Brendan Hansen Online: Here we go: Cards and Cookies

Tuesday, December 21, 2004

Here we go: Cards and Cookies

This is my first post so I hope you'd all be kind to me.
First, some greetings from Buenos Aires

You'll excuse the poor art in the card, Photoshop is not listed among my skills. But this is how my city looks like.

Second: by popular demand and because you've been voting and voting, Mrs. H cookie recipe

RICOTTA COOKIES

1/2 lb butter or margarine 2 teaspoons vanilla
1 lb. Ricotta cheese 4 cups Flour
2 cups sugar 1 teaspoon salt
3 eggs 1 teasoon baking soda

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. Cream shortening
3. Add eggs, sugar, cheese, and vanilla.
4. Mix well, then add dry ingredients.
5. Drop by spoonful onto ungreased cooking sheet.
6. Bake 12 to 15 minutes; cookies will be light in color.
7. When completely cool, frost tops of cookies with icing recipe.

ICING RECIPE
3 cups of powdered sugar (sifted)
1/4 cup of warm water (may need more)
1 Tablespoon corn syrup (use light color)
1/4 teaspoon of flavoring (I use almond)

Add syrup to warm water and stir until dissolved. Add remaining ingredients.

When you're icing the cookies you can decorate them right away with colored sugars or anything festive. They will stick if you put them on right before the icing drys.

Finally, I declare the beginning of the BHO Cookie Trade. Feel free to post all your cookis recipes to share them with the rest.

PS: Michelle is still Teh Boss

142 Comments:

I know, I know... the image is not showing. You'll have to wait until Michelle gets here. Cause I'm computer challenged when it comes to code things.
In the meantime, let's exchange cookie's recipes!

By Lena, at 12/21/2004 7:56 AM
Ok, I made these a couple of years ago and they are so yummy. Now everyone asks for them. I wish I could take credit for them, but it's a Betty Crocker recipe. (That Betty Crocker is awesome, although I am sure Mrs. H is 10 times better!) Anyway..

Snowflake Cookies:

1 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup butter or margarine, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 eggs
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
Almond Glaze (See Below)
White coarse sugar crystals (decorating sugar), powdered sugar or white edible glitter
Easy Decorating Frosting, if desired (See Below)

1. Mix granulated sugar, butter, vanilla and eggs in large bowl. Stir in flour, baking powder and salt. Cover and refrigerate at least 1 hour but no longer than 24 hours.

2. Heat oven to 400ºF . Roll about one-third of the dough 1/8 inch thick on lightly floured surface. Cut with 1 1/2-2-inch star-shaped cookie cutter. Place 1 inch apart on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake about 6 minutes or until light brown. Remove from cookie sheet to wire rack; cool completely, about 30 minutes. Repeat with remaining dough.

3. Make Almond Glaze. Place cooled cookies together in pairs with about 1 teaspoon glaze, with points of top cookie between points of bottom cookie. Place cookies on wire rack on cookie sheet to catch excess glaze. Pour 1 tablespoon glaze evenly over top and sides of each cookie, glazing only a few at time. When glaze is set but still soft, move cookies to another rack or waxed paper; sprikle with sugar crystals. (Occasionally remove glaze from cookie sheet, and add a few drops of hot water as necessary to make glaze smooth and thin enough to pour; continue glazing.)

4. Make Easy Decorating Frosting. Pipe snowflake designs on cookies. Let cookies dry completely before storing.

Almond Glaze

3 cups powdered sugar
4 teaspoons light corn syrup
1/4 cup hot water
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
1/8 teaspoon salt

1. Mix all ingredients until smooth, glossy and pourable.

Easy Decorating Frosting

1 cup powdered sugar
3 to 5 teaspoons water

1. Mix ingredients to make a frosting that can be easily drizzled or used in a decorating bag, yet holds its shape.

By Stephie Mc, at 12/21/2004 8:41 AM
I also had to post this, it's not cookies but a treat. One of my co-workers turned us on to it about 3 years ago and everyone who has it gets addicted (and its easy!)

Muddy Buddies

1 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1/2 cup Skippy® peanut butter
1 package (6 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips (1 cup)
1/4 cup margarine or butter*
9 cups Chex® cereal (any variety)

Measure cereal into large bowl; set aside. Microwave chocolate chips, peanut butter and margarine in 1-quart microwavable bowl, uncovered on High 1 minute; stir. Microwave 30 seconds longer or until mixture can be stirred smooth. Stir in vanilla. Pour chocolate mixture over cereal in bowl, stirring until evenly coated. Pour into large plastic food-storage bag; add powdered sugar. Seal bag; shake until well coated. Spread on waxed paper to cool. Store in airtight container in refrigerator. 9 cups snack.

*Do not use spread or tub products.

Important: Because microwaves cook differently, time is approximate.

Range Top Directions: Measure cereal into large bowl; set aside. Heat chocolate chips, peanut butter and margarine in 1-quart saucepan over low heat, stirring frequently, until melted. Remove from heat; stir in vanilla. Continue as directed above.

