Guest Blogger Ruth Is Here With A Summer Panini Success

Panini Mania for SUMMER 2013!

Okay. So we wanted to do a LOW calorie, delicious, nutritious and did I mention….SIZZLING grilling masterpiece. A gorgeous Panini. With grill lines and golden brown crustiness that crunches and melts in your mouth.

So we took the Ciabatinni Rolls from Trader Joe’s. Then, also from TJ’s, we bought the Sliced Roast Beef, Havarti Carroway cheese, shredded cabbage, organic carrots and zucchini, Cilantro dressing & garlic aioli mustard.

And, wait for it….here’s what we did:

We built this Panini!

First, we sliced the Ciabatinni rolls in half.

Slathered with Garlic Aioli mustard, both sides.

On the left side, we added a couple, few slices of roast beef.

Then we added the slaw (please see below).

Topped off with one layer of thick slices of carroway havarti.

And placed top of roll on top! (Where it belongs, kiddos)

Slaw:

Shredded cabbage from TJ’s

Peeled and grated carrots from TJ’s

Peeled (only partially) and grated zucchini

Salt (Pink Himalayan), Rainbow Pepper (both TJ’s)

Toss and add the Cilantro dressing

NOW, place the paninis in a heated, sprayed grill pan with the grill press (also sprayed) brick on top. You should hear the sizzle! Paninis will get golden brown on top; flip and sizzle to golden brown on bottom. Once all is golden brown and sizzly, cut and serve.

We, of course, added an icy-cold glass of buttery chardonnay and sour cream and onion potato chips! The chips are not nearly as important as the chard!

ENJOY! So yummy, melt-in-your-mouth deliciousness. Crunchy, savory. Yum!

ABC Family Update from Leah

Hi everyone (no one):

So it’s summertime, which means while all the other channels are a complete desert of quality programming, ABC Family is on fire.  Here is my update for summer indulgence guilt shows.

Switched At Birth

I feel like I waited FOREVER to this come back.  It was totally worth the wait.  I keep telling people that this is a legit good show and no one believes me.  Or trusts me?  Anyway when ABCF started promo-ing this show’s return, I realized I never watched the first 10 or so episodes of the first season.  I’m so glad I went back to start at the beginning.  This season so far, boyfriends are back (hey la!), a new British (of course) love interest is introduced, there was a truly great “What if it happened this way instead?” alternate reality episode, and FINALLY I hope please come on Toby is going to get rid of his stupid 18-year-old fiancée.  With Revenge and VD on break for the summer, this is my top can’t wait-for-it-every-week show.  

This pic is for Leah:  

Season grade so far: A

The Fosters

The Fosters is a new show and I sadly found out tonight that next week’s in the last episode before the “summer break.”  Summer Break is a weird ABC Family concept that I find annoying but it completely works on me.  Anyway the ABCF motto is “a new kind of family” and this show hits on all cylinders: biracial lesbian couple with a biological son from one of the women’s first marriage, adopted Latino twins, and a foster brother and sister that they take in on the first episode.  One mom is a cop and the other is a principal at a charter school.  The first few episodes seem… too much somehow, but by the middle of the season I was completely hooked.  It’s sweet and simple and charming, yet it deals with serious and complicated issues facing a lot of young people in our country now.  Of course the family is perfect and it an be a bit incredible, but at the same time I really like it.  I will miss it when it’s over for the break and I am going to lean hard on Lorelai to catch up before it returns.

Season grade so far: B

The Vineyard

What is this?  Is it a reality show?  A fake reality show?  I don’t get it yet.  It’s half Laguna Beach/The Hills, half The Real World, and half this weird internet show I watched all of in one night a couple of years ago.  These 20-somethings all flock to Martha’s Vineyard to work over the summer.  One girl, who seems to be the main narrator, is BFFs with the two girls who manage an “iconic” restaurant (store? bar?) and they hire her to work for them and live in this weird party house with their other “employees.”  I’m only five minutes in and it’s horrible.  I truly can’t tell if they are awful actors in an awfully written show or just awful people in an awful reality show.  So far everyone is shirtless all the time and everyone is already super jelly of everyone else.  I guess I’m in.

Season grade so far: ????  

