Myspace Monday Graphics
Sexy Graphic Comments(1) My favorite quote is: "May all your joy be pure joy, and all your pain, champagne." It's what I wish for everyone I know.
(2) I've been described as "fiesty" and I kind of like it.
(3) I'm very happy. I have the best life anyone could hope for.
(4) I define my entire life using song lyrics. I've only ever met one other person who does this as much as I do, ever. I believe that if you can communicate with me using song lyrics, then you're probably my soul mate.
(5) My dream is to marry Matt Leinart. If that doesn't work out, I'll settle for Matt Ryan. I have a thing for football players.
(6) I'm eternally optimistic - if it hasn't turned out for the best, it's not over yet!
(7) I detest e-mail clients and believe I was born in the wrong century. However, I recently signed up for gmail and it's the best thing that's ever happened to me.
(8) I've been to some amazing concerts, but the best one would have to be O.A.R. in 2004. It was outdoors and it poured like crazy throughout the whole thing but they kept playing. Just phenomenal.
(9) The top five most played songs on my iTunes are: (5) "Livin' in the Future" by Bruce Springsteen, (4) "That Song in my Head" by Julianne Hough, (3) "Favorite State of Mind" by Josh Gracin, (2) "You Can Call Me Al" by Paul Simon, and (1) "There's a Fine, Fine Line" from Avenue Q. And the number one song is only number one because I listened to it on repeat by accident for a whole day.
(10) I love all things monogrammed. My parents think this is crazy because when I get married all of my monogrammed stuff will be obsolete. I keep telling them I just have to find someone with a last name with the same initial as mine and everything will be okay!
(11) I bleed orange and cry blue 'cause I'm one hellUVA hoo!
(12) The first time I ever ate clams I was four years old and my babysitter convinced me they were good. I've loved all seafood ever since.
(13) I believe in forgiveness. I hate it when people are mad at me.
(14) I absolutely adore Kraft Macaroni and Cheese. No matter what anyone else says, the stuff is absolutely delicious and hard to beat.
(15) I went to Middle School with Kiely Williams, one of the three original members of 3LW (Hit Single: "No More") and a current one of the Cheetah Girls.
(16) Diet Pepsi. Enough said.
(17) My dream for my rehearsal dinner is to have a bluegrass/country band, an outdoor tent, and a pig pickin' at the Tuckahoe Plantation (childhood home of Thomas Jefferson).
(18) Because I'm such a social person, I'm a member of every possible online people-linking community. Some people think this is weird or excessive, I think it helps me stay in closer contact with old friends.
(19) To be fair, I'm not the world's best singer. But I absolutely love to sing.
(20) My favorite country song of all time is "Something LIke That" by Tim McGraw. I don't know why, I just absolutely love it.
(21) MacKenzie Childs is my favorite furniture company.
(22) I always thought I'd be a famous writer. My senior quote was "When I am dead, I hope it may be said, her sins were scarlet but her books were read." I hope, one day, I'll fulfill that dream.
(23) When I was in high school, I went to see an All-American Rejects show with my friends. I didn't particularly like the band and didn't really know who they were. When I was downstairs at the bar (getting a water) this guy with pretty eyes came up to me and hit on me pretty hard. He was wearing a black t-shirt and jeans (not my type) so I didn't really give him the time of day. When the band got up to play "Swing, Swing," I saw the guy again. He was the lead singer. I felt pretty cool for a solid 2 weeks.
(24) I really want to live in the Belmont area of Charlottesville.
(25) My best Christmas present ever was when I was five years old. In a box under the tree there was a small cocker spaniel with a big bow around her neck. Santa was awesome.
(26) I'm very ambitious.
(27) My favorite flowers are star-gazers but I'm very allergic to them.
