Thanksgiving Madness. It’s totally a thing. When I was younger, I used to take Thanksgiving VERY seriously. I’d cook the entire Thanksgiving meal including dessert, and since I had way too much on my plate, something would inevitably fail or not turn out and I’d get super bummed.
But now I’m just like, so what, who cares. There’s a chance that the turkey might be on the dry side, you might burn something, heck, I dunno, you might even drop a whole dish on the floor (I’ve done this). I recommend to treat those moments with laughs and shrugs…and then proceed to pour a ton of gravy over the turkey–that’s what it’s there for anyway. Thanksgiving cooking is supposed to involve lots of wine, laughs and way too many cooks in the kitchen. All that makes it Thanksgiving.
If you’d like some ideas for sides and stuffing and dessert, I got some.
Stuffing Muffins – People will think you’re the most adorable person in the world if you make stuffing muffins. I mean, look at them! Cuteness central.
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If you’re looking to make new friends, salted caramel is a good place to start. Combine salted caramel with apples and put them in a pie? An even better start.
This Thanksgiving is going to be the first T-Day I’ve ever spent away from home. EVER! And I know I’m like a full-grown adult and should have been having “Friendgiving” like for years now, but I dunno…I like my family. Even though I live across the country from them, I’ve always figured out a way to get home. I’d either cry poor and they’d feel bad and buy me a ticket or I’d save my pennies and get myself home or even cash in on some airline miles I didn’t even know had. It was all in the name of making 10 Thanksgiving dishes with too little time and too little kitchen equipment. But every time the effort to go home was worth it.
This year I’m going to San Francisco with my dude (!!) to spend it with his family. I’m nervous. I don’t know them; they don’t know me. But naturally, I want them to like me. For this possibly awkward, sweat-inducing situation I’ll need a pie.
I’m thinkin’ this salted caramel deliciousness will do the trick.
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Has anyone ever told you that you resemble a particular kind of animal?
When I was in 2nd grade the “mean kid in class” stood up in front of everyone and said I looked like a turtle. I remember my brain immediately thinking of cute animated sea-turtles that swim underwater and have adorable little feet. I didn’t take it as an insult…at first. But then all the other kids started laughing and I quickly realized what was going on. Always remember that when a boy tells you that you look like an animal, it means he hate/likes you.
Then when I was in 6th grade a boy told me I looked like a squirrel. Again, I think squirrels are pretty cute (minus the rabbies part) and took it as a compliment, sorta. Until…I realized that I shouldn’t. For the remaining school year he called me squirrel instead of Adrianna. I didn’t mind it nearly as much as I should’ve.
Have you ever been told you look like a horse? A rabbit? A sloth? If you have, don’t take it as an insult, just think of the cutest most animated horse out there. They’re most likely super pretty. Random lessons from me on this Monday!
Ok enough, let’s talk pie/pretty braids/bourbon!
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Soup weather is the best weather. Fareal.
Last week we had a very brutal and random heatwave where it decided to be 90˙F(!!!). I had a literal and figurative meltdown that day. It was bad. But now the cold weather is here and I’m back to being stoked on life.
It makes me super grateful that we live in a world where hot weather takes a break–and allows us to stop sweating–and cold air enters. And I’m glad sweaters exists, and dogs with wrinkly faces exist, and, AND soup exists! Rad.
I love punk’n. Are you all punk’n-ed out? Hope not. It’s only October, guys. We’ve got a solid more month of this stuff.
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There’s that very popular saying, “Don’t go to the grocery store hungry.” I personally LOVE going to the grocery store hungry. I act like a hunter in the wild. I’m focused, assertive and efficient. I want my food, I want it now, and then I wanna go home so I can cook it and eat it. Super simple. Life is easy. Now let’s watch some more Felicity.
But if I venture into the grocery store when I’m not hungry and have no where to be, OMG am I a mess. I mosey. Yes, I mosey. I inspect new-to-me products, check out the ingredients, read the stories of how they got their start, and many times get all emotionally involved, like, Aww they got their start making granola out of their barn in the back and look at them now! Cute!
I take food pics of fun produce I find. And sometimes I compare my nail polish color to seasonal produce and Instagram about it. This stuff just happens.
A few nights ago I went to the grocery store with no focus. At the end of hour one, I was there with an empty basket just staring blankly at the spice section. I spotted “apple pie spice” and “pumpkin pie spice.” And they were selling them for $6?! Yes, $6.
