Ambienttraffictag:www.ambienttraffic.net,2009-03-28://2http://www.ambienttraffic.net/favicon.ico2009-12-06T23:51:23Zmusings on art, ideas, food, design, living in Brooklyn, and bloggingMovable Type Pro 4.31-enFountaintag:www.ambienttraffic.net,2009:/seen//5.5712009-12-16T15:00:00Z2009-12-14T00:15:55ZTraciehttp://www.ambienttraffic.net ]]>
Grandma in the streettag:www.ambienttraffic.net,2009:/seen//5.5702009-12-15T15:00:00Z2009-12-14T00:13:56ZI have no idea what year or where this photo was taken. It sort of looks like New York - but I don't even know WHY my grandmother would pose for a photo on this particular street corner....Traciehttp://www.ambienttraffic.netI have no idea what year or where this photo was taken. It sort of looks like New York - but I don't even know WHY my grandmother would pose for a photo on this particular street corner. ]]>
Disney Worldtag:www.ambienttraffic.net,2009:/seen//5.5692009-12-14T15:00:00Z2009-12-13T16:08:50ZI already have the pre-teen look of disdain. Doh. But it is abrogated by my sisters' cuteness....Traciehttp://www.ambienttraffic.netI already have the pre-teen look of disdain. Doh. But it is abrogated by my sisters' cuteness. ]]>
Santatag:www.ambienttraffic.net,2009:/seen//5.5682009-12-10T15:00:00Z2009-12-07T01:04:34ZTraciehttp://www.ambienttraffic.net These mall Santas are kind of scary. ]]>
Sisterstag:www.ambienttraffic.net,2009:/seen//5.5672009-12-09T15:00:00Z2009-12-07T00:55:04ZTraciehttp://www.ambienttraffic.net ]]>
Mini Metag:www.ambienttraffic.net,2009:/seen//5.5662009-12-08T15:00:00Z2009-12-07T00:52:44ZTraciehttp://www.ambienttraffic.net ]]>
Airporttag:www.ambienttraffic.net,2009:/seen//5.5632009-12-07T15:00:00Z2009-11-26T19:46:03ZI just like this photo. Maybe my mom took it, not really sure....Traciehttp://www.ambienttraffic.netI just like this photo. Maybe my mom took it, not really sure. ]]>
Pfeffernüssetag:www.ambienttraffic.net,2009://2.5652009-12-06T23:24:04Z2009-12-06T23:51:23ZI was tired of sugar cookies and decided to try something different this year for the holidays. They came out pretty well, I wish I had been able to find regular molasses rather than blackstrap molasses - then I think...Traciehttp://www.ambienttraffic.net
I was tired of sugar cookies and decided to try something different this year for the holidays. They came out pretty well, I wish I had been able to find regular molasses rather than blackstrap molasses - then I think the flavor of the spices would have come out a little more. They're not that difficult to make - just a lot of waiting. I suggest making the dough the night before and baking them in the morning, or vice versa.
The recipe from the Gourmet (R.I.P.) Cookbook after the jump!
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Makes about 11 dozen cookies active time: 2 hours start to finish: 14 hours (includes chilling and standing time)
For Cookies: 1/2 stick (4 tablespoons) unsalted butter, softened 1/4 cup margarine, softened 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar 1 large egg 1/2 cup molasses (NOT robust or blackstrap - this is important!) 3 cups sifted all purpose flour 3/4 teaspoon salt 1 1/2 teaspoons anise seeds 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg 3/4 teaspoon baking soda 2 teaspoons hot water
For Coating: 1 cup granulated sugar 1/2 cup water 2 cups confectioners' sugar
Make the Cookies: Beat together butter and margarine in a large bowl with an electric mixer at medium speed until smooth and creamy. Beat in brown sugar, egg, and molasses. Whisk together 1 1/2 cups flour, salt, and spices in a medium bowl, then beat into molasses mixture. Dissolve baking soda in hot water, then beat into batter. Beat in remaining 1 1/2 cups flour until incorporated. Refrigerate dough, wrapped in plastic wrap, for at least 8 hours.
Put racks in upper and lower thirds of the oven and preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Butter two large baking sheets.
Roll level teaspoons of dough into balls and arrange about 1 1/2 inches apart on buttered baking sheets. Bake, switching position of sheets halfway through baking, until puffed and just set in the center, 10 to 14 minutes total. Transfer cookies to racks to cool.
