Bananas Foster Cupcakes

This weekend, my cousin and I made an angel food cake with bananas foster topping, and it was really very good. So it was the inspiration for these cupcakes.
Bananas Foster Cupcakes
1 white cake mix
3 ripe, squishy bananas

Follow directions on box, but replace oil with the bananas.


Caramel Buttercream Frosting
1/2 c butter
1/2 c brown sugar
4 tbs. half and half
1 tsp vanilla
dash of salt
3 cups confectioner's sugar

Melt butter and sugar in saucepan, bring to a boil for one minute. Remove from heat, stir in half and half and salt, let cool completely. Add to mixer, whip until smooth, add sugar one cup at a time.

You know what I think is funny?

1. I went to the chiropractor today. And when I arrived and got out of my car, I noticed that the parking lot was a complete sheet of ice. This is funny to me because I would assume that in the winter, there is an increase in visits to the chiropractor among those that slip and fall on the ice. Irony. It's funny.
   
2. Ben Affleck was at work today.
   
3. Birth Mark and Big Dog's friend were walking to a conference room, and there were already people occupying this conference room. And when BD's friend told this to BM, BM replied "Can we take them?" And that was the end of the conversation.
   
4. Also at the chiropractor, the receptionist gave me a can of coffee. Actually, she told me to go into her car and get the can of coffee out of the back seat.

Nevermind

I fixed the sidebar.

Julie & Julia

How come I didn't notice this before? I loved this book because I love cooking and I love reading and it was both. And now it is going to be a movie, a third love. Great news. I hope they actually make the movie, and that it is true to the book.

Technologically delayed

So I think I may get an iPod. I know, significantly behind the times. I have a Sony mp3 player, but it is annoying. There is an lcd screen. But you can barely tell what is going on, and it scrolls and the screen is tiny. Also, if it is sunny outside, you can't see anything. Anyway, I am thinking of getting a Nano. When we got the new car, it didn't have a cd player, so I got one installed. And it has the auxiliary jack, and now I don't want to have to deal with cds if I don't have to. I don't know. I worry if I get the ipod, it will be one more gadget that I love but then never end up using. I don't like clutter. We'll see.

I need help

Can anyone tell my why my sidebar is now at the bottom? I cant figure it out. I have tried to mess around with the template, and can't seem to make it move back. Also, I don't think my spell check works in blogger anymore. I have been posting from word. Anyone have any thoughts?

thanks Z

If You Really Want To Know, Look In The Chinese Liaison.

over the river and through the woods

We are leaving tomorrow at about 4:00 am to go visit my grandmother in Vermont. A long weekend, and though we intended on going skiing, there was a giant flood there just the other day, since it was suddenly 53 degrees. Apparently, they have some snow today, but not everything is open.

Could we go elsewhere? Yes. Would we, no.
This is where my uncle and cousin are both instructors, so it is where we go, and we like it.

So, my friends, I won’t be writing for a few days, but will have lots to talk about, including my Babcia's delicious golompkies, my crazy family, and my relaxation when I return.

Cupcakes are your friend

I made Chocolate Cupcakes frosted and filled with Marshmallow Buttercream frosting today. They are yummy!

Marshmallow Buttercream Frosting

2 cups half and half
1 bag mini marshmallows
2 cups butter
4 tsp vanilla

Cream butter in your mixer, add the vanilla. Put half & half and marshmallows in a pan on low heat , melt marshmallows and remove from heat & cool completely.
Add marshmallow mixture to creamed butter, whip until fluffy.

Not too sweet, rich & buttery & light all at the same time. Delicious!

