Fried Turkey

Robert fried a turkey this weekend. He did so while wearing a flannel shirt. The whole thing was just really, very manly.  

I watched a turkey fry this weekend. I did so while wearing a thrifted black dress and white sweater and a non-thrifted snuggly scarf. The whole thing was just really very cozy.

Frying a turkey doesn't take too long (30 minutes to get the oil hot enough, 45 minutes to actually cook it in that crazy medieval looking vat of boiling oil).

But the turkey frying and turkey resting (terribly important to let that poor turkey rest after all it's been through) leaves plenty of time to fly paper airplanes over a fall-leaf-filled backyard.

When it was time, Robert had the honor of carving the turkey. This was his first time doing so, and his grandmother provided expert advice. Then we all sat down and enjoyed an extra-crispy Thanksgiving dinner.

Happy Thanksgiving, y'all!

With a splash of sassy

My approach to Netflix Instant is to pick a television show and then just watch the hell out of it. Sometimes these shows are socially acceptable. For example, I watched all of "Arrested Development," and adored it. I'm so excited about the new season and movie. Bring it!

But sometimes my Netflix Instant choices are a little more... 75-year-old woman. Not that there's anything wrong with 75-year-old women. I should know, I apparently am one.

And so, I am all about "Murder She Wrote." That Jessica Fletcher, she sure is one smart woman. She lives in Maine, writes best-selling mysteries and always finds herself in a situation where a loved one is being wrongly accused of murder. She is so warm, intelligent and lovely. I kind of want to be her best friend.

I considered writing a "Jessica Fletcher/Angela Lansbury Style Icon" post, but let's be honest, that woman enjoyed collared shirts and big button earrings, neither of which are my thing. That said, I really think she owns her preppy/fuddy-duddy look, and I love it when she wears pearls, dons giant glasses and looks pensive while sitting next to a typewriter.

Most of us know Angela Lansbury as this not-so-sexy lady. We know her from "Murder She Wrote," "Bedknobs and Broomsticks," "Sweeney Todd" and "Pirates of Penzanze" (or at least that's where I know her from). But you know what? Angela Lansbury was once young woman starring in the pictures, and I have the photos to prove it. She looks like such a sexy kewpie doll! While the difference is notable, I think no matter what age she's at, Angela Lansbury is prim and proper with a splash of sassy. And that is why I love her.

Here, she's very Marian, Madame Librarian, adorable and innocent yet alluring... (That's right! Angela Lansbury: Alluring)

 In this photo, she's really turned up the heat. Look at that knowing smile! Angela Lansbury as Mae West. She wants you to come up and see her some time.

And here her Bette Davis eyes are almost as impressive as Bette Davis' Bette Davis eyes. And she'll tease you/ She'll unease you/ All the better just to please you...

Snack time

Yesterday, I was at my in-laws home and was a bit hungry so my mother-in-law whipped up a "snack" in 30 seconds.

It looked like it belonged in a food magazine -- spinach and peppers, pork tenderloin, mandarin oranges and a delicious homemade curry dressing. 

I was impressed, but I wasn't surprised. You get some seriously elegant/yummy food when you visit their place. 

Robert didn't cook at all when we met, but he's always been a foodie and has turned into a fun, try-anything chef since we moved in together. I think this is because I don't cook a lot and when I do it's healthy hippie food (He has little interest in discovering what tempeh is). He grew up with his mom, the amazing cook, and later moved in with his best friend Mike, the equally amazing cook (although Mike's aesthetic is less elegant and more "How can we make this so hot our heads explode?"). Then he moved in with me and realized if someone was going to make the fab food, it was probably going to be him.

So now he's always making delicious things. And then his friends come over and make delicious things. And then we go to his mother's or grandmother's and they make delicious things. It's not a bad life to have.

Nerd

Tonight in social studies class, we took a multiple-choice quiz on American history. We were not required to know the answers. The lesson was more about kinds of tests and what is the best way to assess your students. That said, we did get to raise our hands to see who got the most right. And guess what? It was me. "Nerd," the guy sitting behind me said.

I am a nerd.

Why do I know that the Articles of Confederation gave each state one vote and that Kentucky was the only slave-holding state to enter the Union in the Civil War? I just do, dude. I just do.

Thirty minutes later, I was at UNCC's Barnes and Noble bookstore and saw the above bags and freaked. Two of my favorite books! And no one can deny that "The Great Gatsby" has one of the best covers ever. I've considered buying book-cover shirts for a long time, but I'm pretty darn cheap and haven't actually done it. These bags were $1.99! You do not get cheaper than that. My inner cheapskate sang a song and then pushed up her nerdy glasses.

My only problem is that I realize these are meant to be shopping bags. I want to use them as bag bags as in I put my wallet, keys and phone in them. Is this socially acceptable? If not, how much do I care? Not much? Not when "The Great Gatsby" is involved? Yes. That's what I thought.

I am such a nerd.

Fall night

Leaves, moon, fuzzy boots my cat ate holes in, thrifted dress and bare legs because it's not too cold.

Published with Blogger-droid v2.0.1

Nom

Black bean salsa was waiting for me at home after a stress-inducing class. Happy six-month anniversary! Best hubby of six months ever.

Published with Blogger-droid v2.0.1

The Fair!

This year I have gone crazy about the fair. I've had fair enthusiasm before, but I'm finding it more magical than ever. 

I mean, look at the Midway. It's full of lights and corn dogs and cold drinks. There's gambling! And giant produce! Pig races! Tractor pulls! (Okay. Actually: I learned this year tractor pulls are as boring as they sound.)

Above, my friends (the hot hotties in the center) play Fat Albert. A game of chance involving rats where you put down a quarter in hopes of winning a cheap toy sheep. That's right: Gambling is apparently legal at the fair. Woot!

I tried my first pickle chips at the fair two years ago and fell madly in love. Of course, I had to have them this year as well (on both visits -- with ranch dressing).

My friend Allyson was in the pit of despair because she kept almost winning Bingo, but never actually won Bingo. Life is hard. Also pictured: The sheep my friend Sarah P. won when playing Fat Albert.

I'm scared of heights, but I like Ferris wheels. How does that make sense? It doesn't. It also means I clutch the edge of the seat throughout the entire ride.

So pretty! It's all lit up like Christmas, but there's fried food and pop music instead of eggnog and Christmas carols.

I love giant produce. I love watermelon. I love giant watermelons.

I also love carousels. Can we say whimsy? Whimsy.