By Stephie Mc, at 12/21/2004 8:45 AM
Lena wuzrobbed! By ME! I gave her the wrong path to the postcard, but I've fixed it now. :D

I'll be back later with a recipe. And let's not keep it to just cookies cause I'm watching my carbs and cookies are like cryptonite to me.

By Michelle, at 12/21/2004 9:44 AM
Michelle, impressive dedication resisiting the kryptonite carbohydrates. :) I was on the treadmill last night, watching an interview of Terrell Owens on TV from before this ankle disaster, and he said that he hadn't tried a cheesesteak since he moved to Philadelphia because it "wasn't on his diet." IF TO can be that disciplined, so can I, I figured, and I turned the incline and speed up. I almost fell off. I needed a cookie to recover afterwards. You are a stronger woman than me.

Have a great day all
Dana C

By Dana Cara, at 12/21/2004 9:52 AM
Diet? What is that?
I've been luckily blessed with a good metabolism. Hence, I really don't do diets. I do try to eat heatlhy and balanced but that's about it.
I promise to deliver some great cookis recipes after I translate them from Spanish, Italian and Dutch to English.
Right now I gotta go to the doctor.

Pupmkin, where are you? Have you freezed in the shopping trip? You want some hot chocolate?

Sean, do you want some Steph and hot chocolate?

(Sorry Tigger, I could not resist)

By Lena, at 12/21/2004 9:56 AM
Michelle, I have a pretty good low carb cheesecake recipe from my "good days." If that's something you might be interested in, let me know, and I'll try to find it and post it.

By AimsRos, at 12/21/2004 10:06 AM
Thanks Lena, I'm 100 shades of red now! *blush* You are lucky I love you! =)

I feel eevil. I posted those yummy recipes, but I myself won't eat them. I am even being good today at work. They have cookies and pumpkin bread and I haven't even looked at them! Go me! =)

By Stephie Mc, at 12/21/2004 10:08 AM
Does anyone have a killer recipe for peanut butter fudge where it stays really soft? I haven't had any luck so far. Pretty pretty please!!! :p

By blairbecky, at 12/21/2004 10:09 AM
I've got a kick ass recipe for some alcoholic's delight Fruitcake if y'all are interested.

By Dana, at 12/21/2004 10:20 AM
Dana Cara - LOL! I only managed about 30 minutes on the treadmill last night. I was trying to turn the fan on and somehow hit the program button instead which made it stop. I took it as a sign it was time to check my email. :D I need my Brendan Hansen enamel charm already to inspire me on to greatness.

AimsRos - If I'm going to make a cheesecake it's going to be the real deal, but thanks for the offer. My son actually makes a kickass Pumpkin Maple Cheesecake that I can post the recipe too if anyone wants it.

By Michelle, at 12/21/2004 10:20 AM
Hey everyone! I just spent the morning dipping cheesecake bites in chocolate. I'm now almost done with all my holiday baking. I'd share recipes, but my family is so not the baking type - all the good ones I have come from Betty Crocker. :)

As a reward for all my hard work, I'm now going to have pizza. Diets are for January!

By Angie, at 12/21/2004 10:38 AM
Michelle -- I understand. There is certainly no comparison between a Real Cheesecake and a low anything cheesecake. The Real one always wins! It's really just unfair to anything else. Hee!

By AimsRos, at 12/21/2004 10:52 AM
This is a traditional Caribbean recipe for friutcake. we don't call it fruitcake here, we say Black Cake and it's a little different in that there is a lot of alcohol. Don't eat and drive.

BLACK FRUIT CAKE

Ingredients:

1 lb prunes
1 lb raisins
1 lb currants
¼ lb mixed peel
½ lb cherries
lb chopped almonds
1 bottle cherry brandy
¼ bottle rum
1-2 tbsp Angostura bitters
2 tbsp brandy (optional)

Chop the above ingredients, mix well and soak at least overnight in cherry brandy.

Burnt sugar: (Browning)

Burn 1 lb brown sugar, add ½ cup hot water gradually. Mix well and leave it to cool.

Ingredients:

1 lb butter
1 lb sugar
8 large eggs
1 tsp lemon essence
2 tsp each of lime rind, almond essence, vanilla essence and mixed spice.
1 lb flour
4 tsp baking powder
½ tsp ground nutmeg

Method:

Cream butter and sugar.
Add the eight eggs one at a time.
Add lemon essence, lime rind, almond essence and vanilla
Mix and sift dry ingredients.
Add gradually to creamed mixture.
Mix in fruit and browning.
Put in greased tins doubly lined with brown paper.
Bake at 250°F for 2-3 hours or until done.

Remove from oven and soak, while hot, with cherry brandy or rum with sherry. Leave overnight and allow the cake to absorb the alcohol. You can then put more if you so desire.

By Dana, at 12/21/2004 10:57 AM
I'm getting so hungry reading this thread.

By Michelle, at 12/21/2004 11:16 AM
i agree with you michelle...reading all these recipies is making me hungry...even though i ate like 30 mintues ago. lena, buenos aires looks soo beautiful in your pictures! they make me wanna visit it more! erin.

