Cardamon Pistachio Whoopie Pies
Firstly, let me give credit where credit is due. I was looking to find a new whoopie pie recipe, something Summery, and google searched pistachio whoopie pies. I came across a blog called “Bite Me New England” and decided I would try their recipe.
You can find the original recipe here:http://bitemenewengland.blogspot.com/2010/08/cardamom-and-pistachio-whoopie-pies-new.html. When the recipe calls for baking powder please use baking soda. It confused me a bit at first but I figured it out. The only thing I changed, and mind you it wasn’t a big one, was add some green food coloring to the mixture towards the end. There’s no real reason for this and it doesn’t add anything to the recipe. Everything else pistachio flavored is green so I thought my whoopies should be too :) Here’s a pic of how they came out.
Please ignore the splatter on my kitchen wall. DBF made some delicious lasagna that we haven’t cleaned up yet . Anyway there were some things that I did learn along the way. This recipe asks for crushed pistachos. I opted not to use my mortar and pestle and thought it would be a great idea to use my “spice grinder.” Note: this is actually a small Mr. Coffee that I use just for spices. Going forward, don’t do this. Nuts have natural oil in them that you will not be able to to clean out of an electric grinder properly. Basically I destroyed the thing.
RIP Mr. Coffee
Beyond that I would put the pies in for a full 15 minutes. I only put them in for 10 in my whoopie pie pan, and they didn’t finish all the way through. I put them back in the oven on a cookie sheet for a bit and all was right as rain. Ultimately, this is a great recipe. I think I will bring some of these to a bridal shower I have coming up. The frosting is citrusy and delicious but if you would like it a little lighter I would say use a whipped cream base instead of cream cheese. The pies were absolutely lovely to enjoy on a Sunday morning. Enjoy!
The Five Year Engagement
I went to a very early matinee of the five year engagement yesterday with really high hopes for the film. I wasn’t disappointed per se, as Jason Segal’s writing always has some laugh out loud moments. As much as I love the two lead actors, the strength of this movie was the supporting players. Alison Brie, from “Community” and Chris Pratt, from Parks and Recreation had two of the funniest scenes in the film. I don’t want to ruin anything by saying too much but these two actors can go from playing serious to seriously funny at the drop of a hat. I think the NBC talent pool has hit an all time high.
Ultimately I feel like the movie fell flat towards the middle. Premise-wise the couple moves to Michigan after getting engaged to advance Blunt’s career. While watching, you feel like you’re in Michigan WAY too long which in hindsight is probably how Jason Segal’s character felt. My DBF actually didn’t feel that the movie represented the male perspective well enough as it focused on Segal’s character struggling with career and relationship decisions. While on the other hand, I like that the movie focused on the emotional breakdown of the man in the relationship for once. I think this movie must be seen with your BF, Husband, Gay Husband, best guy friend, etc. You’re going to get a very different perspective. Overall I would give the movie about a 7 based on the strength of all the supporting characters. I’m still torn on whether or not I should buy this movie but I would definitely watch it a second time with my girlfriends. If you’re in need of a good laugh though, I would totally recommend going to see this.
Music, Musings, and Moving
Hello to my four, faithful, followers. As you can probably tell I’m all about alliteration today. I have so much to acquaint you with. Firstly, I’ll be leaving my beloved state of Massachusetts to face the wild unknowns and terrible drivers of Rhode Island. This was originally intended to be a simple career move but as anyone who has read the papers since 2008 knows, finding not only gainful, but fulfilling employment is hard out here for a pimp. I’m still looking in the wonderful world of non-profits but if I go back to baking in a professional capacity so much the better. If neither of these options pan out I am finally looking to further my education, and I have found the perfect graduate program in historic preservation. This is something I have always been interested in, and coupled with all the historic movie theaters out there in need of restoration and preservation I feel it’s the best fit for what I want to do when I grow up.
