Holibakes with My Brother

Last year someone asked my brother about how he and I got along while growing up. Things that come to my mind are: kicking a technicolored soccer ball between the power lines hanging above our treehouse, being chased around the living room, me forcing him to put on plays in our basement, making box forts, tree climbing, luging down the street via wagon, and making pancakes. Pancakes was a consistent thing. Matt and I used to make pancakes together every weekend. We put our aprons on over the Scooby-Doo tee shirts and tighty whities we wore to bed, then pulled a chair up to the stove and flipped incredibly sugary pancakes (see note about sugar in last post.) When responding to the "getting along" question, my brother said that I wasn't really around that much. The things that brought us together faded away at some point when I was in middle school: the time when only theatre and Xanga ran my life. It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. But when he said that I wasn't around, I realized that we basically ignored each other from middle school onward. At times he told me stories and I would get a glimpse of his life, but for the most part I had no idea who he had grown into.

Matt and I had two spontaneous baking sessions this Christmas. The first was for the dogs, the second was for the Falas. We know lots of dogs, so we made over three hundred of these yam based cookies. If they had more sugar I'd eat them on the reg.

This broke the spoon

We used the tiny cookie cutters we won in last year's Christmas crackers.

The most wond-arf-ul time of the year

I had been thinking about making some type of buche de noel to serve on Christmas at our house, but a few days before Christmas Eve Matt told me he was looking up recipes but couldn't find anything he liked, and I immediately showed him my winter pins. He liked the ginger bread cookie tree recipe on Martha, so we made it together. Do not do this recipe if you don't have the right cookie cutters. We retroed it using bottoms of glasses and bowls to create different sized circles then played the game of trying to stack the different sized pieces so that there is space between levels of "branches" all while creating a cone shaped tree. We used halved Dots covered in icing (to look like mini cupcakes) to decorate the tree. It survived the car ride to Uncle Mark's for the seven fish dinner without it falling apart. I don't know if anyone else ate it except for me and Matt. I liked it though.

I Do Believe In Spooks

As the ghoulish, Saintly, and Dead(ly) celebrations wind down, tech for Oz fires up. I'm not called in until 6 tonight so I'm on the internet reflecting.

Like me, my parents don't possess too many Halloween decorations. Our house is more on the side of subtly spooky. 

Our two favorite ghoulies:

Witchypoo

She is also sometimes called Witchypoo

Now onto subtleties. 

I saw a black twiggy snakey wreath on pinterest and my mom really liked it, so she ordered this 18" Grapevine Wreath by Ashland® from Michaels. It took two small cans of black Krylon to paint the front of the wreath and the additional sticks I picked from the half dead red cedar trees on the edge of the woods in my backyard that I added to make it creepy. Snakes were discussed, but not needed. 

The extra cedar branches I picked made a great backdrop to this newly acquired Dicken's Village house. My Mom Mom collected these houses, and when she moved she offered some of them up, so my mom took Miss Havisham's house. These houses are usually out for a snow covered Christmas scene, but this one is perfect for Ween. Anyway, I purchased a foam block and some Ashland® Value Pack Spanish Moss-24oz from Michaels (at this point the store was decked out for Christmas why America) and went to work. Spooky dead trees are easy. Simply cover the foam block with Spanish moss, either gluing it or wiring it down (I wired it because I couldn't find the hot glue gun,) then stab the branches into the foam. Spray with that leftover Krylon and put it somewhere. 

I'm not really into that thick spiderweb look, so for Halloween I like to either stop cleaning (not an option here) or thinly spread the cotton webs that have been in a bag in the basement since idk. 

This skeleton is a favorite. He came to college with me, but now he hangs out here, like me. My mom and I purchased these pumpkins from Produce Junction on my first of (as of 11/2) four trips to obtain gourds this season, and she arranged them in this cage on a tray. Both of these were purchased at separate Southern Living parties back when I was wearing Quicksilver and people still had Southern Living parties. Skeleton man took his throne and I surrounded the cage with tea candles to give the scene some creepy uplight in the dark. What's great about this kind of Halloween decorating is that when once it's November 3rd we can put Mr. Bones away and it's magically a Thanksgiving decoration. Amazing.

