Archives For November 30, 1999

Egg Baskets

Ashley Walton —  November 5, 2012 — Leave a comment

This is one of my favorite breakfasts ever. Though it looks fancy and complicated, you’ll be shocked and no longer impressed once I’ve revealed the recipe (that’s how most of my dishes go). It’s so simple, I’m infusing this post with lots of pretty pictures to make it seem more interesting/impressive. Okay, ready? Here’s what you need: 4 ramekins, a roll of Pillsbury croissant dough, and 4 eggs. That’s it. Here’s a visual reference to emphasize the simplicity:

If you don’t have ramekins, you can use a muffin tin. Just put half the dough in each muffin slot and cook for a shorter amount of time.

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A Real New Hope

Ashley Walton —  November 2, 2012 — Leave a comment

So by now, the Star Wars stuff is old news. Disney bought Lucasfilm and they’re gonna make episodes 7, 8, and 9 with episode 7 projected to come out in 2015. I hear a lot of the same things from Star Wars fans– some relieved, some angry, but I thought I’d throw in my two cents (this is the internet, after all).

I’m not gonna lie– I’m excited. I sent texts to brothers and nephews, and I went nuts on Twitter and Facebook during the live conference call. Now let me clarify, my excitement is not naive. I’ve been burned by Star Wars before. I’ll never forget my supreme disappointment when I skipped school to see Episode I in theaters opening day, only to find it was about trade legislation (this was only after I’d bought Episode I action figures, gushed over Darth Maul’s look, and dawned Queen Amidala’s makeup for the opening). I think episodes 1 through 3 are beyond boring, and I think Empire Strikes Back is the only truly well-made Star Wars film, though I love the world with all its creatures and characters.

Having established my scorn, I’m still elated that the baton has been passed and someone else is going to give it a go. Will it suck? Maybe. But looking at Disney’s relationship with Marvel, I have hope for Star Wars yet. And whatever happens, I’m thrilled at the prospect of episodes 7–9, which have only been discussed in hushed tones, and I’m relieved they’re being made by someone other than Lucas. If Lucas were making them, I don’t think I would even see them.

Lucas came up with a wonderful world, and he is one admirable philanthropist– I don’t think anyone should ever let him write or direct. Neither of those things are his strengths, nor his talents (geez, the guy made Natalie Portman look like a bad actor, for crying out loud). I know Lucas has had a hard time coming to terms with his angry fans and trusting his beloved ideas to others, but in the end, selling Lucasfilm is the best thing he could have done for his fans, and it’s the most selfless thing he’s done for his fans in years. I’m optimistic about the future (er, or the past, a long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away).

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Halloween Party Details

Ashley Walton —  October 29, 2012 — 1 Comment

On October 27, 2012 the Nay-Walton household transformed into a creepy crawly Halloween hovel, complete with cobwebs, skulls, pumpkins, and tasteful blood accents for our annual Halloween bash. We made cake pops, taco soup, witches’ brew, bloodbath punch, and friends brought apples with dip, Halloween donuts, pumpkin chocolate chip cookies, and other goodies. We cranked the Oingo Boingo and basked in the company of our delightful friends.

(eyeball cake pops)

(table decorations)

(table detail– the tablecloth was gauze with blood stains)

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Best Halloween Movies

Ashley Walton —  October 25, 2012 — Leave a comment

Here are my picks for best movies to get you in the Halloween spirit. Let me know what you think. Argue. Suggest. Taunt.

10. The Devil’s Backbone

I love Guillermo del Toro with an unrivaled passion. This is probably my second favorite movie of his, after Pan’s Labyrinth. If you haven’t seen this unconventional ghost story, it’s about time. It does have subtitles, so not the best movie for background noise at a party.

9. High Tension

As the title suggests, this film highlights the art of tension-building. I’ve never bitten so many nails.

8. Shaun of the Dead

This is the pinnacle of horror-comedy. Perfect watch for a Halloween party.

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Pumpkin Whoopie Pie Cookies

Ashley Walton —  October 16, 2012 — Leave a comment

If you’re looking for cookies that make you weep with happiness, this is your lucky day. These whoopie pie cookies with a creamy to-die-for pumpkin cream cheese filling will leave you a blubbering wreck. Side note: if you want to avoid people giggling every time you say “whoopie” you can call them sandwich cookies, everything an Oreo wishes it could be in its wildest dreams.

Here’s what you’ll need:

For the cookies:

1 stick unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 cup buttermilk, at room temperature
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
Pinch of kosher salt

For the filling:

5 ounces cream cheese
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
2/3 cup confectioners’ sugar
1/3 cup canned pure pumpkin
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Pinch of salt

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Halloween Sugar Cookies

Ashley Walton —  October 12, 2012 — Leave a comment

After poring over the prolific section of Wally World dedicated to Halloween sugar cookie supplies, I decided on this cookie cutter set (mostly because it comes in a coffin box). I also picked up some blessed pre-made Pillsbury sugar cookie dough, food coloring, and a couple fine-tipped frosting applicators in black and orange.