By erin, at 12/21/2004 11:29 AM
This post has been removed by a blog administrator.

By erin, at 12/21/2004 11:29 AM
Erin, I'm deleting your doble post... hope you don't mind.
The main pic is Plaza del Congreso. Below on the left is the OSN Building, in Belgium Rococo Style. Above on the right is part of the Recoleta,19th century building. The color houses are my beloved La Boca, home of tango and of course, craddle of the best futbol in the world, Boca Juniors.

By Lena, at 12/21/2004 11:45 AM
BOCA!!!! still trying to find out who #17 is, or was....he was on their main site, with perhaps the BEST abs I have seen on a human being(next to your pupmkin's of course.)

By swimphilly78, at 12/21/2004 11:48 AM
This post has been removed by a blog administrator.

By Stephie Mc, at 12/21/2004 11:56 AM
Yes. It's not possible to have better abs than "Pumpkin".

By Michelle, at 12/21/2004 11:57 AM
Oh, fabulous you guys. My resolution was to stop eating junk food and then you had to go and post a whole bunch of cookie recipies. EVIL. ALL OF YOU.

I suppose I'll just go with Angie and agree that diets begin in January.

(EVIL!)

By a, at 12/21/2004 12:00 PM
I can't find my favorite pumpkin bread recipe right now but I feel the need to tell everyone to go to World Market NOW and buy a tin of the ginger snap cookies (even if you don't like ginger snap)- you won't regret it

By Anna, at 12/21/2004 12:07 PM
Dana, I hope this isn't the same recipe as yours but we have a long family tradition that I have been perfecting for many many years.

Here is my recipe for Alcoholic's Delight Fruitcake:

One bottle of tequilla
1 shaker of salt
10 limes (fruit)

Keep tequilla at room temperature. Pour into shot glasses.
Section limes into 4 sections cutting legnthwize. Set aside.

Prepare your work space by licking it.
Salt the dampened area until it is "salty looking" or "to taste"
Experience will tell you how much to use.

I give you two serving options.

Method one:
Lick the back of your hand in the fleshy area between your thumb abd index finger. Salt the dampened area to taste.

Method two:
Lick the chest of a hottie Swimmer. (not the entire chest, just a 2" X 2" square.) Please make sure the hottie swimmer is thoroughly dry before licking.. chlorine ruins the flavor of the tequilla.
Salt the dampened area to taste.

The serving steps must be done immediately and in rapid succession. So please be prepared.

Remove the salt from serving area with your tongue, before the salt disolves add the tequilla to the salt by pouring it in your mouth. Swallow the tequilla/salt mixture. Add fruit. You must gently bite and suck the fleshy part of the lime until you are satisfied with the blend.

Serves from 1 to 20 people.

Enjoy!

I have yet to try serving method two but I imagine that it would be delish!

By lala, at 12/21/2004 12:11 PM
HAHAHA! lala you're too funny! Serious question though, in serving method 2, can you substitute a hottie swimmer for their hottie brother? (Did I say that out loud??) Just curious... =)

By Stephie Mc, at 12/21/2004 12:15 PM
Sure Stephie sweetie! Substitute teh hottie swimmer for his brother if that is available to you. The important thing is that the serving area must be human and it must be thoroughly prepared with the tongue.

By lala, at 12/21/2004 12:19 PM
Good to know, lala..good to know!

Ok, back to Denialville. haha =)

By Stephie Mc, at 12/21/2004 12:21 PM
Swimphilly,I saw the abs and was completely impressed. I don't know about the rest of him though. Couldn't really see that. Not as good as Bren but pretty nice...lol. Lena,do you know who number 17 is?

Everything about the alcholic's fruitcake sounds good with the exception of the salt and tequila. ;p (Tequila=Bad Experience) Just the thought of it makes me all weak and shaky. Now the licking part I could handle...goodness,if y'all could just see me blush.

By blairbecky, at 12/21/2004 12:35 PM
lala, I concede. Your recipe is faaaar better than mine.

By Dana, at 12/21/2004 12:40 PM
That is so odd Blairbecky... only the serving method in option two made me all weak and shaky. Funny how different people have different reactions to different food groups. I am so glad I previewed this post. It seems I originally typed "different food gropes"!

By lala, at 12/21/2004 1:04 PM
I'm heading to that site now to see what are you talking about. Where is it in the site exactly?
Michelle, I agree, no abs better than Pumpki's. But there'd be no bash of my Boca Juniors.

lala, that was a great recipe and got me thinking of the tapes of Indy. i noticed something today... the upper part of Brendan's back is just out of this world.

And this is time once again for asking a pic of the tattoo. Pumpkin, this time I'm not asking fot the hip tattoo, but the balde shoulder tattoo. We don't have a clear shot of the Rings, and I'd love one.
Pretty Please? As a Xmas treat?

I'll shut up now

By Lena, at 12/21/2004 1:09 PM
Team Leader in here.

Private Swimphilly, I have indentified your target.
Mauro Boselli, I repeat, Mauro Boselli.