There is something even more amazing about this move that I haven’t been able to relate yet. I will be renting a house. Not an apartment, not a condo, a whole house. A ranch home built in the 60s, this place obviously needs some de-brady-fication. However, renting this place gives me the opportunity to use this blog in one way which it was intended: crafting and home décor. I will be posting before and after pictures of the rooms as they’re re-done. This won’t happen until June, but be prepared. In the meantime, before I pack up my mixer for this new, exciting adventure, I will be posting some fabulous recipes this weekend. Also I’ll be off to a new movie release so look forward to some thoughts on that as well.
De-Brady-Fication: It’s a thing
Finally I just wanted to give you an update on what I’m listening to lately. I don’t know where everyone else is, but Summer has officially started here in New England. As such, I want some Summery tunes to kick it off. Anyone who knows me personally is already familiar with my Jack White obsession. Essentially I love everything the man has ever done from the White Stripes to the Loretta Lynne album he produced. Finally, after 3+ bands, multiple soundtracks, movie appearances etc, Mr. White has released his first solo album. Although I’ve only heard the first 2 singles, I am extremely happy with the result. I will be listening to the whole album as well as the debut album of Alabama Shakes this weekend. Alabama Shakes is a gem of a band who White will be touring with to promote his latest. Reviews are also to come this weekend. I am happy to say I will busy blogger in the coming days.
~Bridget
Book Review: Rules of Civility
It’s been a long time since I actually waited with bated breath for a book release. I don’t really follow series’, I don’t read authors who come out with a book every six months (looking at you Jodi Picoult/Nicholas Evans) so why did I want to read “Rules of Civility” so badly? The description of this book indicated an amazing character study set during a period of time where the best and worst of people shone through. The author, Amor Towles, did not disappoint.
With a character that can keep perfect time, Towles sets a perfect pace for his debut novel. Katey Kontent starts off the book as a poor 20 something. Born to immigrant parents but having grown up in New York during the great depression (which is still happening during this novel), Katey understands the differences between the classes. In the first chapter, Katey and her friend Eve meet Tinker Grey who, to Katey, is as high society as they come. The great thing about this novel is that with the introduction of Tinker, you think it will be a love story but this couldn’t be further from the truth.
Katey and Eve?
Ultimately, civility focuses on Katey and her discoveries about high society and how it’s not at all what it seems to be from the outside. These discoveries come through Katey’s friendships with the people in her social circle and just outside of it. I know I’m not doing this book justice but this book is incredibly descriptive and beautiful. The dialogue and actions are very true to life which seems to be a rare occurence in even historical fiction nowadays. I look forward to Towles’ future work.
Birthday Presents
Well I’m excited guys! My Birthday is on Wednesday. I’ll be 26, officially getting past the mid 20s stage (scary). I’ve decided that Tuesday I will buy myself a few gifts. First off!
Oh yes I’m going to Buy Tori Spelling’s new book CelebraTori on Tuesday. This woman can throw a party! I’ve never seen a single episode of 90210 but I love her reality show and website. Party planning, crafting, and advice? I really hope she builds her brand up even more.
I’ll also be getting myself a manicure to celebrate. The above if my usual place can do it. I’ll be moving soon so there will be a lot of before and after pictures while we redecorate!
Oscar Fashion 2012
Okay I was going to go into detail of why I like each of the following dresses but I will edit later as it’s getting late. I have my top three listed in order plus my honorable mention. Who were your favorites?
1) Michelle Williams never manages to disappoint on the Red Carpet. There was a lot of debate over whether this dress was Red or Coral. I like the fact that it looked backless and that she added the Diamond bow detail. And honestly, it takes a bold person to pull off this hairstyle. You also have to respect that she never wears the colors everyone else is wearing (Blues or sparkly sheath dresses anyone?). Williams’ style is uniquely her own but with a vintage feel. This dress topped her yellow dress she wore when nominated for Brokeback Mountain. Stunning.
2) It;s impossible for Milla to look bad, let’s be honest. One of the first on the red carpet, this look exuded old Hollywood glamour. Striking red lips, and a silver sparkle worked on this actress perfectly. I loved the matching clutch and her hair was spot on. There is nothing wrong with this look and it stood out from the crowd. It only came in 2nd for me because Michelle Williams’ dress was just so different.
