Hey gang -- going friends only for the New Year b/c I want to maximize my privacy and keep all my posts out of search engines.

If you're not already on my flist and want to keep in touch, comment below. Happy to add you.

Is this cupcake tomfoolery or sheer genius?

Guinness cupcakes

I must find out!

In other news, I thought Elizabeth Rohm looked more beautiful than she ever has last night, and she just sparkled with Simon Baker. Good for her! And God, that man can break my heart. The "I shouldn't be ashamed by this but I am" conversation with Lisbon? And his sad face at the end of the ep, when she offered to let him drive?

I even liked Lisbon last night! She loosened up and teased him! And she was so gentle with him. I had the sense that she'd never tell a soul about what he said to her behind that closed door. Just...guh.

Just got this in my inbox from the Food peeps:

Food Network Studio Tours

A limited number of tours of the Food Network Studios will be offered in December and January. Tours are $20 per person and are 45 minutes. Tickets are available in person at the Food Network Shop at Chelsea Market Baskets or by calling our Studio Tour Ticket Hotline at 646-336-3736. Space is limited to 15 people per tour. Tour dates and times:

Wed., Dec. 17, 10 a.m.
Thurs., Dec. 18, 10 a.m.
Tues., Jan. 6, noon
Wed., Jan. 7, noon
Thurs., Jan. 8, 2 p.m.
Tues., Jan. 13, 2 p.m.
Wed., Jan. 14, 10 a.m.
Thurs., Jan. 15, noon

Sounds like fun! Sorry I can't make it!

Speaking of food, I baked Santa Baby cupcakes for the December babies at work last night. I used this Cake Doctor recipe as a base then added peppermint extract to the icing in place of vanilla. Cut the tip off of a baggie and iced them in simple swirls, then topped them with a starlight mint. :)

And since I had overripe bananas on hand, I baked banana bread and put chocolate chips in it. :snorfle: It was good enough to bake for gifts -- should I use my baby bundt pans? How cute would that be?!

Ha! TV Squad weighs in on Ghost Whisperer's latest plot twist.

Which reminds me, damnskippytoo, thank you so much for the DVD! You rock my socks. I owe ya, girl. :D

So, what I want to know is, why didn't they actually show a fight on NCIS last night? Wouldn't that have been hot and drrty? Gibbs, cool on the sidelines. Tony, simultaneously worried about his Gucci loafers and surging toward the action. Ziva, mocking and weighing the competition.

McGee's too polite to say anything, but his eyes flare and lock on the action. Abby's the only one who's honest -- she'd pay to see the right match.

As for The Mentalist, I don't like that Tunney girl, so when she sorta flirted with Jane at the beginning of the ep, it fell flat for me. Best scene was Jane sticking his tongue out to taste raindrops. Put that up against his, "I'll kill Red John" speech and...oooh. :shivers:

I just love this icon. Lookit that innocent smile! :smooches Baby Scully:

In other news, despite walking 8 hours a day all over Europe, I still gained weight -- thanks, schnitzel and beer! These jeans are so tight I look like 10 pounds of potatoes in a 5-pound bag.

I can't believe my holiday is over. Work is the Same As It Ever Was. Luckily, the girls and I are heading up to Moe's for lunch. Welcome to Moe's!

I watched Roxanne last night to perk myself up for coming back to the office. How many ways can I say that I love that movie? It still makes me LMAO, especially the scene where Steve Martin gets the ladies in the park to run over to Roxanne's house b/c there's an alien who wants to make love to older women. "And I quote, Because they really *know* what they're doing." My other favorite line from that scene? "What day is it?" "Friday. Dallas is on."

And here's some Dave to perk up my day, and yours, too. :)

Man, this is the most time I've had online in months. I love catching up with my flist. I've missed you guys!




Another fun meme, gakked from lovinlorne:

‘Mentalist’ Is a Hit, but Who Can See Into Its Future?

Heller, the creator, seems like an interesting guy. I like that he's openly learning how to work the prime time formula, without profanity and sandals. ;)

Finally caught up on the eps I missed while away. I was wondering what made Jane crack...and now I know at least one thing. That fake psychic (or was she real?) rattled him more than anyone I've ever seen. A rattled Jane is an interesting Jane. I like his sly, seductive, innocent, experienced, expert-in-everything self -- especially in those three-piece suits. But a vulnerable Jane makes me *drool*.

