-26, 2019

MONDAY, APRIL 22 (EASTER MONDAY)

Spring into Easter at the Toronto Zoo: Join for special on-site animal encounters, daily Meet the Keeper Talks, the chance of catching a glimpse of our Veterinarians at work in the Wildlife Health Centre.

Easter Lunch at Miku Toronto: Celebrate Easter with a special menu only available for Monday.

Easter Day at MARBL: Celebrate this Easter weekend with family and friends. We'll be offering Easter exclusive menu items, as well as perfecting your dinner with a bottle of wine, hand picked by our sommelier.

The Best of The Second City: The Second City’s Touring Company comes home to Toronto for an unforgettable night of classic and original sketch comedy, along with hilarious unscripted improvisation.

Queer and Present Danger Collective: Spring Queening: Hosted by Bethany Daniels featuring Sam Sferrazza, Amethyst Barron and Jade Niles Craig. Headlined by Al Val.

Cher at Scotiabank Arena: Cher performs in Toronto with special guests Nile Rodgers and Chic.

Humber Valley Art Exhibition: This guild from Neilson Park Creative Centre presents an exciting juried art exhibition with a mix of subjects, styles, and media by their highly talented member artists.

The Wow: Fax My Life: The Wow returns for April for an office themed comedy spectacular. Toronto's all-star sketch comedy collective gives you a uniquely themed full-blown spectacle every single month..

TUESDAY, APRIL 23

Gene Domagala's Toronto Places, People and Buildings, Including the Beach: Local historian Gene Domagala reviews Toronto places, people and buildings of interest, including those in the Beach.

The Bourbon Excursion at Jump: Kick off the evening with a welcome cocktail before tucking in to a four-course dinner paired with J.B.’s finest bourbons. Featuring homestyle fare such as Mortadella Lasagna, Tamarack Farm Lamb Shoulder, and Peanut Butter Baked Alaska.

#PitchItYork at Seneca College Newnham Campus: Showcasing York Regions brightest entrepreneurs, Open People Network has partnered with Seneca HELIX for #PitchItYORK! Pitchit is an interactive and fun pitch event to help entrepreneurs showcase their company to potential clients and angel investors.

RSI Leadership Dinner & Dialogue Series: To explore how trusted AI can advance and sustain the competitive advantage of your business and the markets you serve, join our AI-focused dinner and dialogue for C-suite executives.

Caméra Stylo Launch Party! The Cinema Studies Student Union's Undergraduate Journal Caméra Stylo is having their annual launch party.

Kelvin Wetherell at Cafe Mirage: Cafe Mirage Grill and Lounge presents Kelvin Wetherell on Nov 6. The performance runs between 8:00 pm to 11:00 pm in the evenings with a 15 minutes break in between. Cafe Mirage is one of the leading restaurants in Scarborough.

101: Cannabis: Canna-Curious? Learn your CBD’s from your THC’s and join us for a conversation on all things cannabis. Our panelists will be able to answer all of your burning questions: from wellness to entrepreneurship, to education and responsible use.

Hot Breath Karaoke at The Handlebar: Ridiculous game show style karaoke, with prizes.

Westway Christian Church Food Bank: The Westway Christian Church Community Food Bank is open for clients to receive food on Tuesday evenings from 5-7 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 24

Fashion Art Toronto at Daniels Spectrum

Fashion Art Toronto is a showcase of contemporary and experimental fashion and arts The five-day multi-arts experience will inspire and intrigue guests through runway shows, photography exhibits, art installations, live performances and short films.

ALSO ON WEDNESDAY

Once Upon a Refugee: Chapter II - The Unrehearsed Plan: Once Upon a Refugee is a community education event celebrating the experience and contributions of refugees, hosted by North York Community House. The evening will have music, storytelling, food, and theatre.

Etobicoke Voters: Claim Your Right To A Vote That Counts! Fair Vote Toronto presents an information session on voting reform and Proportional Representation.

City of Toronto information session on aerial spray program for Gypsy Moth: The City of Toronto will implement an aerial spray program this spring in seven Toronto wards to protect the tree canopy and vulnerable trees from European Gypsy Moth infestation.

Blockchain Revolution Global: The first truly worldwide conference for blockchain in enterprise. Speakers include Imogen Heap, music maker & founder of Mycelia, who will also perform live at the EBA gala.

An Evening of Poetry Readings with Toronto's New Poet Laureate: Join Toronto's new Poet Laureate for a thought-provoking night of spoken word. In the first public appearance of his laureateship, Toronto's literary ambassador A.F. Moritz will be reading alongside three young poets at The Poet Presentation Centre.

Showtime! Disney Edition at The Drink: A live music showcase featuring performances by Aaron Bell, Michala Todd and Charlotte Ferrarei. This time they'll be serving you live Disney music.

Who run the world? QTBIPOC: A free drop-in workshop series on relationships for youth. Learn skills and connect with other 2SLGBTQ Black, Indigenous and youth of colour (16-29) at this Beyonce-themed workshop series on relationships-- with pals, family, partners and yourself.

THURSDAY, APRIL 25

In Her Voice: Amy Spurway Crow Launch

Please join Amy Spurway in conversation with author Emily Saso at Ben McNally Books as part of the 'In Her Voice' event series. They will be discussing Amy’s debut book Crow, followed by a signing. Books will be available for sale.

ALSO ON THURSDAY

Digifest 2019: Digifest is a three-day design and tech festival as well as a startup event, organized annually by the Digital Media and Gaming Incubator at George Brown College.

Leadership & Social Entrepreneur Knowledge Cafe 2019: Seminar of interest to entrepreneurs, professionals, activists and mentors for the next generation of leaders.

16th Albert Lahmer Memorial Lecture: Andrew Larsen: Join Toronto children's writer Andrew Larsen, author of The Man Who Loved Libraries: the Story of Andrew Carnegie, for the Osborne Collection of Early Children's Books' 16th Albert Lahmer Memorial Lecture.

Art-Bound at Camp Tech: Have you heard about art journaling? Come and find out what the fuss is all about. The Art-Bound workshop is an introduction and exploration of art journaling.

Coco & Cowe presents Coco Con: Media: The second event of the Coco Con series. Catriona Smart and Halla Rafati will be joined by Vanessa Craft, Editor-In-Chief for Elle Canada.

Moonstruck at Bad Dog Comedy Theatre: By way of inspiration, its cast will take the details of one audience member’s dream to create a hilarious and magical show. Completely made up on the spot and never to be repeated, this show is sorta like a dream (no, better).

Cozy Fun Comedy Show at 120 Diner: Featuring: Velvet Wells, Sarah Ashby, Luba Magnus, Jesse Singh, Honey Bennett, Freddie Rivas, Desirée Walsh

RuPaul's Drag Race Viewing Parties: Fans of the hit reality television series can watch new episodes every Thursday at several spots around the city, including Apt 200, The Gladstone Hotel, The Beaver and Striker.

FRIDAY, APRIL 26

András Keller conducts the Royal Conservatory Orchestra at Koerner Hall

Hungarian violinist, Artistic Director and Chief Conductor of Concerto Budapest Symphony Orchestra, and founder of the Keller Quartet András Keller leads The Glenn Gould School’s Royal Conservatory Orchestra.

ALSO ON FRIDAY

Metric with July Talk at Scotiabank Arena: Toronto-based rock bands Metric and July Talk perform in Toronto.

Fairlawn Avenue United Church's 58th Annual Book Sale: Shop for gently used books, DVDs, CDs, and LPs.

David Newland CD Release: Newland's CD release party will take place at Hugh's Room Live.

Toronto Lit Up: Mike Barnes: Join Biblioasis and the Toronto International Festival of Authors in celebrating the release of Mike Barnes’ Braille Rainbow: Poems through Toronto Lit Up!

Dinner for Vegetarians in High Park: Join us to check out the all-vegan restaurant The Goods. Everyone welcome. RSVP via email.

Acid x Untitled presents Justin Cudmore at Black Eagle: Brooklyn's rising star of the Queer techno scene Justin Cudmore joins Aeryn Pfaff and Ceremonial at The Black Eagle. Hosted by Miss Moço. All genders welcome. No room for discrimination.

Flashback Friday: A Time Travel Cabaret: Come witness the past, present and future like you've never seen them before through some of the cities best burlesque, drag and gender performers.

Redwood Comedy Cafe: A weekly comedy showcase featuring Canada's top comedians at the intimate Redwood Cafe in Little India.

ONGOING

Jude Ifesieh presents: 'Beauty in Lines' at Visions Gallery: Jude Ifesieh has developed a unique style, building complex images from a myriad of simple, colourful strokes and dots. His resulting works express the innate beauty of life and nature, bursting with healing energy, fertility and fresh possibilities. Runs until May 12.

Art Show & Sale by Marley Berot at Starving Artist Restaurant: Trini-Ja Canadian Marley Berot is opening her first show at the Starving Artist Restaurant and Gallery at 467 Danforth Avenue. Her acrylic paintings will stay on the walls until May 18.

VideoCabaret: Too Good To Be True: A dark comedy by the marvelous playwright Cliff Cardinal, who recently won Double-Doras, and an Edinburgh festival award for writing and performing Huff. Runs until May 19.

Next to Normal at CAA Theatre: Winner of three Tony Awards, Next to Normal explores a suburban household affected by mental illness. With a gripping story and a surging contemporary rock score, Next to Normal is a raw depiction of a family in crisis trying to overcome the past. In production until May 19.

PRECIOUS: An Exhibition of Contemporary Art and Jewellery: By creating precious artwork and art jewellery from everyday and discarded items, Micah Adams, Christine Dwane and Lawrence Woodford remind us that our world is shaped by the decisions we make. Whether disposable or sustainable, beauty is everywhere. On display through May 23.

Being Japanese Canadian: Reflections on a Broken World at the ROM: Explore the original exhibition through the eyes of curators Bryce Kanbara and Katherine Yamashita. Runs until May 25.

The post “  Things to do this week in Toronto “ was originally seen on toronto.com by Whatson

IV Vitamin Drip Therapy Toronto Clinic - The IV Lounge

[ryanellisphoto]

#155 — Saturday, March 26th, 2019 — Ryan Ellis Photography - Detroit Street Photography Session #155 — Nikon Nikkor Ai-S 35mm f/2 (ca. 1982-3)

Photograph or Flight Response Tested - Roy R. Rowlands - Flags Hart Plaza - Brush Street Study - Homeless Goat - Two Tents Equal A Fifth - Homeless Man Pitches At Tigers Stadium - Spring Loaded - Selfie By Hudson Site - Lines Looking Up And Lines Looking Down - Greektown Worm Moon Rising - Greektown After Morning Twilight - Greektown Homeless Man - Knowledge Is Power - Library Vs. School - David Bosco Willis - The Man With Three First Names - Happy Lass In Downtown - Self-Professed G.O.A.T. Meets Goat - Diptych - Triptych 

Arrived @ 7:15 AM

Departed @ 3:30 PM

1,036 photos (and also 18 videos) taken in 8¼ hours with 56 “keepers” among them, rendering a pauper’s percentage with just a 5.4% “success” rate at a king-size pace of 121.88 shots per hour (I desire the most at least to achieve a 10% “success” rate and 100 shots per hour).

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PREFACE:  A few years ago, I saw a CL listing for a camera gear lot that appeared to be from the non-Ai-era of Nikon’s camera line history. Included in this lot was a “Saligar” 35mm f/2.8 (ca. 1964) lens. The owner of it told me that if super glue had been invented in the early sixties, when he accidentally dropped the lens, he would have fastened it back together with that, but, instead, it was held together by masking tape. This same man in a past life headed the crash test dummy department at GM in the 1980′s, making his living by developing the safest cars possible (quite honorable). The lens makes issues with the shutter. It puts odd shadows across images. I would use it artistically if I could predict and/or control the obscurations better. This lens has taken some fantastic shots, but the mechanical pain of having to disconnect and reconnect it all the time keep it low on my roster.  :—:— A couple years ago, I bought a Nikkor-S 35mm f/2.8 (ca. 1964) lens from a mysterious French woman in Royal Oak. I had the price readjusted when I examined it, finding hundreds of scratches on the front element glass. The lens blew out brighter parts and seemed a bit dull in the focus. I thought the thing might be useful for artistic, niche things, but it is only good for video some of the time and for photography hardly any of the time. :—:— This week, I found a Nikkor Ai-S 35mm f/2 (ca. 1982/3) lens used on CL and sprung for it. I wish the story of this second lens purchase were more interesting, but believer’s bias is no better than bias because of reality. :—:— I read on Ken Rockwell’s website that this particular lens was a trouble regarding lens flare and barrel distortion. I never shot a good 35mm lens, so this was my chance to shoot a good one yet be disappointed somewhat unavoidably by its persistent flaws in spite of all other circumstances being the veriest operative. :—:— I wanted to see how today might go with this newest (to me) 35mm lens.     