3) Okay so I didn’t hear much about this dress during or after the show, but that could be because this is just a simple and classic look. I’m sure people eill compare this to Grace Kelly but this reminds me more of Vivien Leigh when she won for Gone with the Wind. Stunning color on Ms. Cruz and simple details. Dhe had just had a baby as well and looks amazing. Clearly I like the retro look.
HONORABLE MENTION: No one, and I mean no one rocks a cape anymore. I love the look JUST for the cape but even when Ms. Paltrow took it off, the dress was stunning on its own. Also, look at the cuff she’s wearing. This was a bold look and I loved it. Gwyneth and RDJ also had one of the funniest moments at the Oscars this year so my hat is off to her.
Pinteresting
Okay so I haven’t been blogging lately because I’ve been obsessed with Pinterest. I’m not ashamed to admit it. I will start keeping up with the blog again though I promise. In the meantime, if you’re on Pinterest/would like to follow me there/would like an invite, then click the button below. Happy Pinning! 
Fun Fashion
Okay so these photos are actually a few months old but I’ve been meaning to post them forever. These are images from Kate Spade’s Spring and Fall 2011 lines as modeled by Bryce Dallas Howard. This is how fashion should be, all the clothes are fun, colorful, vintage inspired, and they look easy to wear. Just something fun to kick off my Sunday but this is what I’ll be looking to emulate this year.
Words to Live By
From the Great Dictator by Charlie Chaplin:
http://www.break.com/index/one-of-the-greatest-speeches-ever-made-2218472
“I’m sorry, but I don’t want to be an emperor. That’s not my business. I don’t want to rule or conquer anyone. I should like to help everyone, if possible, Jew, gentile, black man, white. We all want to help one another. Human beings are like that. We want to live by each other’s happiness — not by each other’s misery. We don’t want to hate and despise one another.
In this world there is room for everyone. And the good earth is rich and can provide for everyone. The way of life can be free and beautiful, but we have lost the way. Greed has poisoned men’s souls, has barricaded the world with hate, has goose-stepped us into misery and bloodshed. We have developed speed, but we have shut ourselves in. Machinery that gives abundance has left us in want. Our knowledge has made us cynical. Our cleverness, hard and unkind. We think too much and feel too little. More than machinery we need humanity. More than cleverness we need kindness and gentleness. Without these qualities, life will be violent and all will be lost.
The aeroplane and the radio have brought us closer together. The very nature of these inventions cries out for the goodness in men, cries out for universal brotherhood, for the unity of us all. Even now my voice is reaching millions throughout the world — millions of despairing men, women and little children — victims of a system that makes men torture and imprison innocent people. To those who can hear me, I say — do not despair. The misery that is now upon us is but the passing of greed — the bitterness of men who fear the way of human progress. The hate of men will pass, and dictators die, and the power they took from the people will return to the people and so long as men die, liberty will never perish.
Soldiers! Don’t give yourselves to brutes — men who despise you — enslave you — who regiment your lives — tell you what to do — what to think or what to feel! Who drill you, diet you, treat you like cattle, use you as cannon fodder. Don’t give yourselves to these unnatural men — machine men with machine minds and machine hearts! You are not machines! You are not cattle! You are men! You have the love of humanity in your hearts. You don’t hate! Only the unloved hate — the unloved and the unnatural!
Soldiers! Don’t fight for slavery! Fight for liberty! In the 17th Chapter of St. Luke it is written: “the Kingdom of God is within man” — not one man nor a group of men, but in all men! In you! You, the people have the power — the power to create machines. The power to create happiness! You, the people, have the power to make this life free and beautiful, to make this life a wonderful adventure.
Then, in the name of democracy, let us use that power! Let us all unite! Let us fight for a new world, a decent world that will give men a chance to work, that will give youth the future and old age a security. By the promise of these things, brutes have risen to power, but they lie! They do not fulfill their promise; they never will. Dictators free themselves, but they enslave the people! Now, let us fight to fulfill that promise! Let us fight to free the world, to do away with national barriers, to do away with greed, with hate and intolerance. Let us fight for a world of reason, a world where science and progress will lead to all men’s happiness.
Soldiers! In the name of democracy, let us all unite!”