 Is there a grade for "I am stupider for having watched this show"

Random CW Update – Breaking Pointe

I am super excited that this show is coming back; I had completely forgotten about it.  Rebecca never watched it but I’m going to peer pressure her about it now that I know there are two seasons.  Instead of posting about the first season of this, I’ll try to find weird comments I IM’d to Rebecca during the few afternoons it took to cruise though the episodes at work.   This looks like our friend Raisin Bran and his brothers:

I just like this picture:

Vampire Diaries Season 4, Episode 20: The Originals

Summary:

Klaus goes to New Orleans to investigate a mysterious piece of information about a plot against him. His research leads him to an old protege of his, Marcel, a vampire who is in control of both the humans and supernatural creatures of the city. Elijah is determined to help Klaus get his redemption, follows him and finds out that Hayley, who had visited the city searching for clues of her family, was captured by a powerful witch, Sophie. At the same time, in Mystic Falls, Damon and Stefan go on with their plan with Elena, and Katherine reveals a vulnerability to Rebekah and asks her to make a message delivery.

This was a weird episode, 95% set in New Orleans rather than Mystic Falls, so we each just put together a few thoughts.  Welcome back to guest blogger Lorelai.

Lorelai:

I give it a B+ only because I want more Caroline and I think the Salvatore brothers torturing Elena is stupid.  But I do love the premise of the new spin off

I honestly didn't think I'd watch but now I can look forward to Klaus sort of being a good guy...which I like

Rebecca:

I just think the cast of VD is so good together and it's stupid to split them on to two shows. I could not care less about Renesmee.  Does this mean that Klaus/Caroline are never happening??? Oh I just want to not also, that I screen shot these pics while I'm watching it every week, and they are SO DARK! I have to put them in iphoto to make them this bright. Next week I'll post a before and after. It's bananas.

B-

Leah:

I give this episode a B because of its slow start.  The pregnancy thing was a twist I did not see coming… I hope the baby doesn't eat its way out of stupid Haylee and then fall in love with a teenage werewolf.  Again Elena's storyline is incredibly stupid and I think the idea of the brothers locking themselves up with her is boring and dumb.  But I agree that this episode really intrigues me for the spinoff.  I like when Elijah and Klaus get along and I'm happy that Elijah ditched Katherine.   Now Rebekah just needs to jump on board (and bring Matt!).

Average episode grade: B.... All three of us agreed that Klaus calling Caroline was the best.

Back to MF tonight.  Huzzah.

Vampire Diaries: Season 4, Episode 19: “Pictures of You”

Here’s the recap from the Vampire Diaries Wiki Page:

PROM NIGHT IN MYSTIC FALLS After making a decision that infuriates Klaus, Elijah proposes a life-changing challenge for Rebekah. Caroline finds that her carefully laid plans for the perfect Senior Prom night are disrupted by Elena, so she turns to an amused Klaus for a solution. Determined to get through to Elena, Damon and Stefan both attend the prom, but the evening begins to spiral out of control despite their efforts. When Elena suddenly lashes out in a way no one could have predicted, Matt turns to Rebekah for help. Finally, Bonnie makes a terrifying discovery, and Klaus receives a message that could change everything.

Elena

L: Was I the only one who got Elena and Katherine confused in the beginning of this episode?  Caroline totally looked better in that dress. Also when she was a bitch about her “dead brother” I was enraged.

R: I’m surprised that Elena can act like a shittier version of Katherine.  Elena being so mean makes me miss bitch Katherine.  Text I sent L after Elena stole Caroline’s dress: And the biggest C in the universe goes to...

I disagree with L, I think Elena looked better in it, but that doesn’t change the fact that she needs to get daggered. (L: HA HA HA)

Stefan

R: Stefan and Elena’s dancing scene was super hot. That’s all I have to say

L: Agree about the dancing!  I couldn’t tell if he was faking or not.  I liked that he asked Caroline about getting over someone... when are those two going to hook it up?

Damon

R: Were the Salvatore brothers even in this episode????

L: At this point I still think Damon is being weak.  I LOVED Silas-as-Stefan taunting Damon in the woods about he and Elena being no more than a one night stand because they were sire bonded.  If I never hear the phrase “sire bond” again, I will be okay with that.

Caroline

L:  I thought her prom idea was a little stupid.  Like here are elevendy million pictures of the six of us. (R: I THOUGHT THE SAME THING)  But I was soooo scared for her when I thought Tyler was Silas.  Speaking of Tyler, he can magically transport into this air now?  JEALOUS.  I agree with R that Caroline is the best character on the show.  She started out so weak and annoying, it’s awesome to see her be a badass.  She’s totally using Klaus, but I mean she did plan the whole prom.  Of course she wants a killer dress.