More information on target in here
http://www.bocajuniors.com.ar/english/notacompleta.cfm?id=4159

Secret sources (aka Dad) reveal that while not talented as Batistuta, Mauro might be a good number 9 (forward) within time.

Team Leader out

And seriously, Mauro had great abs.

By Lena, at 12/21/2004 1:17 PM
Ok, back to recipes (sorry).

Maple Pumpkin Cheesecake (My son made this last year and it's very good!)

INGREDIENTS:

1 1/4 cups graham cracker crumbs
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup butter or margarine, melted
3 8 ounce packages cream cheese, softened
1 14 ounce can Sweetened Condensed Milk
1 15 ounce can pumpkin
3 eggs
1/4 cup maple syrup
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon salt

Maple Pecan Glaze:
1 cup whipping cream
3/4 cup pure maple syrup
1/2 cup chopped pecans

whipped cream (optional)
pecan halves (optional)

DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
2. Combine graham cracker crumbs, sugar and butter; press firmly on bottom of 9-inch springform pan.
3. With mixer, beat cream cheese until fluffy. Gradually beat in condensed milk until smooth. Add pumpkin, eggs, syrup, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt; mix well. Pour into prepared pan.
4. Bake 1 1/4 hours or until center appears nearly set when shaken. Cool 1 hour. Cover and chill at least 4 hours.
5. To serve, spoon some Maple Pecan Sauce over cheesecake. Garnish with whipped cream and pecans (optional). Pass remaining sauce. Store leftovers covered in refrigerator.
6. Maple Pecan Glaze: In medium-sized saucepan, combine 1 cup (1/2 pint) whipping cream and 3/4 cup pure maple syrup; bring to a boil. Boil rapidly 15 to 20 minutes or until slightly thickened; stir occasionally. Stir in 1/2 cup chopped pecans. Cover and chill until served. Stir before serving.

By Michelle, at 12/21/2004 1:38 PM
Girls girls girls ... a possible modification to the serving instructions, from of my college experience (amen) -

(moms, aunts, and under 18s, skip this post. I promise I am a good girl usually, St. Catherine's on Sunday, but this just can't go without saying.)

skip the shotglasses, have you seen what a proper set of abdominals can do for salting and pouring? It's like the Mississippi River and its tributaries. I remember one guy, a butterflier on my college team, could pour four shots at once off his abs. It's far, far better than the ice luge. Come to think of it, that was the year the boys team surged at NCAAs. I doubt all these events were unrelated.

We never tried backs, but the spinal column seems to offer potential for this, doesn't it?

And my mother took solace in the fact that she thought mine was a tame college. ;)

By Dana Cara, at 12/21/2004 1:42 PM
thanks Dana for that lovely info.
I'm not sure I can cook a Pumpkin... no I cannot.
and I'm sorry about the whole Boca Juniors thing. I pretty much blindsided when it comes to my futbol team.

Swimphilly, do they have dulce de leche in PA? Can they get it?
Cause I might give you the recipe of "alfajorcitos de maicena" but makes no sense if you guys cannot get dulce de leche.. unless I teach you how to make it.

Let me know...

Pumpkin? Are you alive? Have you survived the shopping trip? I know... you're taking pics of the tattoo for us. How lovely of you...

By Lena, at 12/21/2004 1:48 PM
MAJOR NEWS

I just read an article posted over at OG saying that WCs are cancelled. WHAT?!?

By Dana, at 12/21/2004 1:50 PM
dulce de leche - is that caramel?

WC cancelled? whoa if that's true.

By Dana Cara, at 12/21/2004 1:56 PM
Is nothing final yet, they still have until January 17th to come up with the money.
What is scary is LB saying they're not gonna host it if Montreal cannot.
But I'm sure that one way or the other they're gonna do it.
They've never skipped one... they're not gonna start now.
Have faith, Dana, have faith. It all works out in the end

By Lena, at 12/21/2004 1:58 PM
And yes, dulce de leche is caramel. Although we never call it like that...

By Lena, at 12/21/2004 1:59 PM
oh captain, my captain. this is why you are the leader. excellent recon work to all. Mauro. good name. (michelle I may need to talk to you about how I start my own "Boca-#17" website) okay no more talking about other men - this site is for your pumpkin. sorry bren.

as for dulce de leche, we have the ice cream flavor, I have yet to see any containers of it though. but send the recipe along anyway! isnt it just like burnt milk? its kind of blessing in disguise we dont have it here, I would weigh a metric ton.

By swimphilly78, at 12/21/2004 2:24 PM
Dulce de leche ice cream is the best thing in the world.
As ofr making it, you have the hard way and the easy way.
The easy was is really easy: get a can of condensed milk. Then filled a pan with water and put the can on it. The water must cover the entire can. Then let it boil slowly for at least 3 hours and voila! Dulce de leche.