I don’t typically use pumpkin pie spice, though I do know a lot of recipes call for it. And if you’re making a pumpkin pie, throw it in the puree, it’s bound to be delicious!
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{Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Pancakes}
I live in this really magical place called Los Angeles, California.
It’s a place where you have to pay, like, $2 for parking to go to the mall. Even if you don’t buy anything.
It’s a place where people sitting next to you at coffee shops are writing movies on their laptops. And then those movies get made, you see them in the theater, and it’s weird and wild.
It’s a place where palm tress aren’t native to the state, yet they fit in perfectly.
And it’s a place where you see Janice Dickason at the movie theater, dressed like she’s going to the Met Ball, with a man who’s six inches shorter and looks like he might own the state of California. Very normal.
Los Angeles is a place of make believe. So, when it’s the first day of fall and 90 degrees outside, it forces you to pretend it’s brisk out, or else you’ll get mad. Because all anybody wants to do on the first day of fall–myself included–is break out their new boots, scarves, hold hands with the boy they like and jump in a big pile of autumn leaves. Am I right, or am I right? I’m right.
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Hi. I’m baaaaack.
I actually never left, but sometimes the one day breaks between posts make me miss you a lot. I can say this because we’ve moved past the whole newness in our relationship. I don’t care if I love you more at this point. It just is what is…you know?!
Wait, do you think it’s weird I’m talking about our relationship in public like this? Whatever. DEAL!
I feel like you know me pretty well at this point. You understand who I am as a person. You know I have an affinity for glitter nail polish. You know I cry sometimes and make pancakes. You know I think fantasy football is stupid. You ALSO know that I loooove to try and make stuff cute.
I made churros (that sometimes can look like…I don’t have to say it. You know)…into Churro Tots! And complicated pretzels into Pretzel Tots. And sloppy, meat sandwiches into Sloppy Joe Sliders! I’m starting to think my life calling is to take normal dishes that are totally minding their own business and give them a “cute” makeover.
Almost like that scene in Clueless when D and Cher take Ty from rough and stoner-like to cute and dumb. Just like that…but with sandwiches and fried things…and now, stuffing.
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“Positive, positive, positive!!”
That’s my favorite line from Knocked Up.
Leslie Mann says it to Katherine-whatever-her-name-is when she’s all bummed out and can’t bring herself to get out of bed.
I say it to Teri when she’s being a brat.
I also say it to myself, outloud…every Monday morning when I look at my gigantic to-do list. I have to un-bratify myself, you know?
Monday mornings require pep-talks. It’s just a fact. Pep-talks. Coffee…and pop-tarts don’t hurt either.
Pop Tarts was a genius invention. They knew what they were doing. They knew they were basically just making pie for breakfast. It’s cool. We’re all cool with it, pop tart inventor. We thank you.
I didn’t grow up on pop tarts, unfortunately. I wasn’t that lucky. My parents saw through their marketing schemes; they knew the deal.
But now that I’m a grown-up and pay taxes and parking tickets and deal with all sorts of fun stuff…I’ve made the decision that I’m gonna have pie for breakfast…and call it a pop tart.
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Halloween is stressful, isn’t it? Too much costume pressure. Will it be clever? Will it be cute? Will I be cute? Will I be able to use the restroom while dressed as a gigantic stick of butter? Will people think it’s funny? Will I be cold? UGGGGGH!
This year I got lucky; about a week ago I got a haircut and my hair stylist might’ve cut my bangs a liiiiitttle too short. I got home, looked in the mirror and realized that this year’s costume actually chose me. Lucky. Me.
So yeah…Dora the Explorer is totally happening. Backpack and Map will be there, too. Don’t be jellz!!
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BIRTHDAY ALERT!!!
This post is totally not supposed to be about me eating forty apple chips in one sitting. That wasn’t my intention when I went to the store on Friday.
I was there to buy seven-layer-gradient-glitter-birthday-cake ingredients. (I was dreaming up a cake that matched my nails.) Instead I left with a big brown bag of apples.
I think it was a subconcious move to avoid my birthday. Typically, I’m totally not a good birthday person. I don’t like to throw myself parties, or bake myself cakes, or even let most people know it’s my big day.
The whole thing usually just gives me an anxiety attack and makes my face red and arms sweat. But this year I decided to shake the bad birthday attitude, man-up and celebrate. So here I am…
Just making myself some Apple Chips.
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