(28) I love people. I am a quintessential "people person."
(29) If you're interested in proposing to me, you might want to check out the blooming magnolia tree outside of the Rotunda at UVa. It's my single favorite spot in the world.
(30) I have very vivid dreams.
(31) I want to get married in Historic St. John's Church in downtown Richmond (where Patrick Henry gave his 'give me liberty or give me death' speech).
(32) I'm not a sweets person. I much prefer salty/greasy foods to sweets. Some people call it a blessing, I think it's just as bad.
(33) Great food is my weakness.
(34) I'm training for a 10K right now and it's pretty much killing me -- but I love having and achieving goals!
(35) I'm a huge flirt.
(36) My dream guy has turquoise eyes, blonde hair, he's 6'4" and has a biting wit.
(37) When I die I want to be cremated and have my ashes strewn across the lawn at UVa.
(38) I believe in frugality but not cheapness.
(39) Charleston might be the best place on the planet.
(40) I feel guilty whenever I watch it, but Nip/Tuck is my favorite tv show. Hands down.
(41) I prefer my hair long and curly but I keep it shoulder length and straight so that my collar can stay popped (no joke).
(42) My favorite color is pink.
(43) I'm very brand loyal except in makeup: Laura Mercier foundation, Lancome blush, Maybelline eye shadow, L'oreal mascara, Chanel lip gloss.
(44) My idea of a really good time is a group of great girl friends, a couple bottles of cheap wine, great music, and fun stories.
(45) I'm pretty much in love with most of the guys I'm friends with. I think it's because I have awesome friends.
(46) My father used to work for Carly Fiorina (the former "most powerful woman in corporate america") and she's been one of my idols ever since.
(47) I love celebrity gossip and I'm totally addicted to perez hilton.
(48) I don't smoke but I think it's glamorous.
(49) I've only been single for 11 months out of the last 8 years. I'm working on becoming my own individual single gal, now, and I'm super excited about it!
(50) I plan to become a Junior Leaguer in the next year.
(51) I've never even considered getting a tattoo. The craziest thing I ever wanted was another hole in my ear. When I was in high school I wanted to get my cartilage pierced, and my father made me a deal. He said if I went away to college for one semester and still wanted it when I got home he would take me himself and pay for it to be done. Sure enough, I went to UVa for a few months and didn't want it anymore. Tricky (but smart) parenting works!
(52) My mother is a saint.
(53) I didn't like Sex & the City until I went to college. Now, I understand.
(54) My parents bought me a gorgeous David Yurman watch for my college graduation. It is by far my favorite (only?) luxury item.
(55) I think cheese is my favorite food group. I could probably sustain myself on nothing but cheese for months on end.
(56) I love the Food Network. If Bobby Flay ever proposed to me, I would say yes. I wouldn't even think about it.
(57) When I went to Las Vegas, it went to my head. And that's all I have to say on the matter.
(58) I love appropriate drinks at appropriate times: martinis at swanky bars, vodka negronis at important business functions (when everyone else is drinking, of course), bourbon at football games, mint juleps at the race track, and cold beer at baseball games.
(59) I was an English major in college.
(60) I want to buy a house more than anything so that I can decorate it in preppy colors and themes.
(61) My favorite season is fall. I love the leaves and the crisp weather.
(62) I saw *NSync 3 times when they were famous. On the way to one concert we passed their tour bus and JC Chasez waved at me out the window. I almost died.
(63) I only wear Joe's Jeans and J.Crew's khakis.
(64) My license plate reads "HOOS 08." It is THE best license plate I could have had in college and my awesome father reserved it for me 2 months before I even got into UVa.