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PATH TAKEN:

Greektown - It was 26° F with low winds outside when I arrived in Detroit. “Tergiversate” is a word that many times aptly describes me. I do it often. I did it often upon my arrival in Greektown. Saturdays (my habitual Detroit street photography day), I frequently get street side only to return to my vehicle for something I forgot. This happened about three (or [sadly] more) times when I arrived. I love the old pastor’s explanation as to why David brought with him five smooth stones from the river when there was just one Goliath of Gath to vanquish—in case Goliath had four brothers with him when David arrived to defeat Israel’s anthropic Apollyon. Likewise, when I go out shooting, I take only what I need—as well as more in case I need it as well (my incurable optimism and hopeless hoping binds me to such measures). All that said, I unhappily admit I felt a bit dazed in my focus; I felt early on the weight of the world upon me. I thought, “what am I doing here?” I was sad that I have had these three years (all my time doing photography seriously) of famine in my photographic pursuits, profits-wise. I hoped to crush the proverbial skull at Golgotha with the cross I bore upon its placement atop the mount of sorrow I climbed today (to slightly borrow another preacher’s extra-biblical tale). :—:— I am awful at posing folks. That is something I wish to learn by observing folks far, far better than myself at posing others doing just that. When I take a people shot, I take the shot. Haha. I have no instructions for the subject(s), though I tell groups to gather nearer to one another for my final shot. A homeless man approached me asking me to take his picture. He was insistent that I would do that, so I did. I did not know he was homeless until a few shots in, because he told me as much as most do, which is to say that he talked of his need to find a job and some money. He even said that he wanted me to photograph his struggle as a homeless man. With that, he laid on the ground and closed his eyes as if to sleep. I warily proceeded photographing him in this and other poses. Finally, I gave him my card with instructions on how to get the best shots, should he find himself with a phone or online, and I told him all that I knew regarding getting help and getting employment. I really need to learn what proper local resources there are for the homeless. I meet and converse with maybe a half-dozen or more every week.

Brush Street - Trying to do something novel in order to write off my woes, I turned left on Monroe Street before it exited Greektown (instead of following it up to Campus Martius Park). I thought the light made the scene I saw look nice, so I took a three-shot burst of it (I shot bracketed with a third of a stop between shots to minimize the need to edit out bad lighting in post-processing). Thinking of my study of the RenCen video from a couple months back ( https://www.instagram.com/p/Bq51gEvn25a/ ), I continued this three-shot burst of the same scene of Brush Street until I ended up inside of the RenCen itself! Mayhaps, I might make this into a mini-movie with music underneath on my ‘gram!  

East Larned Street - I admit I have not the keenest eye for distortion. This lens I shot with today (Nikkor 35mm f/2 [ca 1982-3]) was put down by Ken Rockwell for having pretty bad distortion (it makes straight lines look curved as the image moves from the center to the edges). This annoyance was pronounced when I shot the brand new Plum Market’s dining room from outside. I could not satisfactorily get straight lines on the edges of my very boxy composition.

Spirit of Detroit Plaza - I struck up a conversation with a man carrying a large backpack with Iraq-War-style U.S. camouflage patterned throughout its sections. I jokingly asked if he had brought everything he needed, and he laughed and replied, “No, I do not have a peanut butter and jelly sandwich!” I replied, “Some folks are deathly allergic to nuts, so maybe that was a good thing!” He said, “Well, I am not, so I would still take the sandwich!” :—:— From here, we went back and forth in conversation. I asked if he had served in the military, and he said that he came from a family with several sisters, and because he was the only man amongst his siblings, he was told and also decided to not serve in the military in order to carry on his family name. He added that he had several family members that had served. His father was a marine. His uncle served too (and others). He said that he was a firearms instructor and taught many current and former military folks over the years. He was an older gentleman, in his middle years by my estimation, so I asked if he was from Detroit. He said he was born and raised here and only spent a little while elsewhere. With that answer given, I asked if he remembered the 1967 Race Riots in Detroit. He said yes and gave a bird’s eye view recollection of it but confessed he was quite young when it happened. I asked him about Dan Gilbert and Mile Ilitch. He had broadly favorable thoughts on the former and selected favorable thoughts on the latter. I gave him my card, and he told me something I have heard hundreds tell me: “I will contact you!” He caught his bus, and I went on my own merry way as well.  

Hart Plaza - A couple weeks ago, I emailed the office of the mayor of Detroit to file a formal (as much as I could find online at least) complaint that the American flags in the plaza were shredded at the ends or worse (and in dire need of respectful retirement and replacement). Upon sending the request, I received an automated response that I would get a reply within forty-eight hours. Remember, this is the city of Detroit—I never received a response. That said, the flags were all removed today (that is one step closer to a proper replacement). With or without my cue (perhaps, the flags are on a schedule [at least this is what Roy suggested when we later met up]), the government-perpetuated blight was partially fixed. I noticed that the Canadian flag across the Detroit River still flies (and is in immaculate condition as ever). Next, the city needs to raise up brand new American flags. That is not something I will file another formal complaint about, unless Memorial Day comes and goes with no U.S. flags in the plaza. :—:— Ken Rockwell’s review of the Nikkor 35mm f/2 lens (ais) was that it had bad lens flare, so, with the sun still rising and quite visible in the sky, I tested this assertion myself. There was a good bit of flare. I will hopefully make a lens review video with the shots and footage from today. It was pretty bad flare, but I could also see the artistic merits of using it at times. I guess if one was doing a paid gig that required a perfect representation of the world through the lens, the flare would be a huge issue. Fortunately (perhaps) for me, I am doing street photography in this context, and the flare is just wabi-sabi. :—:— In coursing through the different apertures in video mode on my camera (in order to see if the lens flare was helped or hurt depending on the aperture’s given width), I found that the sunstars that the lens made were just exquisite. Hahaha. I found it so funny that this lens that Mr. Rockwell said was not ever (if one wanted good results photographically) to be pointed at the sun was pretty bang-up precisely when it was pointed at the sun when stopped down. True, the flare was bad, but if you could get past that aesthetically, the sun looked marvelous! :—:— I filmed and did a time-lapse of the sun rising over the Detroit River. I was too impatient to wait for the sun to leave the frame, so I got it halving itself on the top of the composition by the end of the time-lapse that I took. It is a good thing I ducked out early, because I had my usual eleven AM meetup to make with Roy, and it was already nearly nine AM when I finally exited the plaza. 

Campus Martius Park 

Woodward Avenue (northeast side of the street) - Inspired by the change in my habitual path earlier (when I took Brush Street all the way to the RenCen), I decided to walk on the less-interesting side of Woodward Avenue all the way up to the Fisher Building (well, that was my ultimate plan at least). 

The Hudson Site - Here I will admit it:  I include self-portraits in my “top ten” shots often even if there may be an eleventh or twelfth shot in my own rankings that is better, because I want to not be forgotten as the person behind the work you experience here and elsewhere. Maybe the victors write the history. Well, the author certainly writes the history either way (though sometimes at the edge of a sword). I take my prerogative as the author, editor, and publisher of my own work to refer back to myself when it is not plain horrible-looking. :—:— The irony about this is that I strive to have a journalistic cleanness and honesty to my shots and write-ups (editorial opinions here and there notwithstanding). I do not edit my photos, except to straighten horizons and maybe crop slightly into the meat of the composition. This might be an excuse from one without photoshop or the like on his computer, but I also like the challenge of getting a photo right the first time. It keeps me striving for perfection (I hope in a healthy way). 

Comerica Park - Keeping with my otherly path today, I turned right onto Adams Street from Woodward Avenue, headed in the direction of Comerica Park. I thought the angle of the sun at that time of the day made the park look lovely, and like a parched, lone vagabond traversing a desert and seeing an oasis (or at least the supposed image of one), I walked toward the park in search of my next picture. The light looked not as good up close as it did from further away (it was but a mirage of a good shot after all). I might have gotten the shot after all had I a longer lens on me or if I was willing to crop the shot taken with my Nikkor 35mm f/2 (ca. 1982/3) lens, but I decided to get super low to the ground (one of my favorite perspectives of all) and make the park look epic. The shots I got were not as inspiring as hoped, so I turned left onto Witherell Street (which runs directly along the side of the Detroit MLB stadium). :—:— Earlier in the day, I photographed a homeless man that I did not initially know was homeless. He asked to be pictured, and that is what I did. As I walked in the direction of Woodward Avenue (heading through the double parking lot for handicap folks), I spied a pair of tents illegally set up in the road that split the two handicap parking lots. The tents were placed atop manholes that leaked excess hot steam that was meant to heat buildings. There were other manholes leaking steam near the tents, and the sun lit the plumes a golden-whitish hue that was marvelous to behold alongside the bright colors of the tents. As I passed by the first tent, I saw a homeless man peak his head out from its entrance, and I jokingly asked if he was camping out already for Black Friday’s deals. He glared at me and said something hateful under his breath. :—:— It is my rule to not photograph someone when they are in an underhanded position, because I would not want the same done to me. It is the Golden Rule put to action, and I commend all photographers to follow it. Having had the rude awakening last week to seeing a homeless woman counting a wad of cash in big bills that amounted by its size to probably more than I make in a week at my day job, I was a bit wary of empathizing with the excuses the homeless made for their oftentimes (anecdotally-speaking) blatant disregard for the rule of law and basic decency and courtesy besides. I decided to break my own rule and photograph the tents at Tiger’s Stadium. My DSLR (Nikon D800) is not a quiet shooter, and so the clicks in three-shot bursts did not maintain a scene deprived of a person for long, as the homeless man rushed out of one of his tents and started shouting at me invectives for daring to photograph his broad-daylight, lawbreaking campsite. I did not say a word but kept shooting, thinking of the three-thousand-year-old proverb that a soft word turns away wrath. The man was clearly on something, because he worked himself (albeit with a clumsy gait) into a froth of anger and made physical threats against me. I was twenty-feet away crouched low to the ground taking pictures of this scene. I figured that if he rushed me, I could get out in a snap. :—:— The man went into his tent and came out with something in his hand. Before I knew it, he threw it at me, trying to hit me. It was a half-eaten orange. I retorted, “that was perfectly good food, man! Why are you wasting food?” I thought about leaving or staying (the classic fight or flight, or in my case, photograph or flight). I decided in a split second to stay. The man went back into his tent and ramped up his verbal threats as well as his threatening posture. Then, he wound up and threw a sandwich in a sandwich bag at me. It loudly thudded when it hit the ground right next to me. He was drunk, and so he missed. I had already made my point that he had wasted food. I saw the sandwich bag next to me, and I considered that it was probably a direct gift from a kind stranger to him. He did not care about that. He only cared about privacy in the middle of a major city (a contradiction in terms). I talk to homeless folks every week. One question I often ask is, “where are you staying?” Many answer, “Under a bridge” or “under a [public structure].” If this man wanted peace and quiet, camping in the middle of a parking lot in a busy side of town (and with two tents just for his single self!) was not a fitting decision. I thought later of this drunken vagrant: “Two tents equal a fifth,” because only the drunks among the homeless that I see are so ambitiously stupid. I said no grievous words to this homeless man, but I had grievous thoughts (borrowing from last week’s hypocritical spectacle). My presence was to him grievous, so, in keeping with the second half of the aforementioned three-thousand-year-old proverb, I fear I stirred up his anger and brought upon myself what befell me (and it could have been worse [I could have been hurt, and/or my gear could have been damaged]). :—:— One way or the other, I adore the triptych that resulted from this experience. It is a homeless man “pitching” in front of the major league baseball stadium in Detroit! I would love to hear from a baseball expert if his form was proper. 

Woodward Avenue (northeast side of the street) - Forcing myself to stay on a different path than usual, I walked on the less-interesting side of Woodward Avenue. 

Detroit Institute of Art - I clearly do not visit this art museum enough. I have not walked through it since last fall, when I went with my good pal, miss S.C. :—:— As proof of my lack of familiarity with this spot, I accidentally mistook the fountain in the front for a staircase, since it went up by steps. Hahahaha. I did not realize the error of my ways until I want almost to the top. I saw that there was a huge gap, and it only then struck me that it was a turned-off (for the cold season) fountain! No one said you had to have common sense to be a photographer. I just point and shoot what looks interesting to me, and sometimes I even think about what I am shooting! Haha. Photography is a little more than seeing and snapping, but only a little. Once all the distractions of knowing why you are doing what you are doing are assuaged, all you are left with is the meeting of preparation and opportunity (should you will to make something of your abundance [and hopefully with humility, grace, and thankfulness]).  

