my new favorite
Pretty sure we're both into dirt & having our hair brushed. Curious on whether Elizabeth the Austrian Mangalitza Gilt bahs or oinks. Both, preferably.
half-time: best albums of 2009, so far.
20. Regina Spektor, Far -- been listening to "Folding Chair" lately & picturing myself on the beach.
19. Handsome Furs, Face Control -- Dan Boeckner's voice makes everything feel really urgent & edgy.
18. Animal Collective, Merriweather Post Pavilion -- tons of hipster buzz, but rightly so. Fun, inventive & psychedelic.
17. Harlem Shakes, Technicolor Health -- simple & upbeat with hand claps and layered vocals.
16. M. Ward, Hold Time -- Always a pleasure. Ward is truly master of his craft in what feels like the humblest, most genuine manner possible.
15. Sunset Rubdown, Dragonslayer -- weird and wonderful, prog-indie. Love the epic story and instrumental build up in the finished/produced version of "You Go On Ahead (Trumpet Trumpet II)."
14. Peter Bjorn & John, Living Thing -- a surprisingly sexed-up, infectious, dance-party pleaser.
13. Conor Oberst & The Mystic Valley Band, Outer South -- evokes a sort of sentimental quality, like an old classic. The new ensemble is so well balanced. When it first came out I listened to "White Shoes" on repeat for a week solid.
12. Mos Def, Ecstatic -- I'm a sucker for his mellow, fluid rhyme tempo.
11. Deer Tick, War Elephant -- gritty & rough, laced with vulnerability & charm. Kind of like your favorite dive bar.
10. Dirty Projectors, Bitte Orca -- totally unique & refreshing. Far out, but accessible.
9. Black Moth Super Rainbow, Eating Us -- hypnotic.
8. The Felice Brothers, Yonder the Clock -- these hometown boys continue to amaze me with their folk-lore, ho-down, Americana music.
7. St. Vincent, Actor -- her voice is relaxing & enchanting, like a lovely little forest nymph.
6. Beirut, March of the Zapotec/ Holland -- my love for Beirut just keeps growing. This double album/EP may seem like contrasting focuses, but dude gets into it.
5. Various Artists, Dark Was The Night -- tell me what isn't awesome about this album? Heavyweight for sure.
4. Discovery, LP -- synthed, "space pop," side-project. Maybe I'm taking crazy pills, but I find it strangely undeniable.
3. Yeah Yeah Yeahs, It's Blitz! -- dance your face off. Girl's got attitude. Love this 'soft shock' remix, too.
2. Grizzly Bear, Veckatimest -- everyone is drooling. I'm no exception. It's even better live.
1. Dan Auerbach, Keep it Hid -- bluesy, rock. I've been listening to this album pretty regularly since like February & I'm still in awe. It's rugged, raw & really incredible.
oatmeal raisin chocolate chip cookie recipe
Cookies are delicious. Duh. And since your mom has a real job, it's probably time you learn how to make them for yourself. It takes about 30 minutes to mix & throw in your first batch, so pause this week's episode of Intervention. Get off of your couch & into the kitchen.
I basically use the recipe from the Quaker Oats website, which makes a hardy batch, so certainly downsize to suit yourself. You can refrigerate the cookie batter for a few days, but I'd try to use it within a week.
In a large mixing bowl, mix together:
2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 cups packed brown sugar
1 1/2 cups apple sauce (recipe calls for vegetable shortening, but this works)
6 cups Quaker Oats
1 egg
3 tablespoons water
1 teaspoon vanilla
however many raisins & chocolate chips blow your skirt up*
Mix thoroughly so everything blends & turns into thick dough. Put spoon-sized clumps of dough on greased cookie sheet. Bake at 350-degrees for approximately 15-minutes. They're going to look so awesome, but remember to let them cool down for a few before eating.
*When I told Sarah about my awesome cookies, she was like, "Eww, raisins!" Then I had to be all, "Hello, obviously."