By Lena, at 12/21/2004 5:11 PM
Pumpkin is out shopping, AGAIN, this time with his Dad. Lala's post reminded me of a story I have to tell you all. It was the last night of NCAA's and we were all celebrating the fact that it was Ian and Brendan's last meet. The swimmers were all gathered around the bar and the ladies were in the back of the bar having our quiet "GOOD TIMES". One of the swimmer's sister's I was hanging with during the meet buys me and Gail Crocker two shots of Tequilla. She shows us how to lick the salt, use the lime and then down the shot. Well, I was still licking when Gail downs the shot. I am like, Jesus, Gail, wait for me! Laughing like I have been drinking all night. The next thing I see when I look up is the whole UT swim team in the back of the bar surrounding us, watching. Ian never laughs. He was out of control when he walk into the scene with yours truly downing shots with his Mom. All I have to say is, "GOOD TIMES"! Mrs. H

By Anonymous, at 12/21/2004 6:36 PM
ROFL Mrs. H, although the line about Ian never laughing is a little sad. That's a great story and i wish I could have been there.

By Michelle, at 12/21/2004 6:57 PM
Additionally, I am also going out shopping, AGAIN! I hope this is the last of it though.

By Michelle, at 12/21/2004 6:58 PM
Oh Mrs. H! That is a great Story!! I just want you to imagine the second serving method of the Alcholic's Delight Fruitcake using say.. Matt Biondi as the salt server. What do you think? To quote Aaron after Rowdy was pimping his daughter off on him in Indy, you can just reply with "Alll riiiight!" Aunt C, Aunt K, and the B-Mom... We will do shots and play M/S/C... yumm Matt Biondi definately Shag... and Marry!

By lala, at 12/21/2004 7:21 PM
Haha! That's another classic story Mrs. H. Maybe they'll be a sequel in store for WC. After all these worries about location I think many people will end up needing a shot or two!

I feel for those of you still shopping. I'm done shopping. I'm done wrapping. i am just waiting for santa to bring me my iPod and a post from Cutie McHottie..not too much to ask in either case! I've been good, really! ;)

By Stephie Mc, at 12/21/2004 7:23 PM
Wow, Mrs H!!! Way to go!
Are we sharing tequilla stories now? Cause I'm pleading the fifth on that one...

You don't want to know

By Lena, at 12/21/2004 7:28 PM
Lena, I'll tell my tequilla story if you tell yours! heehee!

By Stephie Mc, at 12/21/2004 7:29 PM
Alright, it involves a rugbier's bar (Go Pumas!), me doing a tequila shot that really got me bad, getting slightly tipsy, crying all over my ex's brother blaming him for our break up. Poor saint just stood there, listening and demanding water to the waitress for me to get sober.
This was years ago, I was 19 (note: we're legally allowed to drink at 18 in Argentina, I was not pulling a Phelps). The ex got married last Saturday, the brother married one of my best friends 3 years ago (I was the maid of honor). All water over the bridge now...

But they keep teasing me about it.

By Lena, at 12/21/2004 7:35 PM
Awwww, Lena! That's not funny. We only tell funny stories here! *HUG* Ok, my story will cheer you up.

When I was a senior in college, my roommates and I decided to have a party. We dubbed it the "Margarita/Macarena" party. (The Macarena was popular then..yes, that means I am old!) Anyway, let's just say things got fun when I had about 25 people in my room doing the macarena while one of them was eating bread off of my futon! HAHA!! Oh, my crazy college days!

By Stephie Mc, at 12/21/2004 7:49 PM
haha oh Mrs. H that story is great. You and Mrs. Crockah takin tequilla shots. *laughs at mental image*

..and the fact that ian never laughs is kinda sad...i <3 the crockah

By Sarah, at 12/21/2004 7:50 PM
*Hugs Ian* I don't know what I would do if I walked up to see my Mom taking shots of Tequila. I would probally die of shock. I think it's cool that you were pretty much partying with your son. Girls,when we all eventually get to hang out we should have a night out. Now,I will leave the tequila drinking to y'all. I'm more of a cranberry and vodka kind of girl. :)

By blairbecky, at 12/21/2004 8:08 PM
Steph awww *hugs back*
I'm not sad anymore. This was years ago. And it was quite a show... I can laugh about it now.

By Lena, at 12/21/2004 8:17 PM
I would have loved to have been a fly on the wall during that scene Mrs. H!

Oh the drinking (especially tequila memories). Where would I even start? *Reminisces about college years* I've had some good and bad experiences with the tequila. Perhaps if I intermix the shots with something girly I would be all right.

I'm all about a group partay! heh

By afadingvoice, at 12/21/2004 8:21 PM
Ok, this is going to be my last post I promise. I have been a chatterbox again.

Remember I said that Kaitlin gets on her fan site and she replies to posts. Well, she just replied to mine and this is what she said (And yes, it's Brendan related)

Stephie,
thanks so much sweetie! Its very nice that you all appreciate me coming on, but i more so, I really appreciate everyone's support and kind words!
By the way, Brenden is a doll, good guy to have a crush on!! See, the truth is out. Brendan is a doll and everyone knows it! =) (Oh, and I can have a crush on both Brendan and Sean, it's ok!)

Mad poster, shutting up now! =)

By Stephie Mc, at 12/21/2004 8:37 PM
That is so nice...
Alhtough it brought back some memories about that article stating "Kaitlin then received a phone call from her boyfriend, Olympic Swimmer Brendan Hansen"
*shudders*
Has she gone public about Ry Ry?