Detroit Public Library 

WSU Department of Mortuary Science - It did not smell like anything outside of this building, but the winds were low, and the temperature was no higher than 32° F outside. 

The Fisher Building - I made it to the Fisher! I admit that (to me) the Nikkor 35mm f/2 (ca. 1982/3) lens is not the best for architectural photography. I had more pleasure shooting with my Nikkor 24mm f/2.8 (ca. 1971) lens that I did with the 35mm lens. It was just too zoom-y for me. Haha. That reminds me of a story I heard about Monty Python alum and thereafter director extraordinaire (on his own), Terry Gilliam. Mr. Gilliam is admittedly an odd fellow (see his body of work for proof). There is one area, where he and I may have pretty close similarities. The man prefers ultra-wide lenses for everything, and he considers a normal lens to be a “zoom” for him. I have to say that I like to get super close to my subjects, and so an ultra-wide is my friend. My 24mm lens is my go-to most weeks in the city (along with my Nikkor 55mm f/1.2 [ca. 1971] [these are my standard camera body companions on my outings]). :—:— Though I desired to use a 24mm or wider outside and inside the Fisher Building, I persisted with the 35mm (even though I brought along [and never used] my 55mm lens in a small camera bag on my side), because today was a day to review this lens, and I was going to use it even when it was not the best choice (as much as I could muster). Once inside the building, I found the folks at the front desk much more hospitable than the ones that occupied it a couple weeks prior   

Woodward Avenue (southwest to northeast side of street) 

East Warren Avenue - Instead of taking Mack Avenue from Woodward Avenue, I took a lesser-known path to Milano Bakery that ushered me past the DMC (Detroit Medical Center), which is the great hospital in Detroit (in my opinion). One day, I will find a neat angle with which to photograph it. Until then, I put my path near its perimeter and gaze at it with a discriminating eye. 

St Antoine Street - A couple weeks back, I joked about the “Knowledge Is Power” phrase engraved into the Vermont marble on the edifice of the Detroit Public Library on Woodward Avenue (in light of the names on either side of the engraving). Well, I took a picture of that phrase at the library, and I saw it again at a school’s marquee, so I photographed it as well. I wonder if they put the phrase there for its own sake or as a nod to the Detroit Public Library (the library would not be a very long bus trip from the school, so perhaps the kids had just visited that same library [who knows?]). The diptych is on my “top ten” shots of the day. 

Mack Avenue 

Milano Bakery - Somehow, I arrived several minutes before Roy did. I used that edge in temporalness to walk up the long (on foot) parking lot to the end, where my security guard pal was parked and on patrol. I used the length of that walk to go back through my camera to find the three shots of the homeless man pitching at Comerica Park (the baseball stadium). We talked about this and that for a couple minutes, and then, I showed my friend the shots. At about that time, Roy pulled up and parked his red Mercedes convertible in the lot, and he walked up to the car to begin talking to the man as well, butting out my part of the conversation. The man is my elder, so I kept quiet and let him get out his complaints about life. He stopped a hair’s length from saying he wanted to off himself; he was in a mood. The security guard tried to paint a picture of rainbows and butterflies, stressing the good in life to instead focus on, but Roy brushed off his tenderness, doubling down on his assurance of his own awful life (and doing so in a dismissive, yet rattled, way). This should have portended a red flag in my mind, but I ignored the signal, focusing on the Roy I was used to dealing with (slightly less-acerbic than that [haha]). :—:— I showed Roy the future triptych of the homeless man chucking the sandwich at me, and he blew up at me in intense fury. We parted with the security guard and started walking in to the bakery. A few steps into our departure, a woman called out to us in the parking lot. She walked up to us and asked if we knew how to get to the pawn shop. Roy, wanting to be the know-it-all said he knew how to get there, but it was clear he was bloviating. Sensing the confusion, the security guard left this vehicle and walked up. “Do you mean Zimmerman’s?” the guard asked. “Yes! That’s the one!” the lady said. Roy butted in again, interrupting the security guard now that he had a place of reference. The guard was endlessly patient with this action, and he let Roy interrupt him again and again. Roy was determined to make himself useful as a power play. Haha. I just stood and watched in bemusement, hoping for a chance to give the guard some backup, should he get uncomfortable with the disrespect. The woman thanked the three of us (I just stood there and contributed nothing, but she was set in her heart to be universally generous), and we once more set out to span the lot to enter the bakery. :—:— Once inside, I plugged in my camera battery charger and my phone charger (in one outlet! [I use an Aluratech USB charger {sadly now discontinued} that leeches power from a plug to charge a device]). Set up and ready to go for a nice, long shoot-the-breeze conversation, I found myself dodging verbal volleys of invectives from a viper I thought was my “dear friend.” :—:— Roy used up the entire time at the bakery to hurl insults and accusations at me (all on account of the picture). He called the photo degrading. He called me disgraceful. And that is about the end of the non-explicit section of his tirade. I should have walked away, but Roy is my friend, and I wanted to get to the bottom of why he was so angry at me. I defended myself, yes, which likely sustained his wrath by giving him an opponent, but I did so in astonished pity for the man. His walls are tall and broad and thick and barbed at the edges—there was no getting through to the guy. I think of the pair of three-thousand-year-old proverbs “reprove a fool, and he will remit from his ways” and “do not reprove a fool, lest he attack you.” I think the contradictory advice from the same author is meant to say that you do not know how correction of another will result. You may be decimated by them, or you may, thankfully, get through to them. I took the chance that my friend was having a bad day (as he had begun the day exclaiming), and I went ahead in reproving him, as a friend. :—:— Maybe the biggest thing that kept me glued to my seat was the fact that I figured no one else would have stayed there through all the insults. To be a difference-maker, maybe one has to be different himself, so I set out to be the exception to his expected end (hoping all the while that I was not feeding abusive tendencies in his heart). :—:— Instead of walking away (I made the excuse in my mind that I wanted to let my camera battery charge yet longer), I finally told Roy, “You have made your point. There is nothing more that I need to hear from you,” and we both sat in profound silence for a long time. I checked the international headlines, reading several news articles as Roy stared through the window to the outside business in the city in his own outworking of quietude. :—:— I have been quoting proverbs from Proverbs in this write-up. The Bible is the greatest book of all time; I know that, because I went to a splendiferous school. It was small (including myself, there were fourteen kids in my graduating class), and it was strict (I joke it was like the movie “Footloose” [which I have never seen but loosely understand] for thirteen years), but it was very good. I credit it with any sort of brain function that goes on behind my babbling. Well, as Providence would have it, after many minutes of this silence, I heard, “Ryan?” Hahaha. Last week, I heard that from my pal, Devin. This week, I heard it from an alumna from my high school. I looked, and it was her and her mother, who was also our third-grade teacher. What a coincidence, and what timing! We got up and hugged and chatted for a hot second. It was a glorious reuniting, but I was uncomfortable because of what just happened with Roy. I kept wondering if they had heard our back and forth. I was embarrassed either way, because I did not go on to conquer the world, as many of my classmates have from our tiny but ambitious school. The two were doing well, and my schoolmate had had a son. I wish them the best. :—:— When we parted to return to our respective tables, I explained to Roy who the folks were, and I added, “Shall we make peace?” Roy stared at me, and I said, “You have said your peace, and there is nothing more to say.” He took this as a completionist’s challenge, and he proceeded to say racist things between curse words lobbed at me. Again, I thought about walking away, but this time it would have been in front of two people that knew me half of my present time on earth. Those folks knew me well. They knew me as a child. I grew up with them, and here I was, carousing (by the looks of it) with a thoroughly vulgar character. I probably do not respect myself enough (I do not respect myself enough). I stayed and faced the onslaught of evil from Roy’s lips. In retrospect, I should have left, but I made excuses and sat through the persecution needlessly. There should be a line in the sand in my heart. I should name my price in the beginning, dignity-wise. I had not considered my own honor enough when I let him continue without my exiting. I regret that. :—:— Roy was not interested in going to the oriental supermarket, suggesting the middle eastern one instead. I agreed, and I said goodbye to my old friends as I left. 

Dearborn Fresh Supermarket - We rode in Roy’s red Mercedes convertible to the grocery store in Dearborn. On the way, I thought about exiting the vehicle at every stop. I thought about never talking to the dude again. I have a huge heart, but that should (if being healthy with oneself) be balanced by a huge sense of self-worth, which I need to work on developing in these areas of personal intrusion (I had too many bad characters reinforce the weakness I still feel). We walked around a bit before sitting in the dining area in the back. Roy’s acid tongue was in full force. I will stop here in my description of the events with Roy. There was a lot said by the man that is far beyond publication for reasons not even hinted at thusfar. 

Greektown - Freedom! I was dropped off here, and I was on my own! I could breathe the polluted Detroit air in peace! 

Donald “Sunn” Anderson’s Street Art Stand 

David Bosco Willis’ Street Sax Spot - I asked my sax pal (with “three first names”) if he had gotten a rental saxophone to replace his broken one. He said no. He told me he had fixed the thing himself! :—:— In asking how he was able to repair the instrument, he decided to educate me in the origin of the saxophone. As he was explaining how Adolphe Sax invented it (hence the name) and how the mechanics of the instrument worked, a passerby finished his sentence! I laughed and exclaimed, “How many times does an expert walk by as you are having a conversation?” Continuing the lesson on the history of the saxophone, my pal David explained the history of the saxophone coming into its own and started being used as a more standout element in music. This was ten-seconds after the interruption, and a second man finished David’s sentence! I exclaimed once more, “This is amazing! Where are these people coming from? Band practice from their orchestra?” David and I laughed. The lesson continued. David was talking about his way of playing the saxophone, and then, a lady interrupted us, saying, “Why are you not playing your saxophone?” Then she turned to me and said, “It’s you! You are distracting him!” Hahaha. I laughed and apologized and said, “He will play his saxophone very soon!” Before parting, as David picked up and played his sax, I stayed a while longer, taking photos from many angles of Mr. Willis. One of those shots made this week’s “top ten.”

The Broadway (and Shoes) - That this place is closed is a sad thing. 

The Belt 

David Klein Gallery - Today was a three-o’clock final-day-of-the-exhibition gathering that including Andrew Kreiger, one of the three featured artists. I gave Mr. Kreiger my card and said hello to everyone. I thanked the nice folks that worked there for telling me about the street photography contest that they emailed me about over a week ago, and I added that I was having trouble picking my “top ten” (I always do ten, don’t I? Haha) for the contest. The gallery director told me I should go with my gut over what my friends suggested. I agreed. :—:— I am not the biggest schmoozer, so I left before the gathering kicked up. I would have sat in a corner otherwise the whole time awkwardly. I do not want to be a bump on a log nor a bother, but perhaps that can be remedied one day. I just need a better angle from which to approach these gatherings. 

Woodward Avenue (southwest side of street) 

The Hudson Site - I saw my hip-hop pal, “Shadow Klan” plying his trade to passersby. I exclaimed his name loudly, and we hugged. We chatted a bit, and I started photographing the man. I showed him the portrait and animated GIF that I took and made from seeing him last week. I said that I needed to get him in front of a more interesting backdrop to make an even better animated GIF. With that explanation received, he and I started looking for an interesting spot very near by to do this next GIF. We landed on being just in front of my favorite cafe in Detroit.  

Urban Bean Co. - This is my favorite cafe in Detroit. Mr. “Shadow Klan” and I worked off one another as we found a rhythm between the camera and the character. I got him in front of the park, and I stood still and low, letting him go in and out of camera and go in and out of focus. It was magical. I look forward to making more of these every time I see him. We could have enough content for a sweet music video one day! 

Campus Martius Park - Automatically interesting: a man with a goat in the middle of a major city. I have photographed this man before at DEMF 2018. I told him to send me a message to see his shots I took of him. I found it challenging to get the goat up close in focus manually focusing at f/2, and I was too stubborn to try for a narrower aperture. Haha. I failed to get an up-close shot of just the goat’s face, but I got a neat shot of a security guard (who explained that because he and his friends deemed him the Greatest Of All Time [G.O.A.T.], he had to stop and get a photo with the goat [”the G.O.A.T. with the goat”]). That shot is in my “top ten” as well. This serendipity made for a beautiful end to the day. It is good to end on a high note, and this seemed like mine!

Greektown 

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WHAT WENT ON ON THIS DAY OUT IN DETROIT?