Speaking of transitional decorating I would like to discuss this candle situation. My mom purchased a hurricane vase at a Southern Living party, and at some point this summer she decided to put rocks in it with a green candle. I almost put it all away when we were decorating, but then I thought, "Wait. There must be away to make this creepy." Back when I was gathering sticks for the wreath I cut a few vines "just in case." I had a case. I coiled it into the vase around the candle and put a spider in there. Summer->All Hallows.

Here's something kind of tacky that I did. I clipped some purple and yellow mums from the front yard and put them in this vase that lives inside a Southern Living wrought iron orchid planter votive that was given to me for my First Holy Communion. I covered the votive in some of that cotton spiderweb web. It needed moar. Or did it? I had this gold scorpion that was attached to a gold bead necklace I bought for one of last year's Halloween costumes and I knew I had to sneak it into the flowers. It's creepy because it's tacky but also because why is there a scorpion in there?

A fun alternative to answering the door every two minutes is sitting outside by some fires with wine and candy. 

Always do the best you can.

Southern Living tally: IIII

Also I found the hot glue gun.

Doing the Best I Can

For the first time in seven years I am home with Mom, Dad, Matt, and Rex for fall (because of jaw surgery and a contract at the Walnut,) which means my baking and decorating adventures will be a little more grounded and maybe partially funded by my parents, but we'll see. On the first day of autumn I whipped out my seven halloween decorations and two Frankenstein's Monster mugs and started playing Ella and Louis and The Nightmare Before Christmas. One of my favorite quotes is Oogie Boogie's response to Santa's, "Well, what are you going to do?" which is, "I'm gonna do the best I can." I've had "Make an inspirational poster of 'I'm gonna do the best I can'" in my reminders app for idk how long, and a few weeks ago I finally decided to do something about it. The result was some downloaded text and a half hour on Photoshop, and the design ended up on Instagram. But yesterday I decided I would make a tangible decoration based on my graphic. Michael's sells these small mounted burlap panels in that section with their steam punk looking things. Perfect.

My instinct was to make my own graphite paper, press the my design onto the burlap, then paint on top of the sketch. I printed out the design, scribbled on the back of the paper with a pencil, taped it to the panel, and traced the letters.

Oh no this type of transfer doesn't work with burlap. 

Instead I decided to punch through the paper with a sharpie at the points of the text then play connect the dots on the burlap.

Tape your text to the burlap and don't do drugs

Punch some holes to make marks on the fabric beneath, lift paper, then play connect the dots.
Kindergarten should have prepared you for this. Do the best you can. 

I don't know where I'm going to display this, but I'm tempted to keep it out all year. I made this scarecrow at my third grade Halloween party and he comes out every year. He's supposed to sit on the end of a shelf and let his jingle bell feet dangle, but that sounds dangerous and I don't trust. On November 1st I turn him to the side to hide the jack-o-lantern patch so I can keep him out through Thanksgiving.

Eating a Sandwich and a Snack

Most of the Hotel Jacaranda looks like this. I put on my bathing suit and pretended like I was going to go in the pool outside but it was too cold. There was nothing to do in town and the only place with wifi was the lobby so I had to do things like read and run. On the weekends, the quasi abandoned building is filled with people who come out of nowhere for brunch. There's a piano player, crackers, and a dessert spread I wouldn't let myself touch.

 This is the Burrito Gallery Downtown in Jacksonville. The nachos flowed.

We were in middle of nowhere Clewiston, Florida for so long. Meredith and I looked for the allusive Lake Okeechobee trail, and we eventually ended up at the Clewiston Museum watching videos about oranges and sugar. It was actually fascinating. There used to be a beauty contest down here. One of the winners was photographed on a mountain of sugar. Anyway we went to Hawaiian Ice.

The atmosphere in Poogan’s Smokehouse in Charleston, SC is like that of a home designed by Chip and Joanna. Mm. Here's my tomato and cucumber salad and potato salad.

