Monday, February 28, 2011

Saturday, February 26, 2011

Roland Barthes:


"The bastard form of mass culture is humiliated repetition ... always new books, new programs, new films, news items, but always the same meaning."

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Dear professor for my elective,

thank you so, SO much for giving me this assignment to write over my reading week.

Sincerely,

a student who is trying to relax


Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Easy Cinnamon Roll Muffins



1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1/3 cup sugar
1/4 tsp salt
4 tsp active dry or rapid rise yeast
2/3 cup warm milk (100-110F; low fat is fine)
3 tbsp vegetable oil
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 large egg

Filling/Topping

2 tbsp butter, room temperature
2/3 cup brown sugar
3/4 tsp ground cinnamon
pinch ground cardamom

Icing
1 cup powdered sugar
1-2 tbsp milk or cream

In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar and salt. Dissolve the yeast in a measuring cup filled with the warmed milk, then stir milk mixture, vegetable oil, vanilla extract and egg into the flour mixture. Mix well, until very smooth. Pour into prepared pan and let rest for 15 minutes.


While the dough rests, mix together butter, brown sugar, cinnamon and cardamom in a small bowl using a fork until all the butter has been incorporated into the sugar and mixture is crumbly. Divide the batter between 12 greased muffin cups. Sprinkle evenly on top of rested dough and press the mixture down into the dough with your fingertips (or swirl in with a spatula.)


Place pan into a cold oven, then set the oven temperature to 350F.


Bake for about 20 minutes, until bread is lightly browned at the edges and the center of the bread springs back when lightly pressed. Some of the sugar mixture on top may still be bubbling.


Cool for at least 30 minutes before whisking the powdered sugar and milk together to form an icing and drizzling it onto the bread.


Serve warm. Leftovers can be reheated in the microwave.


Fried Apple Cakes



3 cups shredded apples from peeled apples

juice of half a lemon

2 large eggs, lightly beaten

1/2 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg

pinch of salt

2 Tablespoons brown sugar

2 Tablespoons unsalted butter and a dash of oil for cooking pancakes

Peel three medium apples. Grate the apples and drizzle the juice of half a lemon over the shredded apple. Place shredded apples in a colander over a bowl and leave for 10 minutes while you assemble the rest of the ingredients.

Beat the eggs and add the flour , sugar and spices. Whisk until no lumps remain. Press some of the excess juices out of the resting apples and add to the egg and flour mixture.

Over medium heat, melt half of the butter in a heavy bottom skillet and add just a dash of oil. This will help the butter not burn. Dollop large tablespoonfuls of apple batter into the hot butter and fry like pancakes, flipping once. Serve with maple syrup and sour cream.

(source: http://www.joythebaker.com/blog/2010/09/fried-apple-cakes/#more-3458)

Monday, February 21, 2011

Player 1 = my bro / Player 2 = me



Totally kicked his behind. Not by much, but it was the start to a three-win streak. What's up.

First metal experience at the Annex Rec Room



Texas in July


Structures

Monday, February 14, 2011

Happy Valentine's Day surprise to me!




Double fisting a strawberry smoothie and BJ with a side of shocker :D

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Dear blank, please blank





Pure happiness



Surprise mint chocolate chip ice cream. Legit almost peed myself with excitement.

ps. this is my second bowl


Thursday, February 3, 2011

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

April 3rd, 2010



Pretty sure my brother and I went for a 2 hour bike ride and decorated hard-boiled eggs later that afternoon.