Nosey Parker

5 things I was doing 15 years ago
1. Writing the Terry Fox story
2. Taking astronomy
3. Editing the yearbook
4. Riding around in Michelle's car
5. Getting ready for college

5 things on my to-do list today
1. Frost cupcakes
2. Order pens
3. Wash shower curtain
4. Get ready for trip to Vermont
5. Move file cabinet

Snacks I enjoy
1. Blueberries
2. Ice Cream
3. Goldfish Crackers
4. Popcorn
5. Guacamole

Things I would do if I were a billionaire
1. Give a lot away to buy chickens
2. Invest
3. Pay off any debts that are left
4. Travel to all the places I haven't been yet
5. Send people to college so they don't have the debt I had

3 Bad habits
1. Wasting time being lazy
2. Leaving my shoes on the kitchen table
3. Not picking up my clothes

5 Places I've lived
1. Rochester, NY
2. East Rochester, NY
3. Keuka Park, NY
4. Irondequoit, NY
5. Yeah…I don't get out much

5 Jobs I've Had
1. Cub Scout Camp nurse
2. Wedding Cake Baker
3. Editorial Assistant at a magazine
4. Pharmacy Technician
5. Ditto Machine Operator

5 Things People Probably Don't Know About Me
1. I love to sing
2. I rehearse conversations in my head (past or future conversations)
3. I'm not nearly as confident as people think
4. I am scared my past will haunt me forever
5. I don't want to be left alone

Little Miss Bossy Pants

I realized today that I have had some really great bosses. I have had some pretty crappy ones too, but the last two have been really, really awesome people. I was grocery shopping today and ran into my old boss (not the one that just got promoted, but the one from my last job). It's been almost 4 years since I worked for her, and she was still really excited to see me, gave me a hug and we stopped and caught up. It was great to see her, and she made me realize I have had the luxury of working for some great people.

saturday

Tonight I made a delicious meal and watched two fantastic movies.

I made this for dinner:

Shanghai Stir-Fry Tofu with Sesame Seeds from Wegmans.

It was really good.

(That's Wegmans' picture by the way.)

And then I watched these two really really great movies. I recommend them both.

I didn't like today

I didn’t like today at all.

First – I realized all the insane hurt and emotion that I thought was long gone actually isn't gone over this dad wanting to move in thing. Including, but not limited to: crying at work, freaking out on multiple occasions, and not being able to focus.

Second – I found out today out of nowhere, I have a new boss. Apparently there was a restructure on higher levels, and all of a sudden the boss that I love and feel really close to is promoted and now I will have a new boss. The only positive about this is that The Role Model is my new boss. I hope she will stay my role model now. On a somewhat unrelated note: she is touchy-feely in that she will rub your back or arm if the situation presents itself.

Third - I will be a baseball widow again this spring, my husband got another coaching job. And since he will be a head coach, and not an assistant, I have no reason not to attend games as I have in the past. Fantastic news.

Fourth – Due to today’s events, I will now have to go into work next week at least one day, though I took the whole week off. Not cool. Not cool at all.

do you think it's weird?

Do you think it is weird that my father, who I once didn’t speak to for 10 years, called me this evening to ask if he can move in with me and my husband? Only slightly awkward.

I heart heart day

I got a chinese food picnic for heart day.

and a new cookbook.

my favorite.

I like these things

My new polka dot tights from Target .

And my new sneakers from Target.

Clearly, I am enjoying my new purchases at Target.

ENCROACHMENT

I don’t even know where to begin.....

There was all kinds of chaos at lunch today, mostly because of the Big Dog, who sat not even two feet from us....for no good reason.

My first response - "Lets get out of here". Home Slice was not having it, replying "We have to stay". What ensued can only be described as deliberate, repeated product placement of all things Canandaigua in an effort to jog the Big Dog's memory of why Home Slice is recognizable to him.

Despite all effort, no direct contact was made, however, a giant leap has occurred! A smirk was received from the Big Dog, imparting the knowledge that he knows we know he knows.

Shifty eyed Home Slice missed aforementioned smirk, as she was busy pretending she didn’t know who he was.

Methinks things are coming to a head sooner rather than later. Home Slice anticipates accepting a starting position on the HH softball team.

Further field observations to follow.