(65) My most embarassing moment was in second grade when I wrote anonymous love letters to my crush one evening after school was out (my mom was the head of the PTA so I was always at school "after hours.") Problem was, I wrote a non-anonymous note to my teacher, as well. My crush, Nick, found out I'd written a note to my teacher and figured out that I must have written my note to him, too (smart kid, huh?). When he confronted me about it, I was so embarassed that I told him my best friend Laura wrote the note. We never spoke again. :(
(66) I've had my wedding dress picked out since I was 19. My table centerpieces have been planned since I was 7. I plan ahead.
(67) I'm definitely blonde - in looks and attitude (though I like to think I'm a little bit smarter than the stereotype.)
(68) I'm a moderate Republican.
(69) I love classic and preppy fashions and believe everyone - no matter what their body type - can look good in clothes. It's all about how you wear it and work it!
(70) My first car was a 1996 black BMW 318i and I was in love with it.
(71) I'm an only child and had the best parents anyone could ask for.
(72) I'm a Scorpio, through and through.
(73) I love to cuddle with things - that's why I still have stuffed animals.
(74) I've been in love and I've been out of love. I think I prefer "in love" more.
(75) Great southern traditions are very important to me: I believe in college football, the Redskins, the Braves, Biscuits & Gravy, Fried Chicken, Sweet Tea and Mint Juleps. Not, necessarily, in that order.
(76) My favorite food to cook is probably my secret recipe "Chicken with Grapes." It's not Chicken Veronique, it's a secret ;)
(77) I love water - being around or in it.
(78) I won "most school spirited" in my first year dorm.
(79) I have two dogs: a maltese and a papillion.
(80) When I read "How to Win Friends and Influence People" it changed my life.
(81) My father went to Virginia Tech and I went to UVa. It's only a problem when we play each other in football and basketball, then it's war.
(82) My type of guy is the one who used to be super in shape but then went to college and drank a few too many beers. I consider it the mark of a good time, and I love anyone fun.
(83) I love preppy men's clothing. LOVE.
(84) My favorite word is "acquiescence" because I like the way it rolls off of the tongue.
(85) My father cannot believe the number of song lyrics I know. It's a personal point of pride.
(86) I love musicals. All of them.
(87) I met Jackie Kennedy when I was 3 or 4 years old in a little country general store. I like to think she left a lasting impression on me.
(88) I'm a hopeless romantic.
(89) If you can make me laugh, I'm half in love with you already.
(90) My lifeline is my friends - they are the best I could ever hope for.
(91) I love proving myself. If you tell me I can't do something, I will go out and do it just to prove to you that I can. This got me in a lot of trouble at frat parties when I was told I couldn't drink whiskey straight.
(92) When I was 8, I went skiing with my family. Fearing the height of the mountain we were on, I safely decided to walk down the side of the slope instead of ski down it. An out of control teenager crashed into me, flipping me twice and knocking me unconscious. I am no longer a skier, but I wish I could get back into it.
(93) If I could live anywhere it would be a toss-up between Hawaii and Monticello. If they'd let me buy Monticello.
(94) I want three kids: a boy named Jefferson, and two girls named Charlotte and Virginia.
(95) I moved to Richmond, VA from NJ after 8th grade. The best compliment I've received in my life was from a nice old lady who asked me if I was originally from Georgia.
(96) I'm obsessive about being on-time.
(97) I have an undying love for stuffed lions and figurines from my sorority days in Alpha Delta Pi.
(98) My bedroom is done in Ralph Lauren pink and white stripes, with black and white toile curtains.
(99) My favorite food is black cod.
(100) I attended a private high school in Richmond, VA where I was a newspaper editor, make-up extraordinaire for theatrical productions, varisty swimmer, and junior class president.