By Lena, at 12/21/2004 8:44 PM
You should check out the site. She talks about Ryan and even has a cute pic of them. I think she is just the kind of girl that gets along with everyone. She's a cutie.

By blairbecky, at 12/21/2004 9:15 PM
Ok, one more post because I had to come and reassure Lena. Kaitlin did not answer about Ry-Ry directly, but did say he means a lot to her. There is a pic of them that she uses as her avatar, and she has mentioned she is going to spend New Year's with him, so that sounds pretty "official" to me.

But I'm not one to gossip. You didn't hear it from me! =)

By Stephie Mc, at 12/21/2004 9:31 PM
Stephie.... I have two cousins who married brothers and I have two Uncles who married sisters. That is friendly and nice and totally acceptable. But it is not nice for one girl to marry brothers...... Nope. Not nice at all. I am thinking about making those Ricotta Cookies

By lala, at 12/21/2004 9:33 PM
Oh Mrs.H that was a great story..it made my night!
I like that idea of all of us getting together one night, that would be fun;)
Hmm tequila stories....there are a few of those..all though for some reason none of mine are too clear..lol.

By LongHornLove, at 12/21/2004 9:33 PM
So, according to lala's reasoning.
If I think of Steph as a sister (and I do Tigger), then that means that we can marry the Handsome Bros. (with the bless of the family, of course).

Don't mind me. I'm just getting crazy before lala forces me to go to bed.

By Lena, at 12/21/2004 9:55 PM
Yes I am forcing Lena to bed. It is 1am in Argentina and she is trying to get well.. Sweet Lena, It is late in PA too. Bren-Bear, your littel pumpkin has to train early in the morning so I bet he won't post tonight no matter how late you wait up, And if he does it will only be because he wants you to awaken feeling better and to have the surprise of his post. So dang it! Go to bed already!

By lala, at 12/21/2004 10:02 PM
Mrs. H-Great story; reminds me of the impromtu party we had two weeks before break: Maragritas, shots of really strong Tequila, and 80s music on full blast. The goal of my roomies: to get me wasted; I ended up the most sober of us all!

All these recipes are sounding good....if I can find my mother's recipe for Peanut Butter Blossoms I will post it; they are sooooo good!

By lizook12, at 12/21/2004 10:22 PM
Fine, I'll go to bed...
lala won't talk to me anymore if I don't. and I lvoe her too much to let that happen.
off to dream with you know what...

By Lena, at 12/21/2004 10:26 PM
Lala-I love your Alcoholic’s Delight Fruitcake recipe. I have tried a similar version using that nice little space on the neck, but would love to try your method #2 sometime.
Swimphilly-If you want to make Lena’s alfajores, I can send you some dulce de leche. I haven’t revealed my Argentine connection, but have been there several times, and Lena’s fair city is wonderful. The only problem with visits to Argentina is the rapid weight gain due to all of the excellent food. Anyway, I have tried in the past to make dulce de leche with condensed milk as Lena described, but it isn’t quite what they make over there. I have some left from my last visit (unopened, of course) and its yours if you’d like to try it. I don’t recall where you live, Swimphilly,(Philly?) but you may also be able to find it in a latin market if there is a decent latin population in your area. Lena is right-dulce de leche ice cream is the best (especially from Dolce Y Freddo) and Dreyer’s makes one that’s pretty stinkin’ good. As for the tequila stories, all I can say is that I can no longer go near the stuff (unless, of course, I am ever in the position to try method #2) and even the margarita flavored Jelly Bellies bring back bad memories…

By No Good User Names Left, at 12/21/2004 11:18 PM
Wow, im not at the blog for a couple of hours and a whole discussion of tequila stories has started. i just read Mrs. H's post and i am cracking up. Ian is such a sweetie.
as far as college party stories go i am still in the process of experiencing them. UT Austin class of 2006 baby!!!!
the funniest so far would have to be when my friend decided after she had a few too many that she wanted to eat a lot of chocolate and watch disney movies. we all sort of just looked at her and cracked up. ahh good times.
oh and Mrs.H, i would have given anything to be there at the bar to participate in the *GOOD TIMES* but ill take hearing about it and when you talk to Mrs. Crocker tell her I think she is just hilarious.

By jenny, at 12/21/2004 11:28 PM
Yikes, what the heck happened to my punctuation on my previous post??? Oh well. Hope everyone is still voting in the poll, it remains close.

By No Good User Names Left, at 12/21/2004 11:52 PM
LOL and LOL some more. Love your post Mrs. H! This has almost (I say almost because, well, I'm lazy) inspired me to look online for a picture of Mrs. Crocker, so I can complete the visual. p.s. blairbecky, I'll be joining you with the cranberry and vodkas.

The yummy delights above sound fab, perhaps even enough so to inspire me to bake. *Pause* What's that sound I hear?....I think my oven is laughing at me.