I make my own frosting (since it’s easy as pie). Just take some powdered sugar, add a touch of vanilla extract, and add a tad of water until it’s the consistency you’d like. Done and done.

This is the result of my second batch. Word of warning: it turns out Pillsbury sugar cookie dough needs quite a bit of flour added to it. My first batch spread out way too thin, making all my cookies turn out as amorphous blobs (which I frosted and promptly ate). I added about a cup of flour to the second batch, and they turned out pretty well.

I can’t wait to make other Halloween treats! I’ve been compiling lists of recipes to try out, and I’d love to hear suggestions!

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Geeky Halloween Decorations

Ashley Walton —  October 4, 2012 — Leave a comment

Halloween is by far my favorite holiday. Right around the middle of September, I start quoting lines from Something Wicket This Way Comes and planning activities for the entire month of October. I love going to haunted houses, baking fall treats, watching horror movies, planning Halloween parties, and most importantly, decorating my apartment. So to start off my Halloween-obsessed posts, here’s a guide to some of the geeky Halloween decorations I’ve found and love. Not for the casual Halloweener.

1. Alien Skull. $9.99. eCrater.

This little gem would make a lovely addition to any end table, mantle, or centerpiece. Buy it here.

2. Zombie Gnome Horde. $55. Etsy.

This would look great on any lawn or porch all year round. Get it here.

3. Haunted Memories Antique Photos. $12.99 and up.

If you’ve ever dreamt of owning some Haunted Mansion-esque creepy photos, now’s your chance. Haunted Memories sells holographic, old-looking photos that appear nice one moment and horrifying the next. I bought some of these babies at a Comic-Con booth last year, and they’re awesome. Their website is a bit of a pain, but browsing the creepy portraits is a lot of fun. Browse them here.

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Sleepwalk with Me: ‘There’s a jackal in the road!’

Ashley Walton —  September 21, 2012 — 1 Comment

This is my kind of comedy. Fair warning: I don’t like a lot of comedies that other, more socially adept people enjoy. When I’m asked to name some of my favorite funny films I might say, Amélie, Being John Malkovitch, or The Cabin in the Woods. Most wouldn’t name any of those as a laugh riot comedy, but hey, to each her own. Sleepwalk with Me takes some of the dark, uncomfortable parts of life and makes them something to laugh at. The star and writer Mike Birbiglia might be likened to a less suicidal-sounding Louis C.K., a man who knows how to make sad humor sound honest, which is why it works. The main character’s narration is at once deeply personal and relatable. It’s also based on true events (and not like how The Exorcism of Emily Rose was based on “true events,” but actually based on personal essays by the writer, which have been featured on NPR’s This American Life).

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Book Talk: Wallflower, Gone Girl, & Blood Engines

Ashley Walton —  September 18, 2012 — Leave a comment

In Book Talk, I recap what I’ve read lately and what I’d recommend to whom. I’m always looking for new books, so I’d love suggestions for what I should read next!

For anyone:

The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

I’m not gonna lie. I’m one of those people who saw the trailer for the upcoming film and thought “Oh no! I’ve gotta read the book before the movie comes out!” But then of course I refused to buy the movie book cover. It’s a book I’d always intented to read but had never gotten around to, and I’m glad I finally did. This book reminded me of The Catcher in the Rye, but with a more innocent narrator. It had some parts that made me feel more alive, and it had other parts that made me deeply sad. It’s one of the best books I’ve read in a while. It’s not just for angsty teenagers.

Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

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Robot & Frank: ‘That thing’s gonna murder me’

Ashley Walton —  September 13, 2012 — 1 Comment

Robot & Frank is set in the near future, when robots can cook your meals, clean your house, and create a garden in your backyard. Frank suffers from memory loss in his older years and receives a robot as a gift to help him with daily tasks.

While I waited for this film to start, I sat in an artsy theater, surrounded by people who were obviously many years my senior, and I wondered if I’d made the right decision in seeing this film. Apparently I’m ageist, but I wondered if I’d be able to relate to the main character enough to enjoy the experience. It turns out I related to him terrifyingly too well.

As someone who fears the loss of tangible media, as well as the thought of robots someday being much smarter than me, I had no problem seeing Frank’s point of view. But as Frank’s mind deteriorates, the robot becomes a sounding board, reflection, and retainer of Frank’s thoughts, fears, and talents. Initially, I was turned off by the film’s tagline: “Friendship doesn’t have an off switch.” But by the end of the film, I had an emotional connection to the robot, too, since it represented an “out” for a crumbling mind, not the actuality of a sentient friend.

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