Many things...

Sorry I've been sort of MIA. I've been traveling - and I'm tired. This weekend, I hope to do nothing but be at home. After six weekends of straight travel, I need a break. K. and I plan to do little but catch up on the DVR, play with the Wii and nap. Maybe a movie if we're feeling feisty.

• What's with all the red velvet cupcakes? I mean I love red velvet cake as much as the next girl - after all, rv cake is my go to cake choice for pity parties (don't ask), but I've had four separate conversations with very different people about red velvet cupcakes. Is there something I'm missing?
  
• I have nails. Now before you roll your eyes at the obviousness of that statement, let me explain that I bite my nails. A lot. A lot a lot. And I have nails. And they're strong and lovely and feminine. I am amazed at myself. Am I finally calm? Is this what happiness is - the ability to get a manicure without the woman clucking at my bad habits? Fantastic, I tell you.
  
• Stalking every Wal-Mart, Target and Best Buy between here and Charleston was totally worth it. We are the proud owners of Wii Rock Band. And I am kickin' K.'s ass.
  
• Jeopardy! is having online qualifying quizzes on Tuesday, Jan 27th. Fingers crossed and prayers said, K. will actually go through with it. I think I need to tempt him with this payoff.
  
• Love, love, love Mrs. O and everything she wore. I am so excited to have a First Lady that I can not only respect (I did respect Mrs. Bush), but aspire to.
  
• I have many thoughts about the inauguration. I'm working on figuring out how to express them.
  

That's it for now. Y'all have a good weekend. Ahhh, I will!

She must get me.

I don't know this blogger - I only subscribe to her lovely blog, Bakerella. You probably should as well.

Even though we've never met, I can't help but think she'd get me.

Make me a pie.

There's something about pie and the men in my family. PIE! Pie. PIE! They get on a roll: apple! cherry! strawberry! blueberry! peach! Dear lord, it's as if the only way these men eat fruit is when encased in a crust.

For once, I'm not making something chocolate for a family celebration. Nope, we're talking three serious pies. Pumpkin (using Smitten's recipe), Cherry and Dutch Apple. I didn't quite realize it, but the Dutch Apple pie has been passed down from my great-great-grandmother.

I'm excited. I'm not a huge fan of pie -- I hate apple pie for instance (the Dutch Apple notwithstanding). But something about the pumpkin sounds good. I'm really ready for Thanksgiving. I have so many things to be thankful for this year.

I'll let you know how it goes. I'm charging the camera for the making of the apple pie. I'm going to take pictures. Really.

Pancakes

I don't usually like pancakes. Like, ever. I can remember the exact day that my normal American love of pancakes died... My dad was joking around and uttered, "A moment on the lips, a lifetime on the hips." Ugh! Could he not have said that about - I dunno - french fries? Onion rings? Hot dogs? Nope. Pancakes were ruined forever.

And quite honestly, I'm sort of okay with that. It's not as if I've missed doughy breakfast. Until this Sunday. People, I made some pancakes. And ohmygaw, they were so good I am now a believer.

I used Smitten Kitchen's recipe as a base. But, I didn't have any buttermilk. Instead of using the whole vinegar in milk thing, I added a little sour cream and some fresh ground nutmeg. And I used some leftover cake flour. We're talking light and fluffy. Then, I sliced one apple thinly. Tossed the slices with some cinnamon, nutmeg and brown sugar. I cooked them after making the pancakes and then served the apple stuff on top of the stack. I just now recovered. Wished I'd taken pictures. When will I learn?