I shot with a new (to me) lens, the Nikkor Ai-S 35mm f/2 (ca. 1982/3). This was a pleasure (mostly) to use. The sun flare is apparent, as is the barrel distortion. This lens is not absolutely perfect, but it is still lots of fun to use. I love the f/2 maximum aperture for its low-light chops and bokeh fall-off. It magnifies my photographic modus. :—:— I photographed a triptych of a homeless man throwing a sandwich in a sandwich bag at me. I did not get hurt. I left right after. The man was deranged. I think this triptych can live on, though. I see some power in the triple-image I took. We will see over time, I suppose. :—:— I had a bad time with my friend, Roy. He was a grumpy oaf. The move is just a stressful time for Roy, and I wanted to be the light I hope I am in his life. His life has lots of darkness, and there is more oxygen in the air for the guy when I am around I think. :—:— It is always noteworthy to bump into a noteworthy (diligently, quite-successfully-working) artist. Andrew Kreiger was making an appearance at the David Klein Gallery for the last day of an exhibit there that among two other internationally-recognized artists, had his own work on display there. I always ponder if there is anything different about them or everything different about them (or something in between) from the rest of folks. I take pictures; I do not make images or shapes from scratch. I cannot understand (at this point) the mindset to create like these folks do. Going to the gallery to think on this (I hope) helps. :—:— I saw a goat in the heart of Downtown Detroit. I have seen this goat before. Its owner went to DEMF in 2018, and I photographed him and his goat (I called the shot, “Millennial Bohemian,” because that is just what the man appears to be going for [probably without conscious effort]).     

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⋰B⋰U⋰Z⋰Z⋰W⋰O⋰R⋰D⋰S⋰

“Inside baseball” locations and concepts talked about in this Detroit Street Photography Session  —

●  Cotton Ball - This is my secret weapon on a cold day. A little piece torn off a cotton ball in each ear seems to keep my ears warmer and pain-free (provided I am also wearing a winter hat over the ears as well. I cannot recommend this enough. Yeah, it reduces my hearing, but I talk louder with them, so maybe I am heard better? Hahaha. I hope it is not obnoxious.  

●  RenCen - This is a nickname for the Renaissance Center (I would wager most Detroiters that know the presently-tallest building in Detroit’s name as this are also unable to spell the word “renaissance” without spellcheck or autocorrect aiding them). Then again, I just as much think most Millennials that know the current popular name of their own generation cannot spell the word “Millennial” without spellcheck or autocorrect aiding them. Is this more akin to a fish not knowing it is wet or to a bakeshop owner not knowing that the numbers on his toaster at home correspond to time (minutes) and not temperature?

●  Plum Market - I heard years ago that of all of America’s major cities, Detroit had the least rats and mice in it (New York had the most at the time). The explanation for this aside from how barren the city is of people (compared to most major cities) was that there were no, or only a couple, grocery stores in the city, thus greatly reducing the ready, year-round food supply for the rodents.   The Plum Market is an upscale grocer that just opened up on Woodward Avenue and East Larned Street in the heart of downtown across from the Spirit of Detroit Plaza (not far from Hart Plaza, which is where the city of Detroit itself was founded about three-hundred-and-eighteen years ago. I welcome the fresh produce. I shun the presumed coming influx of rats.

●  Ken Rockwell - This man is the paterfamilias of online lens (and camera) reviews. He is detailed and fair and personally experienced and knowledgable in the industry as well as the art of photography. For one such as myself that uses and seeks “new” (to me) old glass, his website is a constant companion to my journey with photography. Should he not outlive me, I will be sad the day his site ends its updates. No one else does what he does as well and honorably as he does it. Maybe right-brained folks (which are many of the creatives that do photography) are given to more drama than most, but I have never heard a bad word about this man. He is trustworthy. His body of work will be sought and sourced by amateurs (on up to professionals) for as long as the internet (and whatever else down the line arrives) exists, I predict. 

●  Wabi-sabi  - I despise woo-woo concepts. Taking the eastern mysticism angle out (which is there for those gullible-enough to even entertain it), this is the concept of finding beauty amidst (in fact on account of) imperfection.  

●  Sunstar - Imagine an adolescent’s crayon drawing of a diurnal outdoor scene in the summer with a clear sky. The sun would look (perhaps) like a yellow circle with an orange, jagged (saw blade-shaped) outline around its end. Minus the color, this is what a sunstar loosely resembles. So, yes, that was a pretty accurate drawing many kids (including yourself, possibly) produced after all (if you are looking at the sun through many stopped down lenses [not all produce this effect]). 

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✦ If you ever have any questions, feel free to email me. I am here for you. Email:  ryanellisphoto@gmail.com

            .—.

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_.==.__.“”“”“.______n__

d __ _____.-’ ’-.  ________b

| [__]       /.”“”“.\ _  D800 |

|            // /” “\  \_)           |

|             \ \__/  //             |

| Nikon     `.__.’/               |

\====== `-..-’ =======/

`—————————’  

[robertshugartca]

Number of customer reviews: 6511. Average rating: 4.5/5....

Number of customer reviews: 6511. Average rating: 4.5/5. Collagen supplements have been making waves in the wellness world for a while now, and according to nutritionists, they can play a role in hair and skin health. Due to collagen’s rising popularity, there are tons of formulas on the market, but this powder from Sports Research is the unanimous Amazon fave. “My hair is growing insanely fast. How do I know this? Because I touch up my roots to cover grays, which I needed to do every four weeks (exactly) and now have to do it between two and three weeks. That is INSANE. There is also much more new hair that is now very noticeable,” explained one happy reviewer named Gavilan. Number of customer reviews: 3131. Average rating: 4/5. Despite the fact we have an initial eye-roll reaction when it comes to gummy supplements, according to the overwhelming surplus of positive Amazon reviews, these are one of the best products you can get your hands on for hair growth. They’re vegetarian, cruelty-free, and strategically formulated with essential nutrients starved strands crave like biotin, folic acid, and vitamin D. “My hair was falling out in clumps and getting super thin in the front,” explained one reviewer Cyferguson. On the recommendation of my hairstylist, I ordered these gummies and now have tons of new hair growth. I’m so pleased, and they taste amazing. I have trouble limiting myself to the recommended dose!“ Number of customer reviews: 9183. Average rating: 4.5/5. Biotin and coconut oil are two of the most infamous ingredients when it comes to hair health. Thus, when the two come together in this epic hair growth product from Sports Research, it came as no surprise the results (and reviews!) are impressive. "I started to see a difference in as little as 2 weeks!” exclaims Antoinette Castillo on Amazon. “My hair was no longer falling out as much in the shower, and I began to see baby hairs growing in where my hair was thinning. I’m glad to have found a product that actually works. Even other people are noticing that my hair is growing back which definitely gives me a confidence boost.” Number of customer reviews: 6600. Average rating: 4/5. Thanks to the team of hair experts at Hairfluence, this well-reviewed hair growth product contains not only superstar ingredient biotin but also a complete synergistic blend boasting a variety of essential vitamins, minerals, and amino acids that work together to ensure faster-growing and healthier hair. “I finished my first bottle, and I’m ordering another one!” satisfied reviewer KristinaM confesses. “The most noticeable effect I noticed during the first month is not the hair growth but the reduction of hair loss. I lose about half the hair I used to lose in the shower since taking Hairfluence.” Number of customer reviews: 1742. Average rating: 4/5. Combining pivotal ingredients like a whopping 5000 MCG of biotin in addition to helpful side hustlers like vitamin C and other B vitamins, these coated caplets from Nature’s Bounty are a slam dunk for expedited hair growth. “I have Systemic Lupus Erythematosus,” one Amazon reviewer disclosed. “Because of this disease, I have some hair loss, plus, thanks to all the biologic drugs I have to take, I had massive bald spots. My hair was falling out in the handfuls, so I was referred by a friend to take these vitamins. I started taking them and within 2 months had lots of new growth in my bald spots. I have continued to take the vitamins and my hair is full and beautiful."  Number of customer reviews: 4614. Average rating: 4.5/5. If you’re not into poppable supplements, a high-quality shampoo or topical formula can also do the trick. This one is maximum strength and contains TLC-gifting ingredients like biotin, provitamin B5, zinc, coconut oil, and other hair-healthy botanicals. "Love this! I have thinning hair due to genetics and bariatric surgery; huge amount of hair fall. Since using this shampoo, the hair fall has significantly decreased and I can feel stubblies (is that a word?) on top of my head,” a reviewer named Carol says. Number of customer reviews: 3923. Average rating: 4.5/5. Many experts we’ve talked to recommend castor oil to aid lash and eyebrow growth, but word on Amazon is that the special oil can also work hair growth wonders on top of the scalp. (We also love that this formula is USDA-certified organic and cold-pressed!) “I am now a fan of castor oil!” one Amazon reviewer practically shouts. “I’ve always read that castor oil was great for hair growth, so I decided to give it a try. I’ve been using it on my eyebrows, lashes, and on my hair (my hair is natural, veryyyyy curly and colored), and in a month I can already tell a difference. My eyebrows seem much thicker, my hair is so soft, thick, and healthy. My lashes are looking thicker and longer. I also use this on my skin.” Number of customer reviews: 1849. Average rating: 4.5/5. According to the experts at Propidren, one of the main factors in terms of hair loss is the production of dihydrotestosterone or DHT (and our research backed this up!). Thus, the brand set out to launch a product containing clinically proven DHT blockers that synergistically stop hair loss while encouraging regrowth and enhanced hair thickenss. “I am a breast cancer survivor in remission. I am thrilled to add this to my regimen for the regrowth of my hair. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS WORKING FORMULA! Glad to see my results,” says Amazon reviewer Crystal Ly. Number of customer reviews: 1373. Average rating: 4.5/5. Almost every dermatologist I’ve ever chatted with about hair health has told me that scalp massage is one of the best things you can do to stimulate hair follicles for increased growth. This adorable, ultra-soft massaging shampoo brush is just the antidote you need. Reviewers say it also helps heal flakes, itchiness, tangles, and stress. Number of customer reviews: 579. Average rating: 4.5/5. Any product that reads “hair fertilizer” immediately piques our interest. Ideal for African American hair types, this deep conditioner is meant to heal hair that’s been damaged due to braiding, heat, and chemicals. Essentially, it utilizes key power players like proteins, vitamins, olive oil, shea butter, and oils from peppermint and sweet almond to treat and restore weak and brittle strands. Just look at the below happy review for proof. “100% works!! Warning, it does feel like an Icy-Hot on your scalp. The first time it was kind of a shock, but it hasn’t bothered me since, and it has definitely helped my hair grow double what it normally would. I usually use it every other day, and I’ll leave it on for about five minutes in the shower. It has definitely helped to heal the damage in my hair.” Number of customer reviews: 351. Average rating: 4.5/5. With all-natural and pure ingredients, this is one of the most beloved growth-promoting hair products on Amazon’s market. The formula includes castor oil, caffeine, rosemary oil, and biotin to infuse both scalp and strands with essential omega-6 fatty acids, minerals, proteins, and vitamin E. “I have been wearing my hair natural for a year now,” confides reviewer Erin Graham on Amazon. “I trust Aroamas products, but when I find something that is exceptional, I have to rave about it. I started using this oil about three weeks ago. Since then, I have been religiously using it every night. I can tell the difference in the health of my scalp. It feels nourished and healthy and it is evidenced in the rapid growth of my hair. This is a definite keeper in my arsenal of products for natural hair.” Whenever someone asks me about hair growth supplements, these tablets from Viviscal are the first to pop out of my mouth. I’ve talked to scores of hairstylists who recommend them (and whose A-list clients use them on the reg), and they personally helped rehab my hair after I struggled with an eating disorder in high school. I love and swear by countless products from Hum Nutrition (specifically Flatter Me, $25; Beauty Zzzz, $10; and Ripped Rooster, $40), but these hair-boosting gummies are by far my fave, and I swear on my life to anyone who will listen that they’ve completely transformed my hair in the past year since I’ve started taking them. They taste great (but I recommend eating them with food because they contain zinc), and my hair has never looked so thick or grown so fast. By addressing multiple causes for thinning strands and poor hair health, Nutrofol has basically designed the holy-grail hair supplement that scientifically works to boost thickness, length, and overall hair happiness. Powered by plants and a bounty of nature’s best hair healers, the impressive ingredient list includes things like ashwagandha, saw palmetto, hydrolyzed collagen, tocotrienols (vitamin E), a special form of curcumin extracted from turmeric, among other antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. Next up, 11 drugstore beauty products we spotted on the red carpet this year.