Oven: Good one! hahaha! Do you even know where my "on" button is?
Me: Shut up. I know it's a knob.
Oven: My pilot light is off.
Me: Don't make me use the toaster oven. (said with attitude)

By crackinup, at 12/22/2004 2:54 AM
Tequila stories aye?

Well in 2003, I spent the summer at a hotel in Bogota with some friends. Because we basically lived there for the summer we got to be really friendly with the staff and we'd go out with them and hang out with them at night. One night there was nothing really going on so we decided to play card games - while drinking (Jose Cuervo Reposada). Needless to say there was a lot of dancing on tables and no actual winning of games and we couldn't keep track of who had to play. It was fun.

What was terrible was waking up the next morning.

By Dana, at 12/22/2004 6:07 AM
Well, we're losing ground in the polls. We need to start voting again.
So, somebody else was in my city? Cool!
And yes, like I said, there's a hard way of doing dulce de leche: it involves milk, sugar, vanilla essence and boil it for and sturve it for days. The condensed milk, while not as good, is much easier.

My recipe of the day: Spekulaas (dutch cookies)

Ingredients
260 - 300 grams (10 oz, pretty much) of regular flour
115 (4oz) grams butter,
280 gram (10 oz)brown sugar,
1 teaspoon of cinnamon,
1 teaspoon Nut moscada,
1 teaspoon nail of smell (?) Clavo de olor, is a spice that you use in cakes,
1 teaspoon ginger powder,
eventually 1 big spooon of milk or water if the dough is too dry.

Preparation

1. Mix the sugar and the butter until you get a soft paste
2. In a second bowl, mix teh flour with the spices.
Join the dry ingredients with the sugar/butter mix and make the dough. Let it rest covered with a plastic foil for hours.
3. Cut in shapes and cook in preheated ovebn (175ºC) (350ºF) for 15-20 minutes

4. Let them get cold for 5 minutes and then enjoy.

They're simple and delicious.My personal favorites.

Back to voting

By Lena, at 12/22/2004 7:08 AM
Dana's story reminded me of a trip I took this past summer to the beach. We ended up running into a bunch of people we knew and invited them all over one night to our room. After about an hour's worth of drinks I decided it would be fun to play tennis (I used to play in high school) So about 6 of us drunk people go out and play "Drunken Tennis" and I surprised myself-I beat everyone....although I don't think we followed all the rules, haha. Then after the 'tennis' we played this drinking game called "Never Have I Ever" in case you've never heard of this, what you do is someone says "Never Have I ever...." then if what they say is true for you , you take a drink. (example) Someone says "Never have I ever went skinny dipping" and if you have, you have to take a drink...so basically this is a fun way to find out dirt about your friends-bc went you've had a few you start sharing a little more:) Maybe all of us can get together sometime and play....care to join us Bren? ;)wink

By LongHornLove, at 12/22/2004 7:24 AM
Pumpkin, the troops are tired and the Team Leader even more.
I'm trying to get the spirit but it's hard.
We need some words from you, do if you're done shopping, just drop by OK?
And bring Sean with you, you know for who*cough*tigger*cough

By Lena, at 12/22/2004 7:57 AM
A BHO game of "Never Have I Ever" would be sooo fun! heehee!

I'm voting as much as I can. We lost some ground, but we're making a strong comeback. We will not give up! They'll never take us alive!

By Stephie Mc, at 12/22/2004 8:36 AM
The next time New York hosts a swimming event of note, I'm dragging all you tequila girls (moms included) down to Tortilla Flats. It's NYC's twentysomething mexican dive bar, the decor theme is the Nativity Scene and Elvis (lots of black velvet and frankencense and mirrh) and every Sunday is Trivia Night where it's free tequila for correctly-answered Trivial Pursuit Genius Edition questions. If it's your birthday, or if you do something substantial like oh, I don't know, absolutely destroy the field at NCAAs (ha), they make you demonstrate your hula hoop skills, standing on the bar. I think you girls could put in a memorable showing. It's also about fifty feet away from my apartment, so ten points for the last person to stagger back. :)

D

By Dana Cara, at 12/22/2004 9:15 AM
I know..I've been voting all morning!

And yes Stephie Mc-a BHO game of Never Have I Ever would be so much fun...:)

By LongHornLove, at 12/22/2004 9:31 AM
Dana,I would definitely love to visit that bar. Sounds like so much fun and I'm a sucker for trivia. I have all kinds of it running around the brain of mine. I like to joke I remember all the unimportant stuff. :p If I did get questions right I would let y'all have the shots,okay?

Lena,I will vote on and off today seeing as I am snowed in here. We are working on a foot right now but it's supposed to get worse. We won't let Bren down,promise.

By blairbecky, at 12/22/2004 10:08 AM
Dana,

I live in New York and LOVE Tortilla Flats. You are very lucky that you live down there- it's great. I've tried the Hula Hooping, but haven't been very successful:) Maybe if I had fewer margaritas, I would have been better:)

By Heather, at 12/22/2004 11:22 AM
Hey Heather,

That is so cool, another NY'er ... are you uptown?