Meme courtesy of anxietygrrl



( questions/answers behind the cut )

Happy Thanksgiving, flist! Hope it's warm and yummy. :mwah:

On the eve of traveling home, 10 things I love about Europe, in no particular order:

1. Cappucino served with a small glass of water on the side
2. Czech breakfasts, especially the salad with fresh, organic peppers, beets, leeks, parsley
3. European yogurt
4. Street cars (well, all types of public transpo)
5. European architecture, mod and traditional
6. Statues of historical dudes in every village and city


7. Churches with painted ceilings (that's from Karlskirche in Vienna)
8. Classical music, beautifully and emotionally performed
9. Hot, black tea with milk
10. The magic words, "mit schlag"

Okay, well 11: Czech hot chocolate

It's bitter, wet cold here in Vienna today. We'd planned on going to see the Klimt exhibit after hearing the lushly beautiful St. Cecilia Mass (by Gounod) at St. Augustin church, but were chased back to the pension by the bitter-cold breezes. Even the Austrians were surprised by the snow yesterday and have brought out their enormous fur hats, coats and boots. We southerners don't stand a chance. ;)

Also, we say a Maybach 62 while we were having coffee at the Grand Hotel Vien. Holy cats! :cargasm:

OMG, my feet are *killing* me. But hello, Vienna, it's nice to meet you.

We made it into town via the Student Agency bus -- cheap tix and a really great ride, complete with movie, radio, magazines and free hot drinks. Caught the S line over to the pensione, near the Belvedere castle. It's a nice place, very homey, with old-fashioned furniture and chintz curtains and breakfast included in the price.

Took a looooong walk down past the castle, around the embassy area and back through the residential area behind the embassies. Found a little local cafe and since I have no German and The Boy's is rusty, we just closed our eyes and pointed at the menu. ;) As luck would have it (or the angels of gastronomy) everything was delicious, from the appetizer of cold beef with pickled onions and pea shoots, to chicken with curry risotto, to a cooling orange mousse/starfruit ice cream/fig jam dessert. Pictures to come when we get home to our firewire.

Now this is my kind of horoscope:

The Mystic Astrology Wizard says: Close one of your eyes. Tap your forehead three times with the palm of your left hand. Think of a sexy image. Lick your lips and whisper the words "Love Whisperer." Insert your middle finger in the "Delight-O-Meter" slot. Keep your finger there until the "Passion Lamp" turns on. Flash. Flash. Flash. Thank you. Your evaluation appears below:

*Your libido has been a bit off-course, semi-absorbed in unfruitful or irrelevant distractions. But now it's realigning itself with the central dream themes of your life. Prepare to experience a truer juiciness.*

Ha! Thanks, Rob Brezsny!

***

( Dear diary... )

Today we went to two castles, located about 40 minutes from here, in Moravian wine country.

( Deets behind the cut )

Hello from Brno, where we're on the first leg of our European vacation. ;)

Brno (could I buy a vowel, Pat?) is an interesting post-communist place. We got stopped at the border for a random passport check but other than that haven't seen any polezia. We did see an old-fashioned hunting club in the fields, about a dozen guys on foot with their dogs, literally beating the bushes for birds.

Tomorrow's a national holiday, and everything is closed, so we're going to the nearest castle for a walk. We may also go to the gothic church, St. Peter and Paul, to explore. Why am I suddenly thinking of Angelus? :snorfle:

OMG. That was just.... :hearts: That was like MY SHOW! So many things to love.... Must watch again.

What did y'all think?!

:bouncity bounce:

Edited to add the direct link!

So wrong. So very, very wrong.

:giggles:

(Thanks, skywardprodigal!)

So, is anyone digging Simon Baker as Patrick Jane as much as I am? Guh. After last night's ep I'm wondering...what would make Jane crack? He's so contained in every situation, even (especially) the most awkward. His understanding of human nature is so deep he does end up looking psychic. And so far no one's behavior has shocked, surprised or even ruffled him.

So...what (or who) would make him crack?

And NCIS! OMG. Firing on all cylinders, yo. As for next week, no way in heck are they letting Abby get arrested. Nuh uh, no how, Gibbs ain't going there.