Sunday, February 5, 2012

In the spirit of the superbowl...

I made cookies tonight for my housemate's superbowl party tomorrow. Red, white and blue ones, as I am told those are the team colors.

The orange color of the red frosting is actually red. Just kind of light. I got the dog shaped cookie cutter in an antique store, I love it.

I didn't finish decorating all the cookies yet, but I will have plenty of colors to choose from. I just got some white frosting and some food coloring so I could make all different colors. Shown to the right, I used chopsticks to color in the little scarves the dogs are wearing.

One of my other favorite shapes: my goose cookie cutter, which I got at a different antique store. It's starting to become a hobby of mine to collect cute animal shaped cookie cutters from antique stores.

If I get back from the mall in time, I will catch some of the game at the party and enjoy the other snacks my housemate will have made. May the best team win!

33 comments:

  1. Hi Jen!

    Great cookies!
    Just wondering who Al will be rooting for?

    All I am saying is "GO GIANTS!" I recently received this joke...yeh it's a blonde joke... this one has to be the best -- because it makes football make sense!

    A guy took his blonde girlfriend to her first football game. They had great seats right behind their team's bench. After the game, he asked her how she liked it.
    "Oh, I really liked it," she replied, "especially the tight pants and all the big muscles, but I just couldn't understand why they were killing each other over 25 cents."
    Dumbfounded, her boyfriend asked, "What do you mean?"
    "Well, they flipped a coin, one team got it and then for the rest of the game, all they kept screaming was... 'Get the quarterback! Get the quarterback!' I'm like...Helloooooo? It's only 25 cents!!!!"   

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  2. Haha, that's a funny joke Meesh. My housemate was rooting for the patriots, but I don't really have a team.

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  3. Hi Jen,

    I guess this year I was in a New York state of mind...I do not follow football, but I watched the Super Bowl with a couple of friends who were rooting for the Patriots. I stood my ground and was pleased with the outcome. Yeh! Giants! Such a big fuss over 25 cents hahahaha

    I really liked the half time show with Madonna, holy it's hard to believe she's 60 years old.

    I wondered who Al would be rooting for, he seems to like many Boston teams, the Celtics and the Bruins... but again, he has his Yankees too.

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  4. Hey Jen!

    Ever the thoughtful one, aren't you, making cookies for your housemates. Excuse me a sec', just figured out Meesh's blonde joke--need a few to compose myself--ever laughed so hard your beverage trickled out of your nose--dang!

    We had an old black and white television set when I was growing up, and the contrast & bright buttons weren't in the best shape, so whenever sports was on I'd always root for team I could see--usually the team in lighter colors/colours, so given that the Celtics and Bruins were powerhouses in those days the networks ran lots of their games--thus my fondness for them. Of course, the hometown Yankees were also profiled given their hugh success as well.

    Was telling some friends in New London, Ct that I was neutral on the outcome of the Super Bowl and would have been happy for either team to win. Hat tip to the Giants, and to Eli Manning (his father, Archie, played for the old New Orleans Siants back in my black & white television days when they played in such a manner that their nickname was the "Ain'ts", so I'm happy the elder Manning has lived long enough to see both his sons, Eli and Peyton, achieve the success that eluded him.

    Meesh is now 2 wins in a row on picking the eventual Super Bowl champions--woohoo! Suddenly hungry for some of those dog and goose cookies. Have a great week, Jen!

    Did you find the mall was less busy due to everyone else watching the Super Bowl?

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    1. Al,

      I love that story of your black and white TV days watching sports. Didn't you also tell me given if it was home game or visitor game, you found yourself rooting for different teams because their jerseys were different colours. Brighter to watch? I loved that too.

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  5. Cool story, Al! I shared more cookies in all rainbow colors with my coworkers today, and they thought the cookies were really cute. They liked the little dogs. :)

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  6. Oh, and the mall seemed as busy as any other weekend I'd guess.. except maybe Black Friday which is busier than usual.

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    1. Nothing like a good surprise to boost morale in the workplace than an unexpected treat, and sounds like the little doggie cookies made a hugh splash so to speak. Suddenly, am craving a glass of cold milk and cookies.

      Hmm, so the Mall seemed as busy as ever huh...the reason I asked is because overheard some ladies in front of me at the grocery market last weekend say they used that time (day of the Super Bowl) to get in their best shopping due to the places being less crowded. Something tells me these ladies would rather watch the Super Bowl than engage with the hugh crowds on Black Friday...

      ***had to redraft my comment to take out judgement of Black Friday being akin to Black E** Friday due to the jostling, pushing and shoving. Was wrong to over generalize like that.

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  8. I have to admit, I'm not a big fan of football personally. I'll use anything as an excuse to make cookies or other cute snacks, though. :)

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  9. Jen

    I am with you, football is not my favourite, however I like some of the crazy stuff football players do...the happy dance after a goal. Anyway for pet lovers, not sure if they appreciate this football joke.

    Tebow, a local football star, is jogging down the street when he sees a building on fire. A woman is standing three floors up on ledge holding her pet cat in her arms. Funny Football jokes

    'Hey, lady, 'yells Tebow, 'Throw me the cat.'