D

By Dana Cara, at 12/22/2004 12:41 PM
Steph -- That game is dangerous, I'm just sayin'. Also we called it "I Never" Perhaps it's because it's easier to say, especially for drunk people, but either way works.

The tequila stories are cracking me up, especially yours Mrs. H! There's a reason its nickname is "tekillya"! ;)

Although drinking with the parents is always...enlightening, for both sides. One year at school during Parents Weekend, my poor dad tried to keep up with me and my friends. We were doing Lemon Drops (just like a tequila shot, but substitute vodka, sugar, and lemons). The only other time I have ever seen my dad that drunk was at my brother's wedding last year. Dad still talks about how he hung with us and if we go out for dinner and I mention I want a drink, he'll ask if I want a Lemon Drop.

By JHD, at 12/22/2004 12:48 PM
I am so jealous of you NY girls. I have never been and i have always wanted to. After graduation I want to go to Grad school there at NYU or Columbia. So i might be seeing you!.haha

By jenny, at 12/22/2004 12:50 PM
Pumkin here... just got done workout and pretty tired. I swam with my brothers team. I think I should go upstairs and take a shower though cause I smell like bromine, its pretty strong...doesnt really turn the ladies on if you know what I mean. Sean has some last minute shopping that he has to do, otherwise he would post. Oh and to be totally honest I think that if you guys played never have a ever this sight would quickly not be a PG rated site. Well I think there is a body wash and one of those scrunchy sponge thingys waiting for me. Before you know I will be mountain spring fresh...haha I'll post later with an update....You know there is a problem with your life...when you get this excited about a shower.

By pumkin, at 12/22/2004 12:50 PM
Dana-

Yeah I live uptown now. I used to live in Union Sq, which I loved! I needed more space, so I moved up. Only other real plus is the park- other than that I spend most of my time downtown.

By Heather, at 12/22/2004 12:51 PM
I think everyone has a drinking story, but my mom might be the funniest person to drink with. Aunt C and Aunt K are close seconds. I mean you hang out with this trio and you are for sure to wake up with swore abs from laughing so hard. Although the times arent often, I never try and miss one.

By pumkin, at 12/22/2004 12:58 PM
GAH! Ok, I can not even type something clever because Brendan just had to mention taking a shower! GAH!

Brendan - Tell Sean we'll let him use that excuse about not posting for now, but only because it's the holidays. After his shopping is done, there will be no more excuses. Don't be scared away, Sean. We promise to behave, or at least try to. =)

RE: "I Never" well we'd have to play in real life, because we don't want any incriminating evidence left out here on the internet. I have to agree with Bren on that one! ;)

By Stephie Mc, at 12/22/2004 1:00 PM
I read "shower" and "bodywash" and my brain exploded. Thnak you Bren and goodnight!

By Dana, at 12/22/2004 1:06 PM
See the spelling errors....exactly.

By Dana, at 12/22/2004 1:06 PM
"You know there is a problem with your life...when you get this excited about a shower"

I won't say what I'm thinking here, but all of those who know me from OG pretty much can guess where I went with this...The sewer duplex just expanded again. ;) Bren, please don't tease us with statements like this!

And definitely the BHO version of "I Never" should never end up on the internet. What happens during a BHO get-together, should stay in the BHO get-together.

By JHD, at 12/22/2004 1:10 PM
OH yes! Def gotta keep Never Have I Ever off the internet....:) That wouldnt be good!

By LongHornLove, at 12/22/2004 1:22 PM
New Recipe:

1 part Pumpkin
1 part body wash
1 part scrubby scunchy

= BHO ladies losing all ability to spell and form coherent sentences.

And btw, I am sooo drinking with Mrs. H and the Aunts one day. That sounds like a good time. (y'all just have to excuse the fact that I'm a really cheap drunk)

By Michelle, at 12/22/2004 1:38 PM
I'm with you,Michelle. I'm a pretty cheap drunk myself. I do know the best drink I've ever had was a hand grenade down at Mardi Gras. Anybody had those? Yummy,but I can only do about one and I'm done. Drinking with Aunt C,Aunt K and Mrs.H would be priceless. :D Between all of us I'm sure we would be fully entertained. I'm pretty giggly on my own but add some alcohol and funny stories I will probally embarass myself.

Now,Bren,the fact that you mentioned a conversation being more than PG and taking a shower in the same post left me speechless. Goodness,how is a girl supposed to think about anything else now...lol. *Sigh*

By blairbecky, at 12/22/2004 1:50 PM
Heather, we were in Union Square last night - tonight we're going to Doc Holliday's x from Thompson Sq Park - love that area. Whenever I can't convince the girls to do the West Village/Meatpacking/Pastis thing, we land in the EV. The funniest part of living here is the celebrities, Mary Kate Olsen is around a lot, James Gandolfini (Tony Soprano) lives two blocks down and rides his bike in the mornings. :) Next time we're planning a Tortilla Flats night (January?)I'll post about it, come join us, would love to have you.

Another funny thing, a swimmer who's a pretty good friend of mine, on the Nat'l B team, got addicted to soap operas after Trials - he wasn't used to having free time in the middle of the day. Ever had a 23-year-old