Why Andrew Should Play for Big Dog

10. Ample stalking options for your beloved cousin

9. Financial endowment from Chinese Liaison based on active participation

8. Research Opportunities: potential to create new medication to relieve the symptoms of post party bloat

- side benefit - financial gain

7. networking opportunity: Big Dog knows EVERYONE

6. Possible golf/construction trip with your dad to Florida

5. Inspirational messages & tips on public speaking during pre-game huddles/pep talks

4. Potential for nomination to the Halfway Haus Hall of Fame base on recommendation from Big Dog, pending performance

3. chance of hook-ups with Big Dog's sloppy seconds as a house on the lake is a chick magnet

2. unlimited transportation opportunity if willing/able to hotwire a school bus

-Bonus Points for Short Bus

- Addition points for Birdie's Bus

1. Because Home Slice (aka your beloved cousin) says so

The Bathroom

I know that most of you tend to be sanitary in the use and cleaning of your bathrooms at home. I will say that the 4th floor women's bathroom at work is pure filth. Use your imaginations. And people, hand washing is expected.
And a majority of said people are nurses.

Anyway...the lighting in the bathroom is unacceptable. There are 5 stalls. And only adequate lighting in two. The wheelchair accessible one (which I tend not to use a) because I am not in a wheelchair and b) because my feet don't touch the ground when sitting on the toilet) and stall #2.

I used to use stall #2 regularly, due to the acceptable lighting. However, stall #2 has now become bidet-like in nature. No, I take that back - it is like a fountain in the park.

When it flushes - and they are automatic flushers, which you know are not always accurate at detecting when someone has evacuated the seat fully - stall #2's toilet EXPLODES with water. If you are standing in there, you will get soaked. There is water on the stall walls. There is water on the floors.

And I don't like it.

The Players – Part Deux

I felt it necessary to amend the entry entitled The Players, as there have
been some recent updates.

Amerks Fan

Apple Bottoms

Balding Faux Hawk

Bandanaman

Bellybutton

Big Butt Bossman

Bigger Big Dog

Blondie

Brendan

Chubby Smoker

Cosby Sweater

cruise ship couture

Crutches

Drop Kick Murphy's

Dwight Schrute

Eddie Munster

Father-Son combo

FFA/FHA

Ging & Jod

Grown Up Ruby Sue

Healthy Choice

Hot IT guy

Janice from the Muppets

Johnny Unitas

lesbian J-Lo

Lunchbox

MC Hammer

Mini Skirt

Miserable Meeting (aka Barefoot Contessa)

Monotone

Mr. & Mrs. Lasagne

My Neighbor

Not-Pregnant Gymnast

Old Bug Jar

Outsource Mr Bean

Peacock

Plattsburgh

Porky Pig

Puffy

Red Robin

Rick Moranis

Ron Livingston

Sam Contraeras

Sugary Bitches

The brothers / encroachers

The Diners

The Mediator

The Original Frosted Spiral Perm

The Runner

The Voice

The Weeble Wobble

Thyroid Eyes (the nose /mouth combo)

Tight Pants Outsource

Tim the Tool Man

Toddles

Tony! Toni! Toné!

Track Suit

treasure troll

Underpants

photos

I dont post enough pictures in here. I promise I will try to get better about that.

In an unrelated story - there were negative results to the hematology labs that they took. This is good news, however it still gives me no answers.

I made chicken mahkani and cauliflower for dinner. Fake Indian. It was delicious though.

Things I Did Today

Worked (this makes me tired)
Threw a baby shower for some very grateful procreators (this makes me feel all warm inside)
Finished the installation onto the laptop (this makes me feel all kinds of nerdy & smart)
Filed my taxes (this makes me yell YIPPEE since it is not only done, but we owe neither government any money)
Ate leftover salad & toast at 9:00pm (this makes me feel like I may get heartburn later on)

A day well spent.

See this movie

GREAT WORLD OF SOUND

See it because it is good and see it because my friend Katie's brother in law Pat Healy is the star.

full blown nerd and the promise ring

This title actually describes two different stories.

Full Blown Nerd refers to the fact that this evening I am downloading a media management program onto a laptop for my second job, while reading the directions that were emailed to me on my personal laptop. Double fisted laptop usage definitely refers to full blown nerd-dom.