Savannah’s Candy Kitchen gives out free pralines and fudge samples. In this world there is always free fudge and I always take too much sorry. Just outside of this candy/ice cream shop was a huge outdoor market which featured paintings of scenic Charleston, jewelry, woven palm baskets, cheese plates made of wine bottles, and oils. 

In this town resides a giant Abraham Lincoln head, a swing tree branch, and houses I want to buy. I won't post pictures you just have to find them. 

The Answer Brew Pub has games and these foods.

I'm really sorry for getting this unforgettable veggie burger at Farm Burger. I feel like I should have gotten meat as much as possible while in Asheville because everything is organic, but veggie burgers are so good.

The Jackson Underground Cafe is actually underground and kind of secret. 

See nature in Asheville. The front desk person gave me a map and told me about a number of nearby trails I could visit.

The Battery Park Book Exchange sells biscotti and booze and books. Of the three I got the latter. I found a book about World War II with period newspaper articles taped inside. My favorite author loves World War II, and the newspaper clippings were so cool, so I had to buy it.

French Broad Chocolate Lounge looks like it has a small library inside, but actually it's just shelves of chocolate wrapped in beautiful paper. I got this ice cream. 

Almost immediately after getting ice cream, Sarah and I went to Tupelo Honey Cafe to eat more. Not pictured: our awesome server Darien and pecan pie. 

The Taco Project in Tarrytown, NY was where I decided that tacos are too small.

Cash only warning. We waited outside the very small Daily Catch in Boston's North End for about twenty minutes. Once we were in the food came fast. My black noodles were made of squid ink, and I watched the meal preparation! The entire restaurant (kitchen in included) is about the size of my living room (my parents' living room.)

My Emerson friends recommended Trident Cafe for food and books. My avocado smoothie was like ice cream. Sometimes I'm suspicious that the smoothies I order are actually ice cream. 

I got this Kale Mango smoothie between shows at Muddy Waters in Burlington, VT.The art, wood beams, and cookies will make you stay forever.

Visiting the dead

The reason I only got a smoothie between shows was because we all went to Ben & Jerry’s for a tour of the ice cream factory and the biggest free sample of ice cream I've ever had. I was expecting just a spoonful of brownie batter ice cream but I got a full scoop in a cup. Meredith's birthday wish was for the six of us to share a Vermonster, but we didn't do that. We did get to try the exclusive Maple flavor only served in Vermont. 

We made our way to Penn State's Ye Olde College Diner where I got a cup of chili. You must get their stickies. I didn't eat a lot for lunch because we planned to go to The Creamery for dessert. It was exciting to eat the ice cream that inspired Ben & Jerry. They don't mix flavors at Penn State. 

This is The Tavern on the Square in New Wilmington. You must get their sticky buns.

The Holiday Inn Express New Castle is amazing. Nightly 25¢ cocktails with soup and Chexmix plus two enormous French chocolates on the pillows and a bag full of candy?? And fruit in the lobby?

Tío Juan’s Margaritas in Salem NH had a paint and drink wine class. I didn't do that but I did get food here two nights in a row.

Real quick, if you're in New London, CT go to the beach. It is filled with little domed pink seashells. There is also a little light house that looks like a square colonial building just off shore. While you're there, drive through the Eugene O'Neil Theatre Center. It's so quaint, and you feel the magic.

We had a three show day in Brooklyn. With a day off and the end of contract quickly approaching we went to Bohemian Hall & Beer Garden in Astoria where I willingly ordered beer again (Purple Haze.)

There we were at Sweet Jane's Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt. I'm always going to get pistachio and sprinkles.

Five months and many nachos later I unpacked my suitcase and sat on my parents porch with a bowl of my dad's chili. I'd like to give a shout out to Tropical Smoothie Cafe for being my go-to smoothie place throughout tour, and my cast's love for adventure and melted cheese. 

Makin' My Way Down South

My mom came to see the show when we were back in New York! We made our way to Cognac for some French things. I’m very glad the server forced the cheese on us. This is one of the poofiest desserts I’ve had. It’s an edible plush on top of melted ice cream. 