    'No, 'she cries, 'It's too far.'

    'I play football, I can catch him.'

    The smoke is pouring from the windows, and finally, the woman waves to Tebow, kisses her cat goodbye, and then tosses the moggy down onto the street. Tebow keeps his eye on the cat as it comes hurtling down toward him. The feline, bounces off an awning and Tebow runs into the street and catches the cat. He jumps six feet into the air and makes a spectacular one handed catch. The crowd that has gathered to watch the fire, breaks into cheers. Tebow does a little dance, lifts the cat above his head, wiggles his knees back and forth, then Tebow ' spikes' the cat into the pavement.

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  10. Good morning, Jen!

    Aha, so the cat's outta the bag I see (well, at least you're honest about your sentiments towards football). Besides, as any avid fan will tell ya, win or lose, it's the snacks, treats, beverages, and the comradery of good company that enhances the Super Bowl experience. Toss in some of those cute/funny commercials, and a few jokes akin to Meesh's classic above, and the day is well spent.

    Speaking of days well spent, here's wishing you great days ahead. Back next week to find out what's next on tap here at your Epic Treats.

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  11. Clever joke, Meesh. Hopefully the cat was able to avoid being injured with its great reflexes. They say cats have nine lives, you know.

    I agree, Al, that lots of things make the superbowl fun besides the actual game itself. :)

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  12. Well Jen, hopefully that's true...surviving a spike into the pavement would certainly prove the reflexes in a cat...or hopefully the cat wasn't on its ninth life already.


    Also both of us are not really interested in SuperBowl or football.. but would this entice you? Next year, XLVII superbowl will be on February 3, 2013 and will be held at Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. Can you imagine the festivities at that one? I live next to Detroit Michigan, and they predict the Lions have a good chance at that one...Ha! even the fans have their doubts, I originally read this joke in the Detroit Free Press:

    Snow White was returning from town to the cottage in the forest where she lived with the 7 dwarfs. In the distance she could see smoke, then as she got nearer she realized that their cottage had burnt down.

    Frantically, Snow White searched the forest for the dwarfs, then she heard a lone voice saying, 'Lions for the NFC North, the Detroit Lie Downs will win Superbowl XLVII'.

    On hearing this chant, Snow White gave a little sigh of relief as she knew that at least Dopey was safe.

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    1. Hahaha...good one, Meesh! Cheers to your winsome sense of humour : )

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  13. Wow, New Orleans will definitely be busy next superbowl. They're sure to have a lot of fun. As for me, I've had my fill of New Orleans, after visiting three times. :)

    Hah, I like the punchline to that joke.

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    1. Hey Jen!

      Oh, no, say it ain't so @ having your fill of New Orleans(just kiddin'). You and a great many others venturing down to New Orleans over the last few years has made a significant impact in their overall recovery efforts, following the devastation left in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.

      Back tomorrow to see if you've had a chance to bake some heart shaped cookies/treats in honor of Valentine's Day today (you really have a way of spoiling your roommates and co-workers). Have a great week, Jen : )

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  14. Good morning, Jen!

    Have a great day : )

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  15. Hi Al,
    I didn't really make anything for Valentine's Day, since I just made the cookies, but I did bring little boxes of pink and white nerds candy for my co-workers. I also went to a little party at my friend's house, and she made some great food-- beans and rice, guacamole and chips, pot stickers and little cheese and phyllo tarts, grapes and apple slices, and some baked brie. Needless to say, I had a very nice lunch of some of the leftovers today. :)

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  16. Good morning, Jen!

    Sounds like you enjoyed some meaningful time with your friend, and nibbled on some tasty treats as well. Apple slices are great (an ideal snack and certainly good in terms of nutritional value). Can imagine your stock is on the rise with your co-workers, boosting their morale with treats the way you have been.

    Not familiar with "pot stickers" or "phyllo tarts". When I dare to cook something myself, a "pot sticker" would imply that I burnt something again, but I know it means something much better when you say it. What does it really mean? And, also "phyllo tarts"? Back next week to see what's next on tap here at your Epic Treats. Have a great day, and weekend.

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    1. Pfft you make laugh Al, with your references of burning stuff... so what?! C'mon even Jen with her expertise in cooking has seen some cooking disasters, we all have. Now look below what I tell/ask Jen..never give up.

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  17. Pot stickers are little Chinese pockets of sorts that have meat and/or vegetables in them, like cabbage, carrots or chicken/beef.

    http://bakelikeaninja.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/pot-stickers-6.jpg

    Phyllo dough is a very thin, flaky dough used to make pastries, and my friend made little square shaped ones with this sweet cheese and preserves in the middle. I brought a couple to work with me and they tasted amazing warmed up in the microwave.

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    1. Now Jen, when men (such as Al) state they cannot COOK worth beans... I have found many of these men can make great omelets... For me, I have never mastered the expertise as some men do...not sure if Al could prepare an omelet... (I think he could or can) My Dad who never cooked, also I have other friends who found themselves single, found only they could cook an omelet.

