Eat Your Wheaties!

WE DID IT AGAIN!

I love being a Red Sox fan!

Sorry to break the news, Raine...

Imagine the sweat dripping off his face when he popped the question.

From Boston Globe:
Youk gets a 'yes'; charity party is a hit:
Congrats to Kevin Youkilis, who's engaged to girlfriend Enza Sambataro (inset). The Sox first baseman popped the question a few weeks ago, but the pair haven't set a date yet. "We haven't had a free moment to think about where or when," Sambataro told us yesterday. "It'll have to be next off-season, because this off-season would be too difficult."

Looks like you've got a year to break it up.

Gobble Gobble

Yes, indeed, Raine. Turkeys are taking over Boston. That must be a good omen for Tech on Thursday night.

By the way, when I first looked at this picture, I thought the turkey was walking with a cane, and I said "Sweet, a pimpin' turkey!" Then I realized it's just a crack in the sidewalk. Damn.

Millar Rally Cry

I grew pretty tired of Kevin Millar when he was here, but he was always a good Red Sock, and he loved the team and the town. Sure, he's a little sad, a little Al Bundy-ish (Polk High football rules!), dying to come back to Boston and relive his glory days, but did anyone else get pumped up last night when Fox played this promo before the game?

"Come on, Red Sox fans, don't give up now. You gonna jump off the Tobin Bridge? You're only down 3-1. We were down 0-3 and down in Game 4 in the ninth inning, when I had to draw a walk, they pulled my fat butt in there, put Dave Roberts in to steal, and then BOOM we're the World Series champions. So get out there, support your Sox. You got Papi, you got Manny, you got Big Beckett, you got Schilling hanging his bloody sock. You never know what's going to happen right now, but go out there and support them, and it's time to cowboy up!"

Sure, Fox may be a little biased, pulling for the Red Sox for market and broadcasting considerations, but shouldn't they have to cater to us after repeatedly subjecting us to Tim McCarver ripping Manny?

Get Your Rally Socks Ready!

Heard this on the radio this morning:

The Indians and Rockies and every other team under the sun have their rally towels, but here's a good idea for Fenway (and everyone else at home) on Saturday night . Wave a bloody sock. You remember what happened last time Big Schill (Bev's Favorite) pitched a Game 6? Maybe this would make the atmosphere at Fenway that much more electric. Obviously, it doesn't have to be actual blood, but get creative...ink, cranberry juice, daiquiri. Stain the side of that sock red and cheer like there's no tomorrow. If Schill can find a way to come through again in a big game, there's no way...repeat, NO WAY...our Sox would lose a Game 7 at Fenway.

LET'S-GO-RED-SOX!

Funny FedEx/Kinko's Commercial

Raine, is this what your office is like?

Are You a Stetson Man?

It looks like our Golden Boy is at it again. Tom Brady has replaced Matthew McConaughey as the Stetson poster boy. I'm beginning to think that maybe -- just maybe -- Gisele is influencing Tom. How are we supposed to make fun of Peyton Manning for pimping himself out when Tom's posing for every advertisement under the sun? Oh well, as long as he keeps throwing TDs, he's free to pose with goats or go all Brokeback.

All of you ladies and fellow man-crushers can download wallpaper of these shots at Stetson's website. You have to check out this blog post, too, which analyzes the evolution of Tom Brady's hair. Funny stuff, especially the "Frat Boy" and the "Adult Virgin". I'm personally a big fan of the "Offshore Fishermen" and the "Military Grunt", though I'm sure Bev would beg to differ. And on a related side note, what are the chances that this goat later became Tom's Stetson jacket?

RAISE YOUR HANDS...

If you're ready for the ALCS!

LET'S-GO-RED-SOX!

GET EXCITED

It's Soxtober!!

Pat-a-cake, Pat-a-cake

If anyone out there has a hankerin' for cake, this is the one to try. I made this cake for Price's birthday in August and it was great! It's a 2-layer cake and takes some effort and close attention to the directions, but it's well worth it in the end. It takes some time to bring all the ingredients to room temperature, so bear that in mind. Let me know if you give it a try :)

Coconut Cake

Ingredients:
3/4 pound (3 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature, plus more for greasing the pans
2 cups sugar
5 extra-large eggs, at room temperature
1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 1/2 teaspoons pure almond extract
3 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting the pans
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 cup milk
4 ounces sweetened shredded coconut

For the frosting:
1 pound cream cheese, at room temperature
1/2 pound (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
3/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon pure almond extract
1 pound confectioners' sugar, sifted
6 ounces sweetened shredded coconut

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease 2 (9-inch) round cake pans, then line them parchment paper. Grease them again and dust lightly with flour.

In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream the butter and sugar on medium-high speed for 3 to 5 minutes, until light yellow and fluffy. Crack the eggs into a small bowl. With the mixer on medium speed, add the eggs 1 at a time, scraping down the bowl once during mixing. Add the vanilla and almond extracts and mix well. The mixture might look curdled; don't be concerned.

In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. With the mixer on low speed, alternately add the dry ingredients and the milk to the batter in 3 parts, beginning and ending with dry ingredients. Mix until just combined. Fold in the 4 ounces of coconut with a rubber spatula.

Pour the batter evenly into the 2 pans and smooth the top with a knife. Bake in the center of the oven for 45 to 55 minutes, until the tops are browned and a cake tester comes out clean. Cool on a baking rack for 30 minutes, then turn the cakes out onto a baking rack to finish cooling.
For the frosting, in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, combine the cream cheese, butter, vanilla and almond extract on low speed. Add the confectioners' sugar and mix until just smooth (don't whip!).

To assemble, place 1 layer on a flat serving plate, top side down, and spread with frosting. Place the second layer on top, top side up, and frost the top and sides. To decorate the cake, sprinkle the top with coconut and lightly press more coconut onto the sides. Serve at room temperature.

*recipe come from Ina Garten, the Barefoot Contessa

prep time: 35 minutes
inactive prep time: 30 minutes
cook time: 50 minutes
yields: 10-12 servings