Trader Joe's Fails Me

Before I even begin, I must say that I have been fiercely loyal to Trader Joe's. And I always will be. Trader Joe's is not only the most wonderful grocery store (not just in New York, but just about anywhere), it has the friendliest staff, best prices, and best selection of products. Plus, all the store clerks are cute, and will often compliment you on your glasses or t-shirt.

When I go to Trader Joe's, I must stick to my shopping list or things get out of hand. (I am a marketing agency's ideal client and have been known to cave at flavored coffee creamer, unusual ice cream treats, or birthday cakes when it's nobody's birthday.)

I also love junk food and things that are already prepared. I love to cook, but I love to be lazy.

So when I saw this, I got excited and figured it was worth the $1.99 splurge.

Ready in 2 minutes with the help of a microwave. Here's how it looked after I opened it:

The package isn't even halfway full? Why did I think the noodles would expand? I was bummed. If this is punishment for veering off my list, then the lesson is learned.

Good things come in small packages, unless the cute little noodle cart to-go package is less than halfway full. Better things are made from scratch, in larger portions.

I'll still wait in a ridiculously long line that wraps through every aisle in the store, and will continue to endure the vicious old ladies from the Upper East Side plowing through the herd with their shopping carts. I will stay loyal when I'm trapped behind a girl from NYU fighting with her boyfriend on her cell phone- even when the shelves are empty, again.

But I will think twice the next time I'm tempted by the delectable salads and tarte d'alsace and mini quiches, all ready to go with an oven nearby. And I will definitely pay more attention to the fine print at the top- Vegan. Double fail.

(Head in hand.)

The Un-Root Beer Float

I'm so glad the South taught us that ice cream and fizzy drinks go well together (thank you, coke floats). I thought I had another root beer in the fridge and an orange soda had crept its way into the cardboard six pack holder- someone did a switcheroo at the store and I didn't notice.

I used it anyway and hoped for a creamsicle-inspired, new, amazing, accidental dessert.

The verdict? Can not replace the root beer float, but pretty darn good. Just don't use diet soda. Ever.

I'm more upset about that than about being one root beer short.

A Conversation with Sammy

Sammy doesn't have to say anything to me. I can tell exactly what he wants by the look on his face.

If I can catch him holding still for long enough.

Can I go in your room?

Okay.

Can I jump on your bed?

No.

Please?

No.

Please, please, please? Puh-leeeeez???

Well ... okay. But don't get too comfortable.

Save that Bread!

Ever buy too much bread? Does it go stale on you before you can say Jack Robinson?

I ran into the same problem this week. Before you throw it out or feed it to the birds, here are some tips.

Croutons for salad. Toss with a little oil, salt and any other seasonings you'd like (I like a dash of garlic powder). Toast in a frying pan, or on a cookie sheet in the oven (but SET A TIMER if you do). They will last over a week when sealed properly and your dinner guests will be impressed.

Make panzanella. This is one of my favorite things. It's an Italian bread salad with lots of added "stuff." Add anything you like. I like olives, capers, roasted tomatoes and tossed in olive oil and balsamic vinegar. It's a creative alternative to pasta salad and works well for picnic season.

Hint, it tastes best when the bread is actually a bit stale, so it can really soak up the vinaigrette without turning to mush. But no one has to know the bread isn't perfectly fresh.

If you've still got too much bread, stock up on breadcrumbs (need to be toasted and dried out first so they don't get moldy). Then if there's anything left, give the birds a snack.

Dry Season

I'm thinking about Scotch tonight. Just a little bit.

I thought about it a lot a couple weeks ago when a friend and I enjoyed this:

If you're not super comfortable with the smokey peat flavors, this one is very smooth. I call it a good gateway Scotch.


I would not, however, recommend drinking it all at once. It's meant to be sipped and savored.


And that's not really what my friend and I did.


When you drink an entire bottle of Scotch in one night, a couple things go through your head:


Wow, I'm awesome! This is going to give me some street cred with the heavyweights.


Uhhhh, exactly when did I become a heavyweight?


Because so much of being a twenty-something in New York involves drinking, sometimes you don't even realize how much you're doing it.


When things get a bit stuffy, you open the windows and clear the air. So since Easter, I've been taking a little break from drinking, a reverse Lent, if you will, to try to make up for the fact that I had a million glasses of Scotch with no hangover the next day (thank you, roast chicken dinner).


Honestly? I've barely even noticed. Except tonight, when my new dog, Sammy, is at home while I'm away at my computer, I thought, gee, a little glass of Scotch later sounds good.


Naaah, I'm saving money by staying dry at the moment.


It's always nice to take a little breather from indulgences. And there's that old adage that if you let go of something you love, it will come back to you if it was meant to be. Or you can replace it with a new love.

In the meantime, I'm getting drunk from doggie kisses and walks in the park.

Sammy Gets Bailed

I'm back! Got a little distracted this weekend with the new critter to look after. Here's the special guy on Friday afternoon after I picked him up:

He looks a bit stunned there, but he managed to make himself right at home later that night:

You can see him on the couch trying to hide from my roommate- he knows he's not supposed to be on the couch!

I think Sammy's first weekend was an overwhelming, but great intro in what life will be like with two Brooklyn girls. One of the first things a Brooklyn dog should have is an awesome toy- this was a gift from my boss:

Sammy wasn't sure what to do with it at first- little orphan dogs aren't used to having toys!

Let me give you a list of what Sammy's been up to the past 48 hours:

-got a sweet new collar and leash

-went to 3 dog parks- played hard with a dozen dogs in one, got muddy with 2 dogs in another

-had 2 baths

-walked across the Williamsburg Bridge

-discovered the Lower East Side and had first visit to Manhattan (as far as we know)

-went to first cupcake bakery, the famed Sugar Sweet Sunshine

-met 5 puppies

-met zillions of dogs and their owners

-met the landlord

-had first piece of cheese

-survived first night home alone while mom was at a metal show

-figured out how to break into mom's room while home alone while mom was at a metal show

-devoured a bag of cheese doodles in mom's room while home alone

-napped with Auntie Bessie

-got a quick drink from the toilet (luckily, he didn't seem that into it)

Here are some more pics:

Big Week, Big News

After years of wishing, hoping and praying (and some practice being an adult with only ONE address for more than two seconds), the day has come. I'm getting a dog. In three hours.

It is a pretty simple story. I started volunteering at Brooklyn Animal Rescue Coalition a couple months ago. I fell in love. We all could have predicted that one, right?

The special guy is named Sammy, a handsome melange of boxer, pit, and millions of other doggies fused into a sweet, goofy, laid back dude. On our first walk together, he leaned his head against my leg every time we stopped to cross the street- and that was it for me.

This is my first dog- mine, not my brother's or my dad's or my mom's or my friend's boyfriend's. This is going to be mine. And I'm nervous.

I've been taking care of dogs for a while now. And kids (who I find to be easier). But having this guy as my first dependant is huge. Will I be a good mom? Will he adjust well? Will I be able to give him the life he deserves- and an opportunity to chase bunnies in an open pasture someday? Will he love me as much as I love him, or just find me really clingy and annoying?

And I have one other nagging question in my head- after years of patience, why are the minutes all of a sudden dragging so, so slowly?!

Pics to follow, if the next two hours and fifty minutes ever come.