Lots of love, pure joy & champagne,

Myspace Happy New Year Comments & GraphicsStrawberry Shortcake
Posted by Elise on Mar 16, 2006

Filed under Bakery, Dessert, Seasonal Favorites: Spring, Seasonal Favorites: Summer, Wheat-free

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What better way to conjure up memories of the joys of youth than strawberry shortcake? Strawberry shortcake consists of sliced strawberries that have been macerated with whipped cream served over a white cake or biscuit. I'm from the camp that insists that strawberry shortcake is made with a biscuit, not a cake. Growing up we always made the shortcake biscuits with Bisquick baking mix, which now, thankfully, has a zero-transfat version of their product. The best of course are biscuits made from scratch, using butter and cream. I've included recipes here for excellent homemade biscuits, the Bisquick biscuits, and also wheat and gluten-free biscuits for those who don't want to give up strawberry shortcake just because they can't eat wheat.

Strawberry Shortcake Recipe
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Ingredients
Strawberries and whipping cream:

3 baskets of fresh strawberries
1/2 cup sugar
Whipping cream
Vanilla

Method
Remove the stems from the strawberries. Slice into thin (1/4" to 1/8") slices. Put into a large bowl. Add 1/4 cup to 1/2 cup of sugar (depending on how sweet the strawberries are to begin with) and mix into the strawberries. Set aside at room temperature to macerate (which means that the sugar will soften the strawberries and help release their juices).

After the strawberries have been sitting for 20 minutes or so, take a potato masher and mash them a little. Not too much, just enough to get more juice out of them.

Whip the cream, adding a drop or two of vanilla and a teaspoon of sugar.

To serve, break up one biscuit per person into big pieces into a bowl. Ladle strawberries over the biscuit. Add a dolop of whipped cream.


Biscuits from scratch

3 cups all purpose flour
3 Tbsp granulated sugar
1 1/2 Tbsp baking powder
3/4 teaspoon salt
12 Tbsp cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
1 1/2 cups heavy cream
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Sift the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt into a large bowl. Toss with a fork to combine. Cut the butter into the flour mixture with a pastry cutter or a fork until the largest pieces of butter are the size of peas. (Or pulse several times in a food processor.) Combine the cream and vanilla in a liquid measure. Make a well in the center of the flour and and pour the cream mixture into the well. Mix with a fork until the dough is evenly moistened and just combined; it should look shaggy and still feel a little dry. Gently knead by hand five or six times to create a loose ball.

Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured work surface and pat it into an 8-inch square, 3/4 to 1 inch thick. Transfer the dough to a baking sheet lined with parchment or silpat, cover with plastic and chill for 20 minutes in the refrigerator. Heat the oven to 425ºF. Remove the dough from refrigerator. Cut the dough into 9 even squares and spread them about 2 inches apart from each other on the baking sheet. Bake until the biscuits are medium golden brown, 18 to 20 minutes.

Makes 9 biscuits. (Adapted from Fine Cooking Magazine, July 2003)


Bisquick biscuits:

2 1/3 cups Bisquick baking mix
3 Tbsp butter, melted
1/2 cup milk
3 Tbsp sugar

The strawberry shortcake biscuit recipe used to be on the side of the Bisquick box. For some unfathomable reason, the company has started to print the recipe on the inside of the box. Talk about not understanding your customers! If you can't find the recipe, here it is:

Heat oven to 425°F. Stir baking mix, melted butter, milk, and 3 Tbsp of sugar in a mixing bowl until soft dough forms. Drop by 6 spoonfuls on to a greased cookie sheet. Bake 10-12 minutes or until golden brown.

Makes 6 biscuits.


Gluten-free biscuits:

1-1/2 cups Gluten Free All Purpose Baking Flour (Bob's Red Mill)
1 Tbsp. Sugar
2 tsp. Baking Powder
1/4 tsp. Baking Soda
1 tsp. Xanthan Gum
1 tsp. Guar Gum
1/2 tsp. Salt

1/4 cup Shortening
1/2 cup Milk
1 large Egg White

Preheat oven to 350º. Line baking sheet with parchment paper or grease lightly.

In food processor, pulse dry ingredients (flour through salt) with shortening until mixture is consistency of small peas. Add milk and egg white. Blend until dough forms ball, scraping down sides with spatula, if necessary. Dough will be somewhat soft.

Place dough on parchment-lined or greased baking sheet that’s been lightly dusted with rice flour. Gently pat to 3/4-inch thick circle with hands or spatula. Lightly dust dough with rice flour. Cut into ten 2-inch circles with floured biscuit cutter. Shape remaining dough to 3/4-inch thick and cut again. If dough is sticky, lightly dust with more flour. Arrange evenly on baking sheet.

Bake 12-15 minutes or until nicely browned. Best when served warm or gently reheated in microwave oven. Serves 10. (Recipe from Bob's Red Mill)