The Promise Ring refers to the 50+ year old woman that I work with that came into work today wearing a "Promise Ring" from her 50+ year old boyfriend, whom she lives with, and telling everyone that it was a "pre-engagement ring". Seriously? You are over 50. Promise rings are for 15 year olds who think that their first boyfriend is the love of their life. Pre-engagement rings are also for teenagers who aren’t legally able to marry. That ring also refers to the fact that at over 50 years of age, this guy most likely wants nothing to do with marrying this woman, and he just wants to get her off his back. I would think the fact that they own a house together would be "promise" enough.
The fact that she wore a shirt the matching color of her ring and painted her nails, and told every single person that crossed her path also just made it wrong. I have named the ring "the one ring to rule the world"

Oh yeah, and one other thing.
The space- time continuum was disrupted today at lunch when the Brothers stole our table, Big Dog sat about a foot away, and everyone was just encroaching. It was uncomfortable, bizarre, and threw everything all off.

moonlighting

I have a second job that sometimes I want to quit.
I also have a second job that I often times cannot imagine not having as part of my life.
But there are days when all I want is for someone else to take responsibility for something, and not just leave it up to me to do.
Will I speak up, no.
And this is the reason. Too many toes will be stepped on, resulting in uncomfortable interactions, bad relationships, and hurt feelings.
Because as much as I was brought in to help things run like a business, it will never be just a business.

note to residents who want to be doctors

Do not answer your cell phone and have prolonged conversations in the middle of an exam.
Do not talk to your patients like they are stupid.
Do not look at your patient like they are clueless about why they are there.
And most importantly:
Do not laugh at your patient for being in your office.

I saw a hematologist today. A blood doctor.

You don’t go see a hematologist for a sore throat or a cold, you go because there is something potentially significantly wrong.

So pretend doctors who want to be real doctors, please please please…
DO NOT LAUGH IN YOUR PATIENT’S FACE.

superbowl losers

I am a superbowl loser. I waited until kickoff of the superbowl to go to the supermarket and do my weekly grocery shopping. It was glorious. Maybe that doesn't make me a loser, but smart.

cabin party

we went to a sledding party, though it was really a cabin party since the sledding wasn't all that great. Now I don't sled. I find no enjoyment in it whatsoever. But I did get to strap on my snowshoes for the 3rd time this year. Conditions were a bit wet, but it was only the 3rd time there has really been any snow on the ground, so I figured I needed to take advantage.

And I made clam chowder. It was good.

farewell

NP left today. Her last day. A glorious day.

The thing I still can’t figure out is why she makes me so crazy. In 11 years of my career, I have worked with many people I don’t necessarily like. However none have gotten under my skin and drove me as crazy as she did.
Maybe it was the blatant racism.
Maybe it was the narcissism.
Maybe it was the fake surprise.

Whatever it was, she is gone now.
Home Slice gave me till Tuesday to get over it.

After that, the frenemy will be moving into that seat.
We’ll see where that leads us.

infant precipitation

Can I just say that I don’t particularly like baby showers?
At church, I am responsible for throwing them, and in general it isn’t all that bad because not only did I place a complete moratorium on games, but there is generally enough work to be done that I can stay disengaged from the whole thing.
I do however loathe going to them as an attendee. I have a very difficult time sitting there oohing and aahhhing gifts that other people bought at Target or the black hole that is Babies r Us.
I also despise being a participant in baby shower games that include candy bars in diapers, baby pictures, or umbrellas.
Plus, not having children of my own, I just don’t care right now.
Recently I was invited to a shower for a friend’s wife. She is generally a very lovely person, however I find her difficult to talk to. All we have ever talked about is her undying love of makeup and hair, and her asking me when I was going to try to get pregnant again. To make matters worse, she and her husband were invited to the party I threw for my husband’s birthday – they came, ate, socialized…and barely spoke to me at all. Barely a hello, not a thank you. Nothing. And now, I am invited to her party so I can bring her a $20 baby bottle warmer. Sorry, but no thank you.
Luckily, I had already made plans to go skiing and drink a lot of wine and eat a lot of Polish food. A much better use of my time.