source https://gothify1.tumblr.com/post/183487450355

[i-globalone]

When thinking of the culinary scene in Dallas, Texas, it is probably steakhouses and Tex-Mex joints that spring to mind. However, there is so much more on offer when dining out in this city. Another popular option is seafood restaurants, and there is a diverse range of options when it comes to this type of restaurant. There is everything from budget and family-friendly eateries to upscale fine dining establishments, and traditional American fare to globally inspired cuisine. To help you decide which are the best seafood restaurants to try, here are the 20 best seafood restaurants in Dallas.20. Sea Breeze Fish MarketAll the seafood ingredients you would expect to find in a seafood restaurant are available to buy from the market to take home or to have cooked for you in the restaurant. Many people sit at the bar with a beer to eat their food, as this is a very casual place to eat. One thing that you can count on is the freshness of the ingredients served. One of the most popular options on the menu is the lobster roll, which former diners have reviewed as delicious.19. Dallas Fish MarketDespite its name, this is not a market at all; it is an upscale seafood restaurant located in Downtown Dallas. The restaurant is run by executive chef Richard Triptow who produced elegant seafood dishes that look stunning on the plate. The menu is created using only the freshest ingredients, including oysters that are flown in daily. One of the more unusual items on the menu is the tuna pizza, which is a tortilla topped with fresh tuna, chile tomatoes, serrano, wasabi mayo, and pickled red onions. Once a week, there is sushi night. 18. Cajun TailgatorsCajun Tailgators began life as a Dallas food truck, says Dallas Eater. Now it has a permanent space in the Dallas Farmers Market and has its own seating area. This is one of the best places to enjoy a casual seafood lunch that is full of Cajun flavors. Expect to see items such as gumbo and po’boys on the menu, or try the house specialty crawfish pistolettes.17. Hook, Line & SinkerA funky restaurant with a trendy vibe is Hook, Line & Sinker. On the outside of the restaurant, there is a patio seating area with old boat motors hung around the space, It is equally as interesting on the inside of the restaurant. The menu features crowd-pleasing dishes, such as gumbo, seafood chowder, shrimp Po boys, fried oysters, and snow crab dishes. There is a vast array of side dishes available, and the desserts are divine.16. Lovers Seafood & MarketLovers Seafood & Market is the second restaurant opened by Lynae Fearing and Tracy Rathbun, and their food concept is Shinsei. In addition to the restaurant, there is a market where you can buy the same ingredients included in the menu to take home and create your own dishes. A popular option in the restaurant is the sharing dish tempura-fried lobster spoons. Other popular options include the pan-seared halibut, the pecan-crusted rainbow trout, and the battered fish and chips. 15. Montlake CutYou will find Montlake Cut on Westchester Drive in the University Park district of the city. It is a nautical-themed restaurant with interior design features including boat paddles. The menu is inspired by the Pacific Northwest and features everything from taco plates to noodle dishes. This restaurant also has a raw bar, an oyster bar, and a Neo Crudo. It is worth noting that the accompaniments on the menu are interesting and delicious. This restaurant is owned by restaurateur Nick Badonvinus, and it has a sophisticated vibe that is perfect for special occasions.14. The Boiling CrabCajun style cooking is synonymous with seafood, and fans of Cajun cuisines will love The Boiling Crab. Located in North Dallas, this restaurant has a build-your-own style menu. This means that diners select their preferred catch and then add a sauce and a spice of their liking. Some of the options include mussels, crab, shrimp, lobster, and crawfish. Some of the serving options include lemon pepper, garlic sauce, or the restaurant’s specialties The Whole Sha-Bang! And Rajun Cajun. There are also fried options and side orders available on the menu.13. The Oceanaire Seafood RoomPaper City Mag lists The Oceanaire Seafood Room as one of the top places to eat seafood in Dallas. The restaurant is located inside Galleria Dallas, and it serves a wide array of fish and seafood, including lobster, redfish, salmon, and swordfish, Many of the dishes are simply prepared with lemon butter so that diners can enjoy the natural flavors of the seafood. This restaurant also has an oyster bar, and there are three-hour happy hours on weekdays when diners can enjoy food and drink at reduced prices. 12. Rex’s Seafood MarketLocated in the Lovers Lane area, Rex’s Seafood Market is a big hit with the locals. This casual restaurant is especially busy during lunch service. Although the menu is varied, it is the fresh oysters and the oyster dishes that are the most popular options on the menu. The restaurant has a great vibe that is perfect for hanging out with friends while enjoying a casual meal and a few drinks.11. Truluck’sTruluck’s is a chain restaurant with a location in Dallas on McKinney Avenue. Diners can enjoy a wide range of seafood or steak dishes in swanky surroundings with the option to sit at the 90-seat bar. One of the highlights of the menu for seafood lovers is the seafood tower. The stone crab dishes are also a delicious option. There is an extensive wine list to choose the perfect wine to accompany your meal, regardless of whether you have opted for seafood or steak. There are happy hours throughout the week when diners can enjoy cut-price food and drinks.10. Café PacificIn business for more than 30 years, Café Pacific is a well-established business that has an excellent reputation for both its seafood and its steaks. This old-school style, upscale restaurant features marble floors and dark mahogany. Despite the traditional appearance, it has managed to remain current over the years by adapting the menu so that it includes both old favorites alongside innovative, modern food. While this has attracted new customers, they have also maintained a regular client base by delivering consistently good customer service. Customers can snack on complimentary shoestring sweet potato fries before ordering. It is advisable to book a table in advance and make sure you follow the dress code, which prohibits flip-flops, shorts, and T-shirts. 9. 20 Feet Seafood JointFor those who enjoy the simple and delicious flavors of fried seafood, the Dallas Observer recommends 20 Feet Seafood Joint. The chef at the helm of this shack-like restaurant is Marc Cassel, who formerly worked at the Green Room. He has earned a reputation for his excellent culinary skills, and he is now applying these to serving some of the best fried seafood in Dallas. In addition to the regular menu, there are quirky specials to shake things up a bit. This is a casual establishment with a relaxed ambiance.8. Water GrillThe original Water Grill was opened in Southern California in 1989, and then the Dallas location was added later. There is an oyster bar for oyster lovers, and the main menu features dishes including house-made seafood tortellini and traditional fish and chips. Diners can choose between various seating options as there is seating around the bar, individual tables, and an outdoor patio area. This venue is also known for its cocktails, and there are happy hours on weekdays. The Water Grill has a light and airy feel, thanks to the high ceilings and the floor-to-ceiling windows.7. Hudson HouseLaid-back yet smart, Hudson House serves up all the ingredients you would expect to find at a highly-rated seafood joint. For example, you will find freshly shucked oysters, whole Maine lobster, fresh clams, Alaskan crab legs, and maple planked salmon. This reasonably priced venue is one of the best in the area for oysters and lobster rolls, and there is a happy hour session held on weekdays where many of the dishes and drinks are served half price.6. Ocean Prime- DallasAn upscale restaurant, Ocean Prime serves delicious food in swanky surroundings. Despite the fancy vibe, it is a child-friendly restaurant that offers a kid’s menu. It is also conscious of people’s varied dietary needs, so there is a gluten-free menu and the staff is happy to accommodate dietary requests. Although seafood dishes are the highlight of the menu, there are also steaks and surf and turf options. The drinks here are noteworthy as they serve signature cocktails and a wine list that has been honored by Wine Spectator.5. The KeeperOne of the latest additions to the seafood restaurant scene in Dallas is The Keeper. Visitors are met by an inviting outdoor terrace before entering the chic interior that has a nautical theme. The menu is inspired by the Pacific Rim, and the focus is on serving wild, sustainable fish and seafood that is caught on private fishing boats in areas including Alaska and Hawaii. There are both raw seafood and cooked fish dishes on the menu, and there are flavors from around the globe. Although this is predominantly a seafood restaurant, it will please meat lovers to learn that there are many meat offerings on this menu.4. Uchi DallasSushi lovers should head for Uchi Dallas, which is run by award-winning chef Tyson Cole. Reserving a table in advance is recommended, although it is sometimes possible to walk in and get a table if you are lucky. Although sushi and other seafood options comprise most of the menu, there are also meat dishes for diners who are not seafood enthusiasts. Eating at this restaurant has been described as an innovative Japanese culinary experience.3. TJ’s Fresh Seafood MarketTJ’s Fresh Seafood Market is a restaurant in the Oak Lawn district of Dallas that has been open since 1989, so it is well established and has built an excellent reputation in the local area. The menu consists of warming favorites, such as crab cakes, fish tacos, and shrimp enchiladas. Diners can accompany their meals with an array of interesting and creative sides. There is an extensive wine list featuring both red and white wines that compliment fish and seafood. If you visit this seafood restaurant, save a bit of room for one of the decadent puddings.2. Tei-AnReserving a table in advance is a necessity at this restaurant due to its popularity. This has been the case since it opened in the Dallas Arts District in 2008. Chef-owner Teiichi Sakurai has been nominated for multiple awards for his cooking, so it is hardly surprising that people flock to try his creations. There is an Asian theme running throughout the menu, including sushi and sashimi. The hot entrees are imaginative, and soba dishes are a specialty of this restaurant.1. Five Sixty by Wolfgang PuckAccording to 10 Best, the best seafood restaurant in Dallas is Five Sixty by Wolfgang Peck. You will find this restaurant on the top floor of Dallas’ most iconic landmark, Reunion Tower. It is a revolving restaurant with floor-to-ceiling windows that allow diners to enjoy the stunning panoramic views across the city. This alone makes it a destination restaurant before even considering the menu. It is a modern Asian seafood restaurant with sashimi and sushi featuring strongly on the menu. However, there are plenty of other seafood options along with several dishes featuring meat. This venue is also known for serving some of the best cocktails in the city.

http://www.globalone.com.np/2019/11/the-20-best-seafood-restaurants-in_30.html

[turkeyfeet8-blog]

Spinach Artichoke Dip Recipe

This Spinach Artichoke Dip recipe is too easy; it’s pretty much heating and mixing everything together. This dip is irresistibly creamy and every bite is loaded with spinach and artichokes. Watch the video and you’ll be craving it big time!

Spinach and Artichoke dip is our #1 party appetizer and it always disappears fast. If you love easy party appetizers, try our shrimp avocado salsa and cowboy caviar next!

Spinach Artichoke Dip Recipe:

My co-worker Jason brought this in to work one night and it was so good! I asked for the recipe and wrote it out (on a random piece of paper that later took me 2 days to find) as I was wolfing down the artichoke dip. Thank you Jason for sharing this keeper of a recipe with us. I

should warn you – make this spinach and artichoke dip only when there are plenty of people around to share it with, otherwise you will inevitably eat way, way, way too much (guilty).

Ingredients for Spinach Artichoke Dip:

This dip can be lighter with reduced fat cream cheese and light sour cream.

The canned jalapeños add nice heat without being overpowering.

We use canned quartered artichoke hearts (not marinated)

Can I Use Fresh Spinach?

You can make a fresh spinach and artichoke dip. One of my readers, Victoria, shared her very helpful review on that: “I have made this dip probably a half dozen times or more. I have used fresh spinach (anywhere from 6 to 10 ounces). Works great and so yummy! No need to squeeze anything. Just trim the stems, rough chop and add it in. The heat causes it to wilt just enough.”

How to Make the BEST Spinach and Artichoke Dip:

1. In a medium pot over medium heat, melt together 8oz cream cheese, 16 oz sour cream, 1 stick butter and 1.5-2 cups parmesan cheese, stirring frequently until melted and an even consistency. It should start to bubble.

2. Stir in coarsely chopped artichoke hearts, your drained jalapeños and drained spinach (I used my hands to squeeze spinach over the sink to remove excess water). Finally, stir in 2-3 pressed garlic cloves.

This spinach and artichoke dip is dangerously good – it’s no wonder it’s been pinned millions of times on Pinterest. This recipe is a keeper!

Watch How to Make Spinach and Artichoke Dip:

This spinach artichoke dip is so good, you will want to lick the pot (hundreds of reviews agree!)

If you enjoy our videos, please subscribe to our Youtube Channel and click the bell icon so you’ll be the first to know when we post a new video. THANK YOU for subscribing! We love spending time with you on our Youtube Channel.

Spinach Artichoke Dip Recipe

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes

This Spinach Artichoke Dip recipe is too easy; pretty much heating and mixing. This dip is irresistibly creamy and every bite is loaded with spinach and artichokes.

