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Thursday, October 18, 2012

That Seems Fair (Word Play!)


For those of you who follow me on FaceTwitterGram, you may have noticed that I went to the Oklahoma State Fair last month with my dearest Sally friend.

Sally and I hadn't been to the fair in years, so we figured it was time to go back so we could partake in fried food/people watching goodness. And we lucked out that Oklahoma decided to turn to Fall and not be 100+ degrees. Thanks, State!

We created a game at the beginning of the night:
"Things That Could Kill You."
It's a really fun game, and I encourage all of you to try it out at least once. The rules are simple, but the rewards are long lasting.
Basically, you just locate any items that could kill you, then you avoid said items, and then you laugh about them. Easy.

So, without further ado, the finalists of TTCKY at the 2012 Oklahoma State Fair:
Grass hill at a 75 degree angle that was covered with cars (Trust me. It was terrifying)
Rusty barb wire separating the cars from the pedestrians
Random wooden spike in the middle of the grass parking section

Those are just the finalists. That list doesn't even include the obvious TTCKY contenders that appear at the fair each year. (For example, the carnival workers, the portable rides, the probable drug dealers, and for long term TTCKY - fried food. Heart disease is no joke)

Also, let's name all of the wonderful State Fair-ish things from this photo:

1) Beautiful, braided rat tail (11:00. Striped shirt)
2) Uber creepy stare from older man (2:00)
3) NASCAR advertisement (above creepy old man)
4) Tube top (behind/beside rat tail)

PS - Funnel cake. The end.

Monday, October 15, 2012

Velma's Cookies



For as long as I can remember, Butter Cookies have been in my mother's baking arsenal.

When I was little, I would use any and all cookie cutters on them. We would make buffalo shaped cookies whenever the Huskers would play Colorado (you know, so we could take a bite of the buffalo when Nebraska would score), pumpkins at Halloween, hearts on Valentine's Day, etc. (I know, I know. We're really original with shapes and their corresponding holidays).
The cookies are simple, yet delicious. I mean, how can you go wrong with butter, sugar, and vanilla mixed together, then baked and topped with buttercream frosting?

Each time we prepared to bake these tasty gems, I would watch my mom pull out the very worn and very loved recipe card that had been written out decades before. My mother got the recipe from her mother who would make them all the time, and my grandmother got the recipe from her friend Velma who lived next door to her in the late 50s/early 60s in Ottumwa, Iowa.
Apparently, my grandma, Georgia, and Velma would go over to each other's houses in the mornings to sip coffee and watch the kids play. They would also lug their irons, ironing boards, and clothes that needed to be ironed to each other's house so they could talk while they ironed. I mean, how cute is that? And in my head, they both wore adorable dresses and pearl necklaces while doing all of those things.

Fast forward a few decades to one night a few months ago when my mom called me to say that she had looked up Velma's information and found out that she still lives near Ottumwa. My mom decided to call Velma to catch up and tell her how much we have loved baking her cookies over all of these years, and they ended up talking for a little over 30 minutes. They've since corresponded via regular mail and phone calls a few times.

Call me over sentimental and over dramatic, but I love thinking about how many people have enjoyed baking and eating those cookies over the years all because of Velma.
According to my mom, Velma got the recipe from her mother, but beyond that we don't know the origins. Seriously, though. I'm guessing that when Velma wrote down the recipe for my grandmother, she wasn't thinking how 50 years from then Georgia's granddaughter would be making them for her friends in a completely different state.

So, thank you, Velma. Your cookies have received much praise and gained many admirers.



Thursday, October 11, 2012

Wish List

I pretty much always have a wish list going on. The lists consist of all items, but I tend to add way too many books, clothes, and kitchen items.
During the fall and winter months, the clothing side of the lists grows quite heavy. I lovelovelove buying layer-able clothing. Who doesn't? (OK, probably many people)

Just give me all the tights and all the scarves. All of them.

I recently added these items to the list (and I'm trying to tell myself that I actually don't like them):
                  


Why do I like those boots so much? I've never purchased a pair of Anthropologie shoes. Have any of you had good luck with them?

Boots and Tights: Anthropologie. Scarf: J. Crew

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

The Dearest of Jennies

So, I have the friend named Jenny. 

(what friends don't pose for pictures on condemned bridges in rural Oklahoma?)

I've mentioned her on this blog before, because she's kind of the greatest. 
We like to have fun and be ridiculous. 
For instance - on one of my trips to DC to visit Miss Jenny, we re-enacted could-be moments from Nicolas Cage movies. (Mainly the National Treasures)
(We had just found a really important clue, but as soon as Jenny tried to grab it, the lion statue started to move due to a trap that Benjamin Franklin placed inside the statue (because he loved lions. And America))

Anyhow, her birthday was on Monday, so I decided to dedicate a post to her today. 
I know what you're thinking: "Umm, if her birthday was on Monday, why are you just now writing a post about her?" 
Well, because I wanted to spread the birthday joy around.

Back to Jenny. 
I've known Jenny for almost 10 years (which is just insane). She introduced me to Cafe Good Stuff, Downton Abbey, and DC. She used to carry a pocket Constitution with her wherever she went. She will always quote Anne of Green Gables, You've Got Mail, and The Devil Wears Prada with me. 
I've visited her in DC three times, met up with her in NYC one time, and we've spent countless hours being ridiculous/chatting/talking/dreaming/all of the above.

Fun fact: Jenny and I pretty much think and do the exact same things at the exact same time. 
Always. 
It never fails. 

It happens with everything. We'll say the same thing at the same time. We both purchased new purple Essie nail polish on the same day without knowing it. 
One time, when on completely separate trips, we both booked the same flight from Houston to OKC. And those examples are just the tip of the iceberg. 

Final picture: shredding on Guitar Hero. Because, duh.
                        



Monday, October 8, 2012

Catching Up

It has officially been over a month since my last blog post. How did September come and go so quickly? 
I really just don't understand.
Do you want to know all of the awesome things I accomplished while I was away from Bloggerville? Perfect, I shall tell you.
First, I vacationed in Croatia with Andy Cohen, then I started up season 2 of my talk show, and then - oh, wait. That's Anderson Cooper. Not me. I always get our lives mixed up. You know, because we're both Vanderbilts.

Anyhow. I have been busy, but not in the same adventurous ways as good ol' Anderson. 

Do you think Anderson watched any of these movies in the past month? 
Psh. Doubt it.

And Anderson only wishes that he got to attend this awesome one-year-old's 1st birthday party.

OK, so Anderson did probably beat me in the "overall awesome" category, but did he really? 
Let's face it, we're probably neck and neck.