R: Caroline is holding this show together.  She is the best character by far.  When she went to Klaus for help with her dress in a panic was so adorable, and Klaus’s face and reaction was perfect. When Tyler showed up I was happy for Caroline, but the fact that her and Klaus haven’t hooked up yet is stupid.  I think Klaus and Caroline’s chemistry is one thing I’m going to miss about the originals jumping ship to a new show.

Bonnie

L:  Bonnie has got to be the dumbest person ever.  When she was “shocked” that Silas was making her dream of fires I was annoyed.  I don’t quite want her dead.... but I’m close.  She (edit: almost) makes me miss Lexie.  Oh except when she was torturing Elena.  That was a likeable moment.

R: There is NO way you miss Lexie L.  Bonnie is getting less and less needed on this show.  I did love that scene with her and Jeremy, but she needs to be useful or else kill her off.

Matt

L:  I still kind of love Matt.  (Sidebar: what is April doing here still?!)  I still want Rebekah and Matt to hook up.  Is he the only one who isn’t magical now on this whole show?!

Rebekah

L:  I kind of miss Rebekah being a bad guy.  She looked super pretty at prom.

R: I (surprisingly) really like nice Rebekah.  Her brothers were so mean to her, if she wants to be human just let her have it!  If she decides not anymore than change her back into a vampire, I don’t understand the problem.  So what.  I want her and Matt to grow old and have babies, this was the first episode maybe ever that I have actually liked Matt in.  

Klaus

R: PLEASE DON’T LEAVE ME FOR A DIFFERENT SHOW. The end with Katherine’s letter was just a setup for the episode this week (The Originals) so I don’t really care what is in New Orleans.  Part of me hopes that the episode tanks and they all stay in Mystic Falls.  Sidenote: Oh and who is that bitch face werewolf? Where the heck did she go?

L: She’s looking for her birth parents or something.  Total bitch face.  Klaus was interesting in this episode.  I wish he would try to kill Silas instead of being so whiny about being tortured.  Bringing all the dead magical people back is a terrible idea.  BUT he did give Caroline the dress.  I’m disappointed knowing that he won’t be on future seasons because that chemistry with him and Caroline is so great.  

Elijah

L: Well, well.  Elijah is back in charge.  He has the cure, given to him by Katherine, who meant it as as sign of her loyalty to him.  I thought his challenge was kind of stupid, or maybe should have been presented better as him trying to protect Rebekah, to make SURE she wants to be human?  Anyway Elijah is still apparently in love with Katherine.  Boring.  I texted R after the show ended, “I can’t believe Elijah would be that stupid” and I still feel that way.  Him being tricked by Silas isn’t credible and was kind of a weak story line.

R: Elijah is hot, but he is being stupid.

And, finally.... Katerina

L: The bitch is back.  I hope she decides there’s only room for one doppleganger in town and takes out Elena for good.

Notes

L: I can’t believe this season is ending soon.  Yesterday we found out it was renewed in February.  Thank you TV gods.  Oh and PS: I was so happy there was an event/party/dance/gala in this episode.  I missed those.  Whoever is the costume designer for this show does a great job (expect with Evil Elena - all of her clothes suck).

R: Here’s what’s left, I think we should all prepare for lots and lots of Elena crying and blaming herself for everything...they have to fix her soon right?

4/25 The Originals

5/2 She’s Come Undone

5/9 The Walking Dead

5/16 Graduation

Leah Grade: A-

Rebecca Grade: agree, A-

Rebecca's Giant Anime Post--Part I

My annual anime convention is this weekend and I have been working my tail off to get everything done in time.  Taking a drawn image and making it into a costume that someone can wear is a lot more work than you would expect.

My Brother's Costume Choice--

Sogeking from One Piece 

This costume was SO much easier to make than what I expected.  

The mask was the biggest pain in my ass.  It's made from a cheap white costume mask that we got at a halloween store, we made fins for and then covered in paper and then decoupage and then sanded and then painted.  It doesn't even look like it is covered in paper.  I'm really proud of it.

A's Costume Choice--
Strong World Luffy from One Piece

Honestly, I didn't help a ton with this costume.  A bought the coat online and the rest is pretty much a suit.  But that hat, that damn damn hat.  Who would have thought it would have been so hard to find a straw wide brimmed hat?? We sure didn't.  A also has an unusually large head which always seems to pose a slight problem.  We actually found the hat at an asian grocery store we go to, we starched the brim and then I sewed floral wire into the brim so it holds up more.

I only have this terrible photo of A from a couple of days ago.  

Oh that gun...A made the whole thing out of wood.  It is beautiful.  He has been working on it since January and my basement has been a wood shaving-filled mess. But I have to say it was worth it. 