      By the way, my Dad became a great cook... Do you agree? Mastering a simple omelet opens the gate to many great male cooks? What woman on earth would not love a man who can prepare this simple meal? OK back to AL, can you prepare a simple omelet?

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    2. Is this like one of those thinking quickly on your feet questions, where you know the answer, but you want to impress the person asking?

      Well, before I dare to answer, hat tip to Meesh's Dad, and men everywhere who have mastered the fine art of cooking--cheers! An omelet for brunch, especially on Sunday's is a great way to start a day. The local IHOP and Denny's are now offering a healthy California style omelet.

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  18. Just for Al a cooking joke... Nope you're not off the hook...methinks you can prepare an omelet... here goes:

    "We try to keep him out of the kitchen.

    Last time he cooked he burned the salad."

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    1. Hahaha...now that my face is turning into a deep reddish hue(blush/rougir), let's redirect this in the kitchen w/Al programming with a word from our sponsors, while I check in with Jen's answers to my questions from last time. Have a great day, Meesh!

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  19. Hey Jen!

    Trust you are continuing to settle in nicely in your new place, and all is well @ work as well. Thank you for enhancing my food vocabulary with your timely response to my questions about pot stickers and phyllo tarts. They both sound like ideal treats. If they were a Jeopardy clue last week, I would have had to wager $0 dollars and hope my opponents "bet the farm" and got it wrong if I had any chance of winning...oh, well--am enlightened thanks to you.

    Oh, please settle a minor dispute between me and a co-worker. Do you think food coloring is added to those light greenish "Shamrock" milkshakes McDonald's serves around this time of the year? Have a good day, Jen, and a great week ahead : )

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  20. Meesh- I can agree with your general theory of men and cooking, that though they may not be good at making a lot of things sometimes, they can be really good at making one thing. My good friend doesn't really ever cook, but when I went to see him, we made this amazing pasta with the best sauce I ever tasted, which was his own recipe. We used regular pasta sauce as a base and chopped up some fresh basil, oregano, black olives, carrots and tomatoes and simmered it for about half an hour... and it was worth every minute.

    Al- I'd say McDonalds definitely uses green food coloring in their shamrock shakes. There is no natural way to make a shake like that green.

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    1. Hey Jen!

      Sounds like a real keeper, and that sauce sounds mmm, mmm good, too.

      Had a feeling it was food coloring in those Shamrock shakes, but a co-worker said the greenish tint was from stirred kiwi and honeydew melon as if I'd fall for that. She's kind of a know it all that one.

      Enjoy your day, Jen : )

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    2. Hi there Jen!

      I agree with Al, that sauce sounds like a keeper (and your good friend too) I also believe in utilizing fresh herbs... but never thought to add carrots and black olives. I use tomatoes, cremini mushrooms and a couple of crushed garlic cloves.I will have to try that, thanks for sharing!

      As to Al's question about Mickey Dees Shamrock Shakes... you're spot on Jen....hahahaha honeydew melons & kiwi. I referred to wiki who know everything about everything:
      "Shamrock Shake From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

      The Shamrock Shake, a mint flavored, green-dyed vanilla milkshake, is a seasonal dessert sold at McDonald's during parts of February and March to celebrate St. Patrick's Day."

      Hmmm no signs of anything really healthy about it...Sidebar: Why wreck the taste of vanilla with peppermint extract? No I'm not a big mint fan in a drink.

      Well here are the complete ingredients:

      The ingredient list for the shamrock shake syrup includes high fructose corn syrup, corn syrup, water, sugar, natural plant flavoring (plant source), xanthan gum, citric acid, sodium benzoate (preservative), yellow 5, and blue 1. These are not the same ingredients included in the vanilla shake syrup.

      Nutritionally? Fat and lots of fat!
      A small shake has 540 calories and 16 grams of fat, while a large shake has 840 calories and 24 grams of fat. Low-fat vanilla ice cream is used

      You know when googling about the "Shamrock Shake"...it started as a charity drive back in 1970.

      Not certain how accurate the below link is... interesting though!
      http://www.irishcentral.com/food-and-drink/Secrets-behind-McDonalds-Shamrock-St-Patricks-Day-milkshake---SEE-VIDEO-117306988.html

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  21. Yes, come to think of it, we also added mushrooms to our sauce. It was great.

    Thanks for the informative summary of the shamrock shake! :)

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  22. Hey Jen!

    Adding mushrooms only enhanced the sauce you guys created--great idea!

    Adding my thanks to Meesh as well for her indepth report on the Shamrock shake's origins and ingredients. Enticed by the lore of the color combination of the Boston Celtics, and the fluffy white whipped cream adorned with a cherry on top, I usually have one around this time of the year.

    Back next week to see what's on tap next here at your Epic Treats. Have a safe and wonderful weekend :)

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  23. Thanks Al. I've been super busy so I haven't really had any time to bake/cook anything interesting, but I am going to San Francisco this weekend so maybe I'll make a blog post about that. :)

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