Author: Natasha of NatashasKitchen.com

Skill Level: Easy

Cost to Make: $9-$12

Calories: 207 kcal

Servings: 10

8 oz cream cheese reduced fat is ok

16 oz light sour cream

1 stick 8 tbsp unsalted butter

1 1/2 cups shredded Parmesan cheese

14 oz quartered artichoke hearts drained and coarsely chopped

4 oz can diced jalapeños drained

10 oz frozen spinach thawed and drained

2-3 garlic cloves pressed

In a medium pot over medium heat, melt together 8oz cream cheese, 16 oz sour cream, 1 stick butter and 1.5-2 cups parmesan cheese, stirring frequently until melted and an even consistency. It should start to bubble.

Stir in coarsely chopped artichoke hearts, your drained jalapenos and drained spinach (I used my hands to squeeze spinach over the sink to remove excess water). Finally, stir in 2-3 pressed garlic cloves.

Serve hot with chips or crackers or toasted baguettes.

Nutrition Facts

Spinach Artichoke Dip Recipe

Amount Per Serving

Calories 207 Calories from Fat 135

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 15g 23%

Saturated Fat 9g 45%

Cholesterol 54mg 18%

Sodium 660mg 28%

Potassium 266mg 8%

Total Carbohydrates 9g 3%

Dietary Fiber 1g 4%

Sugars 1g

Protein 8g 16%

Vitamin A 82.4%

Vitamin C 5.7%

Calcium 29.4%

Iron 18.8%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

If you make this recipe, I’d love to see pics of your creations on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter! Hashtag them #natashaskitchen

Source: https://natashaskitchen.com/spinach-and-artichoke-dip-recipe/

[weditchthemap]

A Travel Guide to Gaziantep - Turkey's Culinary Capital in Southeast Anatolia

A Brief Overview of Gaziantep

Traveling to Turkey? Make sure to add Gaziantep to your itinerary! Renowned for it’s cuisine, Gaziantep is a top gastronomic destination. In fact, Gaziantep’s food is so remarkable that it’s been recognized by UNESCO. Some sources even call Gaziantep “the food capital of the world.” In addition to the food scene you’ll find the world’s largest Mosaic Museum, an authentic coppersmith bazaar, a millennia-old castle, and hand-made leather (Yemeni) shoes. These skillfully made shoes are so famous that they were used on the set of Harry Potter - even Brad Pitt owns a pair.

Colloquially called Antep, Gaziantep is located in southeast Turkey. It’s one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. Located just 60 miles (95km) north of Aleppo, it is the 6th most populous city in Turkey. It’s accessible by plane and bus—you will find transit information about how to get to Gaziantep here. While Cappadocia is famous for it’s hot air balloons and Istanbul for its Blue Mosque, Gaziantep is famous for it’s food, especially pistachios. Pistachios are one of the most important ingredients in Gaziantep’s world famous baklava. You can find baklava in hundreds of shops throughout the city. Actually, did you know that Gaziantep is the birthplace of this tasty and buttery baked delicacy? Keep reading to learn more about the city’s best baklava.

Walking the Streets of Gaziantep

Despite being a large city, with a population of about 2 million people, Gaziantep holds onto traditional values. Whereas in the western region of Turkey head scarfs are the most common choice by women, in Gaziantep the head scarf is often times worn in addition to loose conservative clothing. It still did not seem as conservative as Urfa, our previous destination in Turkey. Interestingly, I read that many ‘Urfans’ compare Gaziantep to Las Vegas saying it’s full of “sin and lust.” Considering that you can’t find a drop of alcohol in Urfa but beer is available at some shops in Gaziantep, I suppose the analogy holds true, but perhaps only on a relative basis.

The city has grown over 30% in recent years due to the Syrian refugee crisis. Gaziantep is currently home to 400,000 Syrian refugees. It was documented that on one day they once accepted over 20,000 individuals. Learn more about Turkey and their Syrian refugees. Predictions put total Syrian refugees in Turkey to exceed 5 million by 2028.

Where to Stay in Gaziantep

If you stay in Old Town, almost everything is within walking distance. We visited in the summer month of July and daily temperatures approached 100 degrees F (38c). Unless you are in Gaziantep for an extended period of time (more than 4 days) I would encourage you to stay within the central part of the city known as Old Town. Unlike Istanbul this midsize city goes without crowded sidewalks and unrelenting noise. Feel free to adventure into other neighborhoods to catch a glimpse of student, hipster, or Syrian life—just keep in mind that you’ll want travel tips and advice from a local as I couldn’t find a comprehensive travel blog about neighborhoods outside of Gaziantep’s Old Town.

We stayed at the lovely Tugcan Hotel (the golden star in the map below.) We spent 4 nights soaking up the luxury and comfort of this centrally located hotel. Everything from the diverse foods served at breakfast to the variety of saunas in the spa left us completely satisfied.

What to do Do in Gaziantep

Gaziantep is a city for the senses from tasting meat stews accompanied with yogurt, salivating over stuffed eggplant kebab, viewing ancient mosaics the size of ballrooms, hearing hammering at the coppersmith bazaar, to smelling rich, buttery baklava. Read the sections below for detailed information on how to plan your trip to Gaziantep. Green flags on the map depict the locations of things described below. If you get an early start you can accomplish everything on the map in 1 day (note, not everything described below is on the map but is within a 3 minute walk to any given flag). The map is just to show you how close most things are (within walking distance).

Here is another travel blog for planning your trip to Turkey’s Gaziantep region.

What to See in Gaziantep

Mosaic Museum (Zeugma Mosaic Museum) - This is likely the farthest attraction you’ll visit while in Gaziantep, however it is the primary tourist attraction of this region in Turkey. It’s north of the highway listed as D400 on the map above. It’s easily accessible by taxi or bus, if you feel adventurous. We walked from Old Town but I would not recommend this during the summer months. The Mosaic Museum is free with a Turkish museum pass or 20 Lira ($3.5 USD) a person.

Culinary Museum (Gaziantep Emine Göğüş Mutfak Müzesi) - Informative, centrally located, and a great way to jumpstart your culinary adventure in Gaziantep. The cost is 2 Lira ($.35 USD) per person.

Castle (Gaziantep Kalesi) - Located in the Seferpasa area of Gaziantep (just north of Old Town), the castle is easy to find. It is the most prominent landmark in the city.

Toy Museum (Gaziantep Oyun ve Oyuncak Müzesi) - On display here are about 600 handmade toys dating from 1700 – 1990, as well as many others, including toys based on cartoon characters and doll houses. You will find this right in the middle of the city!

Mosques - Liberation Mosque/Independence Mosque, Ömeriye Camii, Alaybey Mosque are the popular ones but they are all over.

Coppersmith Bazaar (Bakircilar Carsisi) - I had a hard time distinguishing between the “general bazaar” and the “coppersmith bazaar”. If they are two distinct entities they blend into each other seamlessly. Walk around the bazaar and watch the craftsmen engraving, welding, hammering, and sharpening copper items. I tried to haggle but was shocked at the relative standardization of many of their prices. Don’t worry too much about trying to save money as the prices are reasonable. If you want something to remember Turkey and your budget travel means a Turkish rug is too expensive you can still afford some of these beautifully hand-crafted pieces of art. It was nice to see that the goods are produced on site. Unlike other bazaars, like the grand bazaar in Istanbul, the shop keepers didn’t hassle us as we walked from shop to shop.

English Language Films and Shopping Malls - This is the first time we have seen English-Language films east of Antalya. There are three malls in the city and all three of them have at least some showings of movies in English. If you want to shop or catch a movie check out the malls. The closest and in walking distance to Old Town is the Forum Gaziantep. Next there is the Sanko Park Shopping mall which is a bit farther outside and west of Old Town. Lastly there is the Primemall Gaziantep AVM which is located 20 minutes away by bus in the University section of the city.

What to Eat in Gaziantep

I’m sure you’re asking yourself, “where should I eat when visiting Gaziantep?” There is a long and short answer to that question. The short one first—anywhere - you won’t be disappointed! For the long answer, keep reading.

Imam Cagdad – Receiving over 7,000 reviews on Google and ranking in the top 5 places to eat in the area do not miss this large kebab and baklava restaurant right next to the bazaar. We split a simit kebab (bulgur, garlic, and mint with ground meat), a coban salad, and some ezme. The waiter could not quite understand why we only ordered one meat dish for two people. Salads are seen as side items—most places will actually give you unlimited salads for free as the expectation is that you will order meat as your meal. The restaurant is huge and you shouldn’t have to wait more than a few minutes for a table. Expect to sit next to strangers mid-meal as the restaurant uses rows of tables. Prices are very reasonable given the quality and location.

We strolled through the alleys early in the morning watching the city come alive. Most shops were still closed but we spotted the occasional baker getting ready for the day.  We walked in to small shop where two men worked to make the small crispy strings of dough - shredded filo dough - used in many types of baklava and kadayif.

Katmerci Abdo Usta – A trip to Gaziantep isn’t complete without tasting the regional breakfast treat, Katmer. Traditionally eaten by brides and grooms on the morning following their wedding, this heavy dish packs a lot into a tasty package. Katmer should be made to order. We enjoyed watching the phyllo dough get filled with sugar, pistachio, clotted cream, then painted with copious amounts of butter. When taken out of the oven the katmer was allowed to settle as it was puffed with air. Another sprinkle of the green pistachio powder and then dish was ready to be cut and served.  Katmer isn’t quite as ubiquitous as baklava shops (you won’t go more than 100 feet (30m) before spotting a baklava shop), but you won’t have a problem finding Katmer.

Tahmis Kahvesi – Located near the Bazaar you can lounge out at this restaurant/cafe and enjoy some zahter tea. The restaurant has an open air café across the street. We hear they play live music on Sundays at 2pm. They are rated #3 in places to eat in Gaziantep, so they’re a popular spot.

Yesemek Restaurant – Rated #4 in places to eat in Old Town this restaurant offers cafeteria style dining with a stunningly beautiful interior. Located a stone’s throw away from Imam Cagdad we were a bit hesitant to eat here since we were eager to try out a new part of town. This fear quickly dissipated as the friendly man in front allowed us to sampled the delicious food at the front counter. What we loved the most about this place was how they serve small portions allowing us to sample many items. We ordered 5 mezzes on 1 platter and 5 soups on another platter. Relatively, it was a bit pricey at 70 lira ($12 USD) but we found trying so many different regional dishes to be well worth it.

Kocak Baklava – If you want to try the best baklava in Gaziantep, the city where Baklava was invented, you need to come here. This place (there are actually two locations near each other) is a 20-30 minute walk north west of Old Town. Since the best baklava is known to be in Gaziantep, which supplies 90% of the country’s buttery treat, it is very probable that this place has the best baklava available on the entire planet. The service is near perfect. Although they were constantly packaging orders, no doubt being sent all over the world, we managed to get our very own baklava specialist tending to all of our baklava-related needs. It was amazing and you’ll pay for it - prices are about double what you’ll pay in Old Town, but it may be worth it - it’s also rated #2 in places to eat in all of Gaziantep.

Small Streetside Kebab Shops – You really can’t go wrong with wherever you choose to eat in Gaziantep. Walk off the main drag and follow your curiosity…or nose. It’s a safe bet to eat where others are eating. We stumbled upon a kebab shop and decided to eat there, the numerous cats in the alley helped us on that decision. Sylvie ordered a chicken kebab and lentil soup using her Turkish. We had to translate how to ask for extra vegetables. The man serving us was all smiles and seemed really invested in our dining experience. He promptly brought us a few salads and a free small order of cig kofte. When we told him we were from America he was so excited that, after bringing our order, he returned with a scoop of the infamous ground meat we’ve been seeing all over Gaziantep. We have seen the dish, usually in a large metal pot, sitting on a burner in the front of the majority of street side restaurants. The meat is cooked with onions and peppers. I took a taste and wasn’t too fond of it, Sylvie hated it.  Our server used charades to illustrate that the meat was in fact lung meat.

Upon finishing our meal the chef approached us and asked if the food was good.  When we responded that it was delicious his eyes lit up. He took my hand and grabbed me towards him planting two large kisses on both of my cheeks and he gave me a close hug.  He said “Assalamu Alaikum” and taught me how to respond by saying “Wa Alaikumussalam”.

Here is a great primer on Gaziantep cuisine

Meyan Şerbeti - this drink, can be found on the backs of street venders. It’s prepared with the roots of a licorice plant. It has a unique and bitter taste. It’s definitely an acquired taste, but worth a try. It’s supposed to be good for treating coughs and other bronchial ailments.