I stood in line for a very long time at Vanilla Bean Café in Pomfret, CT because literally everything was appetizing. This is rare since I don't eat pork or seafood. A regular came in and told me I have to get chili. I say that everyone knows that when I’m missing home even just a little bit I order a cup of chili and I mean it. She knew. Upon her request I ordered a cup of chili with my sandwich. My dad’s chili will always be my favorite, but this comes in second. This place understands that chili isn’t soup. Surprisingly I never had chili with nachos before this day. The scallions are something I know I’ll be adding to my future chili crafting attempts. Spouts are one of my favorite things, so this on top of avocados made it the obvious choice for my post-show eats. 

So we’re in Baltimore going to a preseason baseball game seeing two of the cast members’ home teams, and before going to the field for black and orange dip n’ dots a few of us went to the Wharf Rat for drinks. They were the first place we found that served food with their drinks. Amazing. I got a portobello burger with Stella. I like this beer <-a rare sentence. The table is embedded with coins and the bathroom is covered in vibrant graffiti. I bought gold sharpies last August and this is one of the occasions I wish I was in possession of my backpack filled with everything, but no one wants a backpack in a bar (I’ve done this.) The Union Jack was everywhere and I know Pop Pop would not approve. 

Two very important things happened on April 11, 2016. The first was what the creation of Meredith’s nickname, and the second was the feeling I got after finishing my egg and spinach sharp provolone hoagie. Meredith was asked to spell her name when giving her order. What was yelled at the time her order was ready was “Mertha.” Her receipt read “Mertha.” Meredith was now Mertha. It was a joy to be a part of my fellow cast members’ first Philly cheesesteak experience. One of the happiest moments in my life was the hour surrounding the consumption of my Tony Luke’s hoagie.

Our one night in Savannah started with "I'm not drinking tonight" and me ordering a clementine chill at Moon River. I also had a spinach salad and some potatoes. My cast said they would share them with me but it was actually a trick to get me to eat a lot of potatoes. The cider helped me finish them all. I didn't think I was going to try mead on this night but we ended up at Savannah Bee Company where I had a tasting, ate a honeycomb with brie and apple, and bought some grill honey for my dad. We walked down to 

River Street Sweets and tasted pralines and more. It was surprisingly chilly that night, so we warmed ourselves by the fire at Rocks on Roof. I was drinking a coffee du monde and sharing stories and knowledge about New York with our waiter who was getting ready to go to a rave in Brooklyn. A couple from Florida sat across from us and was fascinated with our lifestyle and journey. Sometimes I forget that I'm working when I'm on tour.

Here's Sarah talking to the keyboardist. She's going to get so mad at me.

The live music journey continued at Tree House. I was ready to sleep but stayed awake by dancing with Meredith and ordering more shots. I purposely threw away the receipts from this bar because I don't want to know. 

In preparation for our inevitable beach trip in Florida we all went to Paradise Nail and Spa and got pedicures. This was a first for me and Zach. There are pictures of this event but I feel weird about posting them because there are people out there who get too rowdy about feet and then make comments I do not like.

I don't have a picture of the house salad i got at Ruby's Diner in Tallahassee but I wanted to mention it because it had a small town feel to it. It felt like Gilmore Girls but in Florida.

Our hotel in Kissimmee was right next to The Paddling Center at Shingle Creek

We went to Disney World and Universal Studios. I was too absorbed in talking paintings and fast passes to really think about documenting anything but here are my dining suggestions from this experience:

For din din, Raglan Road is in Downtown Disney. Sit outside for live Irish music and dancing.

I didn't drink around the world at Epcot but once the sun went down I went to Joffrey’s for a Baileys Frozen Chai Latte. I was persuaded by the barista to make it a double.

Morocco as a new restaurant: Spice Road Table. This has the best hummus and cheeses, and it's right on the water.

Once you get to Universal go straight to Diagon Alley and get in line at Gringots. Once you've taken care of that do whatever, but also go to the Leaky Cauldron for Pumpkin Juice and the Cottage Pie Platter.

Hop on the Hogwarts Express and get your ass to class. Once you exit Hogwarts and explore Hogsmeade get some Butterbeer and the Cornish Pasti Platter at Three Broomsticks.