Downtown Abbey Love

Hello.

My name is Liz and I am addicted to Downtown Abbey.

Do you watch this show yet? If you answered no, then you have some explaining to do. Downtown Abbey is the soapiest dish without any guilty residue. It's funny. Heartbreaking. Clever. And so British.

If you're an anglophile like myself-and let's face it, you probably are-then it is time to jump on the Downtown Abbey bandwagon. Don't be afraid. We have tea and crumpets here. Still not convinced? Let me present my top five reasons to move Downtown.

1. Mystery and Intrigue- The base of any good show. Downtown has it in spades.

2. Attractive Englishmen - Does this need an explanation?

3. Attractive Englishmen with English accents - Just in case the point above did not hit home.

4. Dame Maggie Smith - This woman is a bamf. Don't believe me? Watch just one episode.

5. A Whole New World - Downtown Abbey is a gateway show. It will open up an entire new world of Masterpiece and BBC wonder. And that is reason enough to watch!

Already watch Downtown Abbey? I found this fantastic article on HelloGiggles with lots of fun recommendations for shows to watch! Most of them are on Netflix instant, too!

So, no more excuses people! Get your English Breakfast tea, your comfiest seat and start watching!

Sloth Saturday

I know you've probably all seen this, but it is far too adorable not to share. I now want a sloth. And a Kristen Bell.

Any other fun videos out in the blogosphere? Link them up in the comment section! I love discovering new videos!

Chewy Lemon Cookies

I recently started watching The Chew, and while the show definitely has a few kinks to work out, it's still pretty entertaining (especially when compared to the awful The Revolution that follows). The hosts are personable and dialogue flows--something that when it's missing makes talk shows rrreeaalllyy awkward.

Monday's episode was all about guilty pleasures. The hosts talked about decadent pastas and desserts. One of them made a mimosa that had me wishing it was after five. And Clinton Kelly reaffirmed his place in my heart by coming clean with his love of ironing and Judge Judy.

What a man.

I used to love Judge Judy. When I was a wee teen, I would come home from school and hole up on the couch with my carton of ice cream and Judy.

Mom, if you're reading this you now know why we would go through so much ice cream.

I never really understood the cases Judy listened to (who cares about your stupid flower pot?!) but I liked her don't-mess-attitude, and how cool was it that she had that security guard guy bring her all the evidence? That's real power-never leaving the bench.

She also had an uncanny resemblance to my grandmother.

I haven't watched Judge Judy in years, but I would totally be open to a little quality JJ time with Clinton Kelly. Hey Clint, you can take this as an open invitation. I'll even let you iron my shirts.

What are your guilty pleasures?

Mine are cookies. All types. All shapes. Give me a cookie and I am a very happy girl :D

These cookies below were made for my Christmas cookie baskets that I give to my family each year. I'm a bit late in posting them, but thankfully cookie recipes don't go stale. Hope you give them a try!

Chewy Lemon Cookies

Ingredients:

2 cups, plus 2 tbsp all-purpose flour

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp salt

1 stick unsalted butter, melted and cooled

1 cup granulated sugar

1/4 cup brown sugar

1 egg + 1 yolk, room temperature

2 tbsp lemon juice (preferably fresh)

2 tsp grated lemon zest (can omit if you don't have fresh lemon juice)

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 tsp lemon extract

Direction:

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

In a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter and sugar. Add eggs and once combined, whisk in the vanilla and lemon extracts, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Mix in the flour mixture until a dough forms. Don't be afraid to use your hands, here!

Scoop golf-ball sized balls of dough onto a prepared pan about 2 inches apart. Bake for 10-12 minutes, until the middle is set and the edges are slightly golden. Let rest on baking sheet for 5 minutes. Cool completely on a wire rack.

These are great cookie for gifts, as they're nice and sturdy. Put them in cute little bags and share with friends!

Or eat them all yourself. That's cool, too.

Source: How Sweet Eats

Pet Peeve Wednesday: Chatty Bathroom People

Earlier this week I was in the bathroom, doing my business, when these two women loudly entered the bathroom. They went to their separate stalls and proceeded to hold a conversation over the towering divider of the bathroom stalls.

Now, call me crazy, but I am someone who firmly believes that the only sounds coming from bathroom stalls should be of the natural variety. Don't talk about the guy from your office who picks all of the banana Laffy Taffys out of the candy bowl. Don't bring up your latest date either, or how that one friend of yours needs to just drop the candy bar and jump on a treadmill. You make everyone else in the bathroom feel uncomfortable while you yammer on as if you were at a coffee shop. Save it for the cubicle. For the sink. At the very least, save it for after the flush.

Seriously people, There is no story that is so pertinent that it needs to be told when your pants are down. Hold the story. Take a dramatic pause. Do whatever you need to, but please, let me pee in peace.