What to Buy in Gaziantep

1. Souvenirs at the Coppersmith Bazaar

Engraved copper plates and zinc plated copper pitchers can be found in many of the shops at the bazaar. Make sure you take your time inspecting them - from a glance they may look similar but at closer inspection the quality and craftsmanship varies a lot from piece to piece. Expect to pay between 125 and 450 lira on a pitcher ($20 - $80 USD).

Soap - Aleppo soap is likely the oldest soap made in the region. It’s made with laurel and good for the skin and hair. You’ll fine numerous types of organic soaps made from olive and other vegetable oils. The soap will cost you under a dollar.

Yemeni Leather Shoes - Traditional leather shoes are handmade right in Gaziantep. Children shoes were 30 lira and adult shoes were 90 lira ($5 and $16 USD, respectively).

Food Items to Buy

Nuts, Seeds, and Dried Fruit - In addition to the omnipresent pistachio you’ll find stores stockpiled with a variety of nuts, seeds and dried fruit being sold by the weight. You’ll also find snacks like imitation bugles for sale ($1 a pound is a steal). Make your own trail mix but just remember that some store owners get a little weird if you try to measure out the quantity yourself.

Grains - Similar to the nuts and seeds you’ll find dozens of grains in shops for bulk purchase

Other Dried Food (Peppers, Eggplant, etc) - I found this quite interesting. Many shops around the bazaar had large ropes threaded with dried food items hanging in front of their store. At first I just thought they were decoration but one night we ate a stuffed eggplant and learned that the dried food was purchased and then rehydrated to be used for consumption.

Baklava - Although this was in the “things you must eat” section I cannot stress enough the importance of trying all the local baklava. You can see in the picture below that this particular shop (rated #1 in Gaziantep) sells 20 varieties of Baklava. They charge between 70 and 135 lira per kilo ($5.5 to $11 USD per pound).

The Infamous Pistachio - The sheer number of varieties of this infamous nut is mind boggling. You’ll find heaping mounds being sold all over the city. Depending on the type you’ll pay between 45 and 80 lira a kilo ($3.5 - $6.0 USD per pound).

Did you know

Pistachios are so synonymous with Gaziantep, that they are known as Antep fıstık (Gaziantep nut) all around Turkey.

The pistachio, or pistacia vera, is a member of the cashew, mango, and sumac family, and is native to the Eastern Mediterranean.

The Queen of Sheba loved pistachios so much that she demanded the entire pistachio producing region’s harvest be reserved for her.

A pistachio tree takes approximately seven to ten years to mature.

Final Thoughts On Visiting Gaziantep

I hope I have answered your questions on why you should visit Gaziantep. This travel blog is a jumping off point and I encourage you to read more about southeast Turkey—we have found it to be the most rewarding region of Turkey. Please write us with any questions you have and I wish you a happy travels.

If you plan to continue your travels east of Gaziantep do not miss visiting the old Armenian city of Van, the Kurdish Capital of Diyarbakir, or the old Assyrian city of Mardin.

Pin this Gaziantep Turkey Travel Blog to save and read another time.

[anachef]

One-Day Only Wicked Desserts and Drinks for VILLAINTINE’S DAY at Disney’s Contemporary Resort

It’s the day before Valentine’s Day, and we’re celebrating it in a wicked way at Disney World’s Contemporary Resort… join us for Villaintine’s Day!!

Villaintine’s Day sign

Why the celebration? Because, as Disney reminds us, “without Disney Villains, there would be no Disney heroes!” So this dastardly day is being honored with specialty desserts at the Contempo Café and drinks at the Outer Rim lounge for TODAY ONLY.

Contempo Cafe in the Contemporary Resort

So, let’s head to the Contemporary Resort’s 4th floor to see what evil is brewing, starting in Contempo Cafe’s confectionery case…

Villaintine’s Day Desserts

Lots of Contempo Café classics have received makeovers for the occasion, but you’ll also notice lots of new cupcakes in the mix, too. Best of all, if you have a favorite Villain, odds are good you may spot a snack representing them here.

Villaintine’s Day Desserts

Villaintine’s Day Desserts

We’ll check them all out in the case before showing you which ones we chose, beginning with Scar Peanut Butter Pie!

Scar Peanut Butter Pie

Next up? Maleficent Flourless Cake and the Dr. Facilier Cookie Sandwich.

Maleficent Flourless Cake

Dr. Facilier Cookie Sandwich

Captain Hook Cake is the not-so-friendly neighbor to the Cruella de Vil Cupcake.

Captain Hook Cake

Cruella de Vil Cupcake

The Gaston Cupcake is joining the party, too!

Gaston Cupcake

Not to be outdone is the Ursula Cake.

Ursula Cake

But the Evil Queen Fruit Tart believe she’s the fairest one of all…

Evil Queen Fruit Tart

“Hey, how ya’ doin’?” from the Hades Cupcake!

Hades Cupcake

And last, but not least, is the Lotso Bear Strawberry Scented Brownie!

Lotso Bear Strawberry Scented Brownie

How on earth do you choose?

Villaintine’s Day Desserts

By getting more than one, that’s how!

The Contemporary Cafe’s Confetti Cake is what’s hiding underneath its Ursula costume for the day with the Ursula Cake!

Ursula Cake

Ursula Cake

This is always a tasty and fun confetti cake, so it’s great one its own, but the shimmer from the icing is also strikingly pretty, to boot.

Ursula Cake

Ursula Cake

Ursula, you’re a keeper!

So, where does the scent come from in the Lotso Bear Strawberry Scented Brownie?

Lotso Bear Strawberry Scented Brownie

It’s from the candy pearls on top, which offered the only hint of strawberry scent and flavor. Despite the bright Lotso-pink color of the frosting, it is a basic vanilla flavor.

Lotso Bear Strawberry Scented Brownie

And the entire thing is every bit as HUGE as it appears in the picture. This rich, filling, dense, brownie is massive, so consider bringing along your favorite toy to share it with!

The Maleficent Flourless Cake is iced in an eye-catching purple, of course, complete with Maleficent’s signature horns.

Maleficent Flourless Cake

Maleficent Flourless Cake

While it’s quite good with the same fudge-like texture that you’d expect from a flourless cake, there’s nothing unusual about it outside of the design.

Maleficent Flourless Cake

The Cruella de Vil Cupcake steals a bit of the fashion show, though… and would she have it any other way? Look at this thing!

Cruella de Vil Cupcake

The Cupcake is wrapped in a fondant “coat,” dotted with Dalmatian spots, of course!

Cruella de Vil Cupcake

It’s an amazing visual touch, so we’ll happily keep it even though, as with pretty much all fondants, it’s not great from a flavor perspective.

The flavor variation comes from the cookies and cream filling in the basic yellow cake.

Cruella de Vil Cupcake

Cruella de Vil Cupcake

There’s not a ton of it, to be honest, but it’s still a good, solid cupcake and it looks terrific!

But wait, Villains fans, there’s more! If you stop by the Outer Rim lounge right next to Contempo Café, you’ll see a sign with a selection of specialty Villaintine’s Inspired Cocktails on the table.

Villaintine’s Inspired Cocktails

The bartender has a display of the four drinks.

Outer Rim Villaintine’s Day drinks

These include The Antagonist (inspired by Jafar), The Dark Forest (inspired by Maleficent), The Poison Apple (inspired by the Wicked Queen), and the Coupe de Ville (inspired by Cruella)! Just read the ingredients on the table sign to find what strikes your fancy!

The Antagonist

The Dark Forest

The Poison Apple

Coupe de Ville

No matter whether you’re visiting the Contemporary Resort for Villaintine’s or Valentine’s or any other time, you’ll want to know about all the dining options beforehand. So take a Food Tour with us on our DFB YouTube Video!

Which Villaintine’s Day treat would you most like to try? Please let us know with a comment!

Related posts:

Villains-Themed Specialty Sweets Coming for “Villaintine’s Day” at Disney World’s Contemporary Resort!

Review: “Millennial Pink” Cupcakes at Walt Disney World!

News! Large Mickey Waffles Now Being Served at Contempo Cafe

from the disney food blog http://bit.ly/2E7GL2J via http://bit.ly/LNvO3e

[jmuo-blog]

New Post has been published on https://jmuo.com/essential-kitchen-tools-for-10-or-less/

Essential Kitchen Tools for $10 or Less

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[Photograph: Vicky Wasik]

There are plenty of reasons to love expensive cooking gear—a shiny new high-end blender, stand mixer, or Dutch oven promises a world of fun new kitchen projects and tasty meals—but good cooking certainly doesn’t require pricey tools. In fact, some of our most used, versatile, and treasured items cost about as much as a couple of fancy-ish cups of coffee. Read on for our favorite pieces of equipment priced at $10 or less, all of which will make cooking at home a little simpler, more streamlined, and more delicious.

A Paring Knife

The main takeaway from our review of the best paring knives was that paring knives, though important to have, aren’t so pivotal that you need to shell out for a high-end brand. Instead, we recommend buying one that’s affordable, like this Victorinox model, and keeping it sharp for mincing shallots and peeling onions. And, because it’s cheap, you won’t have to feel bad if that blade dulls over time from checking the tenderness of a roasted beet or the doneness of a batch of brown-butter brownies…or, I don’t know, opening cardboard boxes—for under $10, it’s not so taxing to replace.

A Pie Plate

We’ve known for a while that cheaper is better when it comes to pie plates. While you can spend quite a bit on eye-catching stoneware products, we recommend sticking with simple tempered glass, which heats more quickly than stone. This helps butter melt faster, for a flaky, golden crust instead of a sad, soggy bottom. If you’re taking the time to make the best old-fashioned pie dough on earth, do it like our pastry wizard does; her favorite glass pie plate is this one from Pyrex, priced at around $7.

Offset Spatulas

You’ve probably seen all sizes of offset spatulas—like these four-inch and eight-inch versions—used in videos for frosting cakes, cupcakes, and other small pastries. But they actually have a few more uses as well. If you’ve ever found yourself frustrated when trying to pry a fragile piece of fish or a thin-skinned dumpling out of a skillet using a massive spatula, you’ll love the way the thin, flexible blade of a small offset can slip under even the most petite food items with ease. Because they’re small and thin, offset spatulas give you more control over your food, whether you’re using them to crumb-coat a gorgeous cake or for plating a fancy meal.

A Fluted Pastry Wheel

The other day, I was cutting dough to weave a lattice crust for our blueberry pie, using a pizza cutter. Though I tried really hard to make everything even, it still looked sort of lame. This is where a fluted pastry wheel would have been nice: Super sharp, with a pretty design built in, it’ll create a more delicate shape for those lattices, and make your homemade ravioli look really nice, too.

Better Can Openers

I’ve long had a bad relationship with can openers. Maybe it’s because the ones I’ve purchased have always been poorly made. Maybe it’s because I humiliated myself using one incorrectly in my first kitchen job. That’s why I got so excited when the team finally did a review of the best can openers on the market, and luckily for us, two of the winners actually come in at under $10. The best traditional can opener is well built, grabs easily onto edges, and cuts smoothly through cans of all sizes. Our favorite fixed opener works a little more slowly than the traditional, but it’s dishwasher-safe (always a plus) and includes a bottle opener, too.

Good Whisks

Before I started working at Serious Eats, I really thought there was only one type of whisk, and that its function was simply to, well, whisk. Any variations, I assumed, were just stylistic. I found out how wrong I was when Stella published “How to Choose the Right Whisk.” In fact, there are quite a few types: The balloon whisk is for whisking in bowls and sauciers, and combining dry ingredients; a French whisk is for aerating eggs and cream and emulsifying sauces; a ball whisk is for scraping flat surfaces; and then there are silicone versions for working in nonstick pans. That’s a lot of whisks! Fortunately, several are priced under $10, so stocking up won’t be too much of a problem.

Ninth and Sixth Pans

I was in culinary school the first time I used ninth pans, sixth pans, and other hotel-pan derivatives, and let me tell you: They are useful. I’ve seen very few in home kitchens, but you’d be hard-pressed to find a restaurant kitchen that doesn’t use them for all sorts of organizational purposes. Use them for your mise en place, or cover ’em over with plastic wrap to save leftovers. And when they’re not in use, just stack them for easy storage—the nesting feature is one of the best parts.

A Silicone Turner

There are many different kinds of spatulas out there, but if you own and use a nonstick pan, you’ll extend its lifespan with a silicone spatula, which won’t scrape away the Teflon like its metal counterpart. We recommend a few silicone turners, but the most affordable is this one from OXO. Next time you make eggs or buttermilk pancakes, you’ll be ready and raring to execute the perfect flip.