Make the coating: Combine granulated sugar and water in a 1-quart saucepan and bring to a boil, stirring until sugar is dissolved. Cool syrup completely.
Transfer syrup to a shallow bowl. Place sheets of wax paper under racks of cookies. Dip cooled cookies one at a time in syrup to coat and return to racks to drain. Let stand at room temperature for 2 hours.
Sift confectioners' sugar into a paper bag. Shake a few cookies at a time in bag to coat, then lightly brush off excess sugar with your fingers. ]]>
Ted and Evelyntag:www.ambienttraffic.net,2009:/seen//5.5622009-12-04T15:00:00Z2009-11-26T19:36:15Zat our house in Fair Lawn. I think I was a baby at this point....Traciehttp://www.ambienttraffic.net at our house in Fair Lawn. I think I was a baby at this point. ]]>
In the Gardentag:www.ambienttraffic.net,2009:/seen//5.5612009-12-03T15:00:00Z2009-11-26T19:32:34ZNo this is not me. Yes this is my mom....Traciehttp://www.ambienttraffic.netNo this is not me. Yes this is my mom. ]]>
Royaltonetag:www.ambienttraffic.net,2009:/seen//5.5602009-12-02T15:00:00Z2009-11-26T19:30:35ZI have no idea what is with all the stuff around the photo. But I like that my grandma is laughing....Traciehttp://www.ambienttraffic.netI have no idea what is with all the stuff around the photo. But I like that my grandma is laughing. ]]>
Christmas Timetag:www.ambienttraffic.net,2009:/seen//5.5592009-12-01T15:00:00Z2009-11-26T19:27:50ZMe and Dad....Traciehttp://www.ambienttraffic.net Me and Dad. ]]>
Citrus Royaltytag:www.ambienttraffic.net,2009:/seen//5.5582009-11-30T15:00:00Z2009-11-26T19:24:10ZMy grandfather. In the 70s. Nuff said....Traciehttp://www.ambienttraffic.net My grandfather. In the 70s. Nuff said. ]]>
Soundtrack 2009tag:www.ambienttraffic.net,2009://2.5642009-11-28T05:28:45Z2009-11-28T05:59:23ZLooking back on the past year, there are a couple of bands and albums that stood out as my soundtrack for 2009 - they were on heavy rotation on my iPod and I couldn't get them out of my head....Traciehttp://www.ambienttraffic.net
Quantic and his Combo Barbaro: totally great mixture of Latin, African and Middle Eastern sounds. I wish I could be driving in a convertible down the beach on a summer evening with this on my stereo.
Bruce Springsteen, Nebraska: I know this album is more than 20 years old, but I recently downloaded it and made me realize that I don't hate Bruce. In fact, this album is totally stark and moving and unlike anything that I had associated Bruce with. Thanks eMusic.
Under the Covers: A two disc covers album with Matthew Sweet and Susanna Hoffs, lead singer of the Bangles. Some of the covers are pretty straightforward, but I love Susanna Hoffs' voice and I can't get enough of it.
Metric: This was Metric's year. "Help I'm Alive" was an earworm for me for almost a month straight. I blame it on @djacobs.
The Pains of Being Pure at Heart: I think this was in every hipster's playlist at some point this year. But there's a reason why! Twee, endearing vocals, with a sugary pop coating.
Neko Case: Because she's brilliant and I always need my dose of countrified alt rock.
Thao: This album recently made it into heavy rotation - I constantly download female singer/songwriter type music with high expectations but often they blur together. Thao has a really unique sound that just grabs your heart and makes her stand out from the rest.
I think that Lady Gaga also deserves a mention even though I have been resisting her for months - Bad Romance has been stuck in my head for days now. Damn her wily charms! ]]>
Momtag:www.ambienttraffic.net,2009:/seen//5.5572009-11-27T15:00:00Z2009-11-26T19:19:32ZYes, we look really alike....Traciehttp://www.ambienttraffic.netYes, we look really alike. ]]>
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I have no idea what year or where this photo was taken. It sort of looks like New York - but I don't even know WHY my grandmother would pose for a photo on this particular street corner. ]]>
I already have the pre-teen look of disdain. Doh. But it is abrogated by my sisters' cuteness. ]]>
I just like this photo. Maybe my mom took it, not really sure. ]]>
No this is not me. Yes this is my mom. ]]>
I have no idea what is with all the stuff around the photo. But I like that my grandma is laughing. ]]>
Yes, we look really alike. ]]>