On to my costume choice!!

Rebecca's Costume--

Princess Tutu from Princess Tutu

I watched this last summer and instantly fell in love with this costume.  After last year's convention I didn't really know if I wanted to go this year.  But after I watched this anime I knew I wanted to make this costume.  

I didn't make the bodice quite like hers because it is pretty much backless.  After a quick google search for other cosplays I knew I didn't want to do that, no one's fit well when they made it exactly like that, I opted to use a corset instead which gave the same look in the front but is fitted.

Anyway, this costume wass actually pretty easy, it was like I could do no wrong, everything I did just WORKED. It was amazing. The wig is probably my favorite part, I love how it turned out.  

I did get demi-pointe toe shoes, so there is no shank in them--the bend in the middle--but they are still really uncomfortable, nothing a few drinks won't fix. 

I also got colored contacts and put on a shit ton of makeup, neither which I have done here, and it turned out pretty great.  I finished my costume months ago, and I'm excited to wear it this weekend!

There are more people coming with us but I don't have any good pictures of their costumes as of now.  More after the weekend!

Grades and Thoughts on TV this Season Before Finales

Rebecca already had a list on her desktop of her TV because otherwise she'll forget.  Not crazy...smart

HIMYM-

REBECCA--I can't quit this show.  It's like a friend that you hang out with that you don't really like, but every now and then you have fun and remember the good times. But to be fair this season has been better than last couple seasons.  They need to get rid of the laugh track and the over acting. The best episode of the season was the ashtray episode and Robin being super drunk/slutty

Grade this season--C+ 

LEAH --I’ve invested too much into this show to not stick around and find out who the mother is.  Ted has been sad and mopey lately and I don’t care at all about Marshall and Lilly’s baby.  What happened to them?  They used to be the best couple on tv (now it’s Jane and Brad from Happy Endings, which is funny because that show also has the absolute worst couple on tv, Alex and Dave).  This show feels like a chore to watch but I’ll stick around.  Robyn’s back to being awful, Barney’s not funny anymore  Typing this makes me wonder why I’m still watching.  I feel like I laughed at some point during this week’s episode but I can’t remember when.

Grade this season--C-

The Following-

REBECCA--This show is stupid. But I can't stop watching it.  Leah watched the first episode and cried and couldn't sleep that night. So she is out.  I don’t know how they are going to keep this show going.

Grade this season--C 

LEAH -- Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeek.  I had to call in sick to work after I watched the first episode of this because I couldn’t sleep.  Even Kevin Hotass Bacon couldn’t bring me back.

Grade this season-- I’m afraid to give it a grade or someone will convince me to poke my own eyeballs out with a screwdriver.

New Girl-

REBECCA-New Girl was SO solid last season, I was NOT going to watch it because the word “adorkable” makes me want to stab someone. This season has had a bunch of terrible episodes, including the one I’m watching right now (First Date) Jess and Nick together...I’m not sure.

Grade this season--B

LEAH --I think New Girl had a couple of good episodes this season.  It was rocky for a while but I still really dig this show.  We need more Winston.  Nick and Jess screaming at each other gets me every time - hilarious.  And I want to be friends with Schmidt too.

Grade this season--B+

Go On-

REBECCA-All I can say about Go On is that it is pretty cute.  The characters are all quirky (hate that word) and fun to watch. Matthew Perry=Michael Cera, he can only play one character.  My only complaint is that this show’s main plot, Matthew Perry’s wife had died has kinda come to a close, they need a new over-arching plot. Oh and what's up John Cho.

Grade this season--B-

LEAH -- I don’t watch this but I’d like to.

Mindy Project-

REBECCA-This show is stupid, but I watch it every week. I enjoy it just enough to keep watching. Morgan the male nurse is the best part.

Grade this season--D

LEAH -- I don’t watch this and I don’t want to.  I love Mindy from The Office and from her book, I just couldn’t get into this show.  I still hope it does well though.

Modern Family-

REBECCA-Eh. Manny is the worst character on TV, when did he get SO annoying???  This show has peaked and is on it’s way down.

Grade this season--C+

LEAH -- I like this show a lot still.  I love Luke - he’s a genius in real life.  Hilarious.  I hated Phil when this show first started but I love him now.  The end of last week’s episode with Luke teaching Mitch how to play handball was great.  I’ll keep this one in the rotation throughout it’s run, I’m sure.

Grade this season--B+

Parks and Rec-

REBECCA-Best show on TV right now.  The last 2 seasons have been so funny.  The best episode of the season was when Ron, Andy and Ben end up with food poisoning from the mini calzones.