A Nonstick Muffin Pan and Liners

If you are a muffin man or woman, you’ll want to have the best gear for muffin-making. Start with a nonstick muffin pan that’s made of reflective metal; paired with greaseproof foil liners, it’ll keep the muffins from browning too much along the bottom. Then you’re free to tackle our blueberry muffins or, come holiday time, a batch of stuffin’s.

Vegetable Peelers

We’ve often waxed rhapsodic about why Y-peelers are the best type of peeler for your kitchen. Their carbon steel blades are super sharp, they work well for lefties and righties, and a three-pack costs less than $10. That’s pretty—wait for it—a-peeling to me.

A Bench Scraper

A bench scraper is an essential tool for any cook, which is why it’s pretty cool that you can get one for under $10. Use this one to portion your pasta dough, transfer chopped vegetables into a big pot, or give your cutting board a quick clean after you’ve peeled garlic and shallots.

A Pastry Brush

Because I’m a poor visual artist, paintbrushes have never been of much use to me. But a pastry brush is something I can get behind, especially when I’m slathering pie dough with a glistening egg wash. It’s like painting the Mona Lisa, but so much more delicious. And since this brush has dishwasher-safe silicone bristles, I don’t need to worry about getting any rogue hairs stuck in the dough, or ending up with an oily, stiff-bristled brush that never looks clean.

A Slotted Spoon

A slotted spoon is a great item to keep in a utensil crock next to your stove. A good one will be easy to hold, and sufficiently cupped that water can drain quickly from whatever you’re grabbing, whether it’s poached eggs, pasta, or dumplings. In a pinch, I’ve also used mine as a makeshift spider.

An Oven Thermometer

If you’ve never calibrated your oven, there’s a pretty good chance that the temperature inside it is wrong. An inaccurate oven can undo all of the hard work you put into your baked goods: If it runs too hot, it can burn cookies; if too cold, cakes can end up with a wet crumb. My advice? Invest in this extremely affordable thermometer, and show your oven who’s boss.

A Juice Reamer

We published a whole review of the best citrus reamers, and this reamer from OXO came out in our top three. It’s simple, affordable, small enough to squeeze (ha!) into a drawer, and nice-looking enough to sit right on your bar cart.

A Corkscrew

Speaking of the bar, if you need to replace your old corkscrew or buy a spare, why not get one that’s simple and actually works? This one has a nonstick worm, which slides easily into both natural and synthetic corks and managed to outperform other, more expensive waiter’s-friend corkscrews in our tests. It also costs less than $10, and that handsome wood handle will look nice in your bar setup as well.

A Utility Knife

We strongly believe that a utility knife deserves a spot in your kitchen. Get one and use it to cut open bags of rice, slice perfectly uniform labels, free cucumbers from their shrink-wrap, and even trim pie dough. It’s functional, affordable, and badass—what’s not to love?

Plastic Squeeze Bottles

To make your home kitchen more like a restaurant kitchen, it helps to have some of these plastic squeeze bottles around to keep your most used ingredients as accessible as possible. Fill one or two with your favorite olive oil or wine for cooking; use one as a salad dressing dispenser if you’re feeding a crowd. Make your own condiments? Fill up a bottle, stick it in the fridge, and have it within arm’s reach whenever you want.

A Drying Mat

There will always inevitably be some dishes that you can’t stick in the dishwasher—assuming you even have one. In those situations, a good drying mat is a necessity. This one is made from absorbent microfibers that dry quickly after getting dripped on. It can be folded up and tucked away until you need it, and, if you need it frequently, it’s not so unattractive that you’ll be reluctant to leave it out around the clock.

Bar Keepers Friend

Want to know how to keep stainless steel pots and pans clean? It’s Bar Keepers Friend all the way. This affordable cleaning solution is the key to ridding your pans (and your stovetop, and just about any kitchen surface you can imagine) of grime and dark spots left by polymerized oil.

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[jenguerrero]

I love roadtrips. Last summer, we did two weeks from Manhattan to Bar Harbor, Maine. It was all the incredible food, museums, and hiking a girl could want.

In Manhattan, we decided to take a day exploring of Central Park, starting at the southern end, and working up to the northern end where Harlem begins. I like to call it urban hiking. If you get to the very middle of the northern end (Some maps and signs say Lenox Avenue and some say Malcolm X Blvd – same thing) and keep walking another 16 blocks north (corner of 126th), you hit an amazing restaurant, Red Rooster Harlem. (There’s a subway stop right across from the restaurant if walking’s not your jam or if you’re using a cab, it’s 310 Lenox Ave.) It’s Marcus Samuelsson’s place, and it oozes cool and everything’s delicious. I picked up a baseball cap there, and couldn’t seem to put it away the rest of the trip. What can I say?! It loves hiking!

Summit of Cadillac Mountain. Acadia National Park. Bar Harbor, ME

Stephen King’s house. Bangor, ME.

I fell in love with the book, The Red Rooster Cookbook: The Story of Food and Hustle in Harlem, first. Everything was wonderful, but his cornbread was the best cornbread I’d ever had. There are a lot of cornbread recipes I love, but his really stands out. A huge thanks to Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for letting me share it with you. Don’t skip the sage honey butter in the notes! Who knew that sage belonged in honey butter? Marcus did. And it does. My review of the book is right after the recipe.

    If you love it, please come find me again or hit that follow button! 😀

CORN BREAD is excerpted from THE RED ROOSTER COOKBOOK © 2016 by Marcus Samuelsson. Reproduced by permission of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. All rights reserved.

Corn Bread

Makes 1 (9-x-5-inch) loaf

This is right up there with the Fried Yardbird as a core recipe at the Rooster. We even have someone dedicated to making all our corn bread. Charles Webb, a former Alvin Ailey dancer, is the keeper of our secrets.

I knew from the beginning how I wanted it to taste, but we continue to tinker and change the recipe. This version is very moist, almost custardy. It will keep for 4 days, but a better plan is to freeze individual slices.

1 cup cake flour 1 cup coarse yellow cornmeal ¾ cup sugar 2¼ teaspoons baking powder 1½ teaspoons Aleppo pepper 1½ teaspoon s coarse kosher salt 1¾ cups sour cream 1½ cups buttermilk 2 large eggs 1 large egg yolk 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled ⅔ cup corn kernels (fresh or thawed frozen)

1. Preheat the oven to 325°F. Spray a 9-x-5-inch loaf pan with pan spray. 2. Whisk the flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking powder, Aleppo pepper, and salt together in a bowl. 3. Whisk the sour cream, buttermilk, eggs, yolk, and melted butter together in another bowl until smooth. 4. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and stir until combined. Fold in the corn. 5. Scrape the batter into the loaf pan and smooth out the top. Bake until the bread is browned and pulling away from the sides of the pan and a skewer poked into the center comes out clean, about 60 minutes. 6. Cool on a rack for 20 minutes. Run a knife around the sides of the pan to loosen the sides and turn out the loaf. You can cut it now—the slices will be messy—or cool completely.

There are plenty of things to spread on cornbread – like either the Bird Funk or Chicken Liver Butter (both on page 82) – but I do love the way sage honey butter melts into the bread when it’s warm: Beat 2 Tablespoons honey and 12 ripped fresh sage leaves into 8 Tablespoons (1 stick) softened, unsalted butter. Check it for salt. Cover and refrigerate the honey butter for at least an hour to give the sage a chance to work its flavor into the butter, but take it out of the refrigerator at least 15 minutes before serving.

My review of the book…..

The Red Rooster Cookbook: The Story of Food and Hustle in Harlem by Marcus Samuelsson Edition: Hardcover

I love this book. The recipes we’ve tried were all delicious and interesting! He’s an intense flavorist – not an apologetic bite to be found. There are cool photos throughout. I love making playlists to go along with cookbooks, and Marcus includes his own playlists, chapter by chapter. It’s just frosting on the cake, but I really appreciate good frosting.

He was born in Ethiopia, grew up in Sweden, and then moved to New York, and he brings all of that to the book. If you want more of his story, Yes, Chef: A Memoir is fantastic, and he narrates the audiobook himself.

My thoughts and pics of the dishes we tried: 1) Obama’s Short Ribs – p168, Spicy Sweets and Green Beans with Spiced Butter – p170 & 62, and Cornbread with Honey Sage Butter – p63. Holy wow! Is that ever a terrific dinner! The ribs braise in wine, stock, ginger, lemongrass, etc, and they’re tender as can be. The cornbread is easily the best I’ve ever had, and the sweet potato green bean dish is face meltingly spicy, and yummy, packed with Berbere seasoning and fresh jalapeños. 2) Mac and Greens – p119 with Killer Collards – p123 in Spiced Butter – p62. I can see why customers wouldn’t let him take it off the menu. Two pounds of collard greens simmer in a half pound of the spiced butter. I thought it was excessive til I tasted it. Ridiculously, wonderfully decadent. This is the perfect entree when you have vegetarian friends coming over. Yeah, you’ll get all the hugs. 3-4) Shrimp Bird and Grits – p 204. I was flipping through the book at the library, and noted about 50 recipes I wanted to try, and then saw this one. You fry two chicken thighs, then immediately separate the meat from the skin and toss it on a cooling rack. The meat gets shredded and tossed into grits with pimento cheese. Top that with a poached egg and tomato-y shrimp. Then you blitz the chicken skin with Saltine crackers and parmesan in the food processor to create “bird dust” that gets sprinkled over the whole thing. Chicken dust?! That’s the stuff of fairies, and the sort of fairies that you really want to visit. I hit the buy button on Amazon right in the middle of the library, and I’m so glad I did! This is beautiful.

Do you write in your books? If you do, this is a time sensitive one, so I find it really helpful to scribble out a timeline. 5-6) I think this could win over the biggest brussels-phobe. Brussels Sprouts with Bacon Dip – p295, and Peanut Bacon Pork Chops – p214. The dip is a homemade bacon mayonnaise made with the bacon grease, then the bacon is folded back in. Best dinner so far! Total wow! 7) Tomato-Watermelon Salad with Burrata and Tomato Seed Vinaigrette – p 242. I made this as a light refreshing dinner on a hot summer night. It hit the spot. My grocer doesn’t carry burrata anymore, so I went with the creamiest fresh mozzarella they had instead. Blistered tomatoes, pan seared watermelon, garlic, jalapeño, basil, and burrata dressed in balsamic, tomato seed, and olive oil. Really harmonious flavors. 8) Fried Yardbird – p 85. I LOVE his chicken shake. Gorgeous seasoning. Brined, then marinated overnight in buttermilk, coconut milk and chicken shake (I gave it two nights because life happened and that was fine), and finally coated, fried, and sprinkled with more chicken shake. Just bring the chicken shake to the table, because someone’s going to want more of that stuff! 9) Rooster Donuts with Sweet Potato Cream – p 186. These are a labor of love, but oh so worth it! The donuts are a little puff pastry-ish, and the sweet potato pastry cream has gorgeous texture and is not overly sweet. The recipe makes a whole army of little donut holes across your counter, but they disappear quickly.

Others I have flagged to try: Cauliflower Frites with Green Mayonnaise – p 56 * Wild Wild Wings – p 81 * BB Roo Chicken Sandwich on a Potato Roll – p 90 * Lemon Chicken with Green Harissa and Roast Eggplant Puree – p 94 * Jerk Bacon and Baked Beans – p 112 * Catfish and Pecans – p 115 * Cordero (Lamb) and Grits with Grilled Chile Vinaigrette – p 150 * Puerco en Cerveza (Pork in beer), Plantains on the side – p 154La Marqueta Pork Tack Tack – p 158 * Aunt Grete’s Beef – p 175 * Yep, Chicken and Waffles – p 210 * Fried Green Tomatoes with Buttermilk Dressing – p 217 * Block Party Ribs with Sweet Q Sauce – p 234 * Andouille Bread Pudding – p 260 * The Breakfast – p 266 * Brown Butter Biscuits – p 314 * Pan Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Dried Cherries and Walnuts – p 340 * The Green Viking (green apple sorbet with caramel) – p 361 * Banana and Pecan Pie – p 372

Need that book?! Here’s my Amazon Affiliate link. 

The Red Rooster Cookbook: The Story of Food and Hustle in Harlem

Every time you make a purchase using one of my links, Amazon gives me a tiny percentage. Thank you!

#redroosterharlem

#marcusamuelsson

#hmhco

Cornbread with Sage Honey Butter recipe and Cookbook review: The Red Rooster Cookbook: The Story of Food and Hustle in Harlem by Marcus Samuelsson I love roadtrips. Last summer, we did two weeks from Manhattan to Bar Harbor, Maine. It was all the incredible food, museums, and hiking a girl could want.