Getting Hitched

Now that we've been able to make some phone calls and visit many friends & family in person, it's safe to say it's official: Doug proposed on December 16th and I ecstatically accepted (although he has a different story that involves having to repeat the question 3 times, since I was so stunned). Other clues that it was a complete surprise: my not-yet-showered and running-clothed appearance. In my defense, I thought we were dog sitting and taking Sadie for a run around Ault Park.

Doug's sister, Katie, was in on the setup and captured these photos from our engagement, from the overlook in the park back to the surprise party at the house. Thanks to everyone who made the day so special!

Things that are awful: Time Warner Cable

How do I hate Time Warner, let me count the ways...

2: the number of physical trips made to the Time Warner store
3: the number of in-person service calls needed to make our basic cable work this year
4: the number of DVR boxes we've been through
5: the number of recorded Top Chef shows I lost when we had our box replaced (again) this week (so much for catching up)
a zillion: the number of minutes it feels like we've been on hold waiting to talk to customer service

Time Warner, you get a decent amount of money from me every month. I'm not asking for anything fancy. I just want my cable to work. I know there are real problems in the world and things I should be much more outraged about besides watching too much television, but I don't care--it's principle now.

My new year's resolution: finding someone who sucks less that Time Warner to service our cable and television needs.

All Boxed Up

Things Napoleon likes to nap in: boxes.

Watching...

Top Chef Season Two on Bravo. There was a marathon of all the shows yesterday, so I'm slowly catching up with tivo.

Cappuccino Biscotti

After the pumpkin brownie letdown, I feel the need to post a recipe that turned out much better: Cooking Light's Cappucino Biscotti. To make them a little fancy, drizzle or dip the ends in white or dark chocolate.

Cappuccino Biscotti
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup sugar
1/3 cup chopped walnuts (I skipped these)
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 teaspoons instant coffee granules
2 teaspoons hot water
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 eggs
1 egg white

Combine first 8 ingredients in a large bowl. Combine coffee granules and hot water in a small bowl. Stir in vanilla and next 2 ingredients, and add to flour mixture, stirring until well-blended. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface, and knead lightly 7 or 8 times. Shape dough into a 16-inch-long roll. Place roll on a baking sheet coated with cooking spray, and flatten roll to 1-inch thickness.

Bake at 325° for 30 minutes. Remove the roll from the baking sheet to a wire rack, and let cool for 10 minutes. Cut the roll diagonally into 30 (1/2-inch) slices, and place, cut sides down, on baking sheet. Bake for 10 minutes. Turn cookies over, and bake an additional 10 minutes (cookies will be slightly soft in center but will harden as they cool). Remove cookies from the baking sheet, and let cool completely on wire rack. Yield: 2 1/2 dozen (serving size: 1 cookie)

Update

...the Fudge Pumpkin Brownies are not exactly brownie-ish. I guess that's what you get when you take most of the fat out of a dessert. A full batch was on hand when family stopped through town last weekend, and the pan was pretty much intact when they left :0)

Keen on Green

Latest Trader Joe's obsession: Matcha Green Tea baking mix. The batter looks like guacamole, but bakes into green deliciousness. I like to use a loaf pan and top slices with cream cheese, unlike the muffins pictured (courtesy of another web baker).

Wanting...

...this Kooba tote featured at SheFinds. Until I visited the site and saw the $625 price tag. This unique talent of unknowingly selecting exorbitantly expensive everyday items is not very useful.