Grade this season--A

LEAH -- I vow to watch this in its entirety over the summer.

The Office

REBECCA-This has been a great final season, I am going to be really sad to see it go.  The writers should have left Andy off the rest of the season-he has been by far the worst part.  When Pam and Jim got into a fight on the phone I couldn’t believe how sad it made me.  Anyone who says that this show stopped being funny when Michael Scott left is completely wrong.

Grade this season--B+

LEAH -- This season has really been a redemption for The Office.  I felt like I was sticking around just out of nostalgia but it’s been so great this year.  Rebecca hates people who drop a show and then tune in for the series finale and this show is making me agree with her.  I think the guy who records Pam is hot, too.  

Grade this season--A-

Vampire Diaries

REBECCA-I’m really torn how I feel about VD right now.  It’s been good, but Vampire Diaries has been SOOO good for so long that this season feels like a let down.  This Silas/the cure plot line is taking too much time and I’m bored with it.  The show doesn’t make me feel anything for Elena except disgust.  The writers need to give her something to make her likable again.  I can’t see this show lasting more than another season, which at this point I would be sad but happy that it went out on top.  Klaus and Caroline need to hook it up.

Grade this season--B

LEAH -- I’ve been reading comments online and everyone wants Elena to die.  Not vampire die, actually die.  I have to agree.  She sucks all the life out of the show and her fake “I’m a badass” routine isn’t convincing anyone.  Weak Damon is as stupid as Cruel Stefan is awesome.  I agree about Klaus and Caroline, and I’m intrigued/annoyed about The Originals spinoff.  I mean it’s the CW, of course I’ll watch it.  At this point that family is more interesting than Mystic Falls.  EXCEPT prom is coming up.  Yay, more galas in MF.  About time.

Grade this season-- A because I love this show so much, but in reality probably a B

Community

REBECCA-I will never say anything bad about Community. I love this show more than I love most people. I was worried at the beginning of the season but it has started to feel like the Community I love again.   

Grade this season--A-

LEAH -- People who are ripping on Community don’t understand October 19.  I would give a limb to be on Troy & Abed in the Mooorning - NIGHTS.  I want Britta and Jeff to end up together.

Grade this season-- Always A.  I can’t help it.

Revenge

REBECCA- Last season I was EXCITED to watch this show on mondays, not so much any more.Needs more Revenge and less soapy plots, I need some lives ruined!  Oh and less Padma.

Grade this season--B-

LEAH -- I love this show and I love texting Rebecca while I’m watching it, whether she’s seen it yet or not.  We should do another live blog.  I agree that there needs to be more rage-fueled but meticulously-planned vengeance.  I was surprised how legitimately sad I was when Amanda died.  Nolan is the best, where can we pick up a buddy like that?  Padma is stupid.

Grade this season--B but I have high hopes that it will end as an A.

Switched at Birth

Leah -- I love this show.  It’s silly and a little church-y, but I am a complete sucker for ABC Family and this one I like.  I’m keeping it.  

Grade this season - B+

REBECCA-Okay I have never seen this show, but from looking at that picutre COME ON! OF COURSE YOU HAVE THE WRONG KID.

Game of Thrones

REBECCA-Only been one episode but once again, I know more about the characters on this show than I do about my friends.  The books are so good there is no way this show can be anything but amazing.

Leah - Always A.  Anything GOT (except Theon except when his sister is calling him a cunt) = A.  (Also Rebecca “knows more” than she does about her friends?  Ha!  We CARE MORE about these fictional characters than we do about most live people, to be fair.)

Gossip Girl

Leah---this needed to end and it did.  We both miss it but only because the last few episodes were really good.

Grade this season - B

REBECCA- I miss this show.

Shows that we stopped watching because it started to feel like homework--

90210

REBECCA--I stuck with this show through some terrible plots, but after Max and Naomi got a divorce after being married 5 episodes I was done

LEAH -- This show was never good.  I’m surprised we lasted as long as we did.  

Carrie Diaries

REBECCA--BORING

LEAH -- couldn’t care less

The Lying Game

REBECCA--this show was great the first season, but then nothing was happening for the second and I got annoyed because it didn’t make any sense what was going on.  

LEAH -- this show was a guilty pleasure but Leah’s right, it just stalled.  When you haven’t seen something in a month and you don’t care, it’s time to let it go.

Leah--We’ll update in a few weeks with our summer plans!

Rebecca--Anime convention in a few weeks